How to SAFELY remove steering wheel

JD3 · 12-28-2013, 10:37 AM

Hi there, was wanting to put on new shift paddles but removing the airbag/steering wheel is a little intimidating. I know you're supposed to detatch the negative battery cable, but is that it? I know some cars airbags can deploy even with the negative battery cable cut or disconnected?
Anything to make me feel better would be appreciated. Thanks!

Grapesape · 12-28-2013, 06:27 PM

You can do it without removing the steering wheel. You have to remove the airbag, which is easy. There are 2 tiny holes on the left and right of the steering column. Do a search for a EAS video. Without removing the steering wheel, it's hard to remove/unclip the shifting mechanism and therefore you only have a couple inches to work with to change the shifters. Be VERY careful not to lose the ball bearing. I laid down a towel just in case so it wouldn't go under the seat if I dropped it.

Grapesape · 12-28-2013, 06:30 PM

Couple more things. I've read to make sure you don't turn the car on and turn Bluetooth off. EAS says you don't need to disconnect battery.

JD3 · 12-28-2013, 07:02 PM

Thanks, ill probably just take the wheel off like they doin the video, i just want to ensure no aaccidents happen.

Yvette · 12-29-2013, 01:44 AM

i removed airbag or steering wheel multiple times, and didn't bother removing battery terminals. and they are fine.

JD3 · 12-30-2013, 08:41 AM

Thx, sounds like i may be paranoid, haha.

JD3 · 12-30-2013, 11:20 AM

Fyi, i called Turner Motorsports and the service tech said to disconnect the negative terminal and wait about 30 minutes to let the bag discharge.

THE TECH · 12-31-2013, 09:34 AM

No need to disconnect battery IMO. It's quite simple and there is really no danger to doing it. If it were that dangerous, no one would want to drive in a car with one.

JD3 · 01-01-2014, 11:26 AM

I did the switch yesterday, very easy. Remember, airbags are notihing to mess with so proceed at your own risk. I took every precaution. Just YouTube Russian airbag for proof.
A few tips:
1. Unhook neg battery cable and make sure it cant accidentally touch the battery after its off.
2. Let the bag discharge for at least 30 min.
3. Dont close your trunk if you dont have a key hole.
4. The holes to depress the airbag clips are nearly invisible. Actually looks like a poke in the wheel rather than a hole.
5. You dont have to push hard, when you hit the clip youll know it.
6. Once the wheels off you dont necessarily need to unclip the paddle Shifter cables. I had trouble with mine.

12-28-2013, 10:37 AM	#1
JD3 Major 195 Rep 1,229 Posts Drives: 09 e92 M3, DCT. Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (3)	How to SAFELY remove steering wheel Hi there, was wanting to put on new shift paddles but removing the airbag/steering wheel is a little intimidating. I know you're supposed to detatch the negative battery cable, but is that it? I know some cars airbags can deploy even with the negative battery cable cut or disconnected? Anything to make me feel better would be appreciated. Thanks!
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12-28-2013, 06:27 PM	#2
Grapesape Private First Class 12 Rep 125 Posts Drives: 2016 Mineral white m4 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Phoenix iTrader: (0)	You can do it without removing the steering wheel. You have to remove the airbag, which is easy. There are 2 tiny holes on the left and right of the steering column. Do a search for a EAS video. Without removing the steering wheel, it's hard to remove/unclip the shifting mechanism and therefore you only have a couple inches to work with to change the shifters. Be VERY careful not to lose the ball bearing. I laid down a towel just in case so it wouldn't go under the seat if I dropped it.
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12-28-2013, 06:30 PM	#3
Grapesape Private First Class 12 Rep 125 Posts Drives: 2016 Mineral white m4 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Phoenix iTrader: (0)	Couple more things. I've read to make sure you don't turn the car on and turn Bluetooth off. EAS says you don't need to disconnect battery.
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12-28-2013, 07:02 PM	#4
JD3 Major 195 Rep 1,229 Posts Drives: 09 e92 M3, DCT. Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (3)	Thanks, ill probably just take the wheel off like they doin the video, i just want to ensure no aaccidents happen.
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12-29-2013, 01:44 AM	#5
Yvette Major General 761 Rep 7,408 Posts Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (19)	i removed airbag or steering wheel multiple times, and didn't bother removing battery terminals. and they are fine.
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12-30-2013, 08:41 AM	#6
JD3 Major 195 Rep 1,229 Posts Drives: 09 e92 M3, DCT. Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (3)	Thx, sounds like i may be paranoid, haha.
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12-30-2013, 11:20 AM	#7
JD3 Major 195 Rep 1,229 Posts Drives: 09 e92 M3, DCT. Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (3)	Fyi, i called Turner Motorsports and the service tech said to disconnect the negative terminal and wait about 30 minutes to let the bag discharge.
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12-31-2013, 09:34 AM	#8
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 307 Rep 13,093 Posts Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas iTrader: (45) Garage List 2013 Nissan GTR [0.00] 2019 Sierra Denali ... [0.00] 1999 Nissan Silvia [0.00] 1999 Nissan Skyline ... [0.00] 1998 Toyota Supra [0.00]	No need to disconnect battery IMO. It's quite simple and there is really no danger to doing it. If it were that dangerous, no one would want to drive in a car with one.
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01-01-2014, 11:26 AM	#9
JD3 Major 195 Rep 1,229 Posts Drives: 09 e92 M3, DCT. Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (3)	I did the switch yesterday, very easy. Remember, airbags are notihing to mess with so proceed at your own risk. I took every precaution. Just YouTube Russian airbag for proof. A few tips: 1. Unhook neg battery cable and make sure it cant accidentally touch the battery after its off. 2. Let the bag discharge for at least 30 min. 3. Dont close your trunk if you dont have a key hole. 4. The holes to depress the airbag clips are nearly invisible. Actually looks like a poke in the wheel rather than a hole. 5. You dont have to push hard, when you hit the clip youll know it. 6. Once the wheels off you dont necessarily need to unclip the paddle Shifter cables. I had trouble with mine.
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