Taking Steering Wheel off

[Dean5]

Hello all, I recently purchased some aftermarket paddle shifters, and now I have to put them on. I watched the video by EAS on YouTube, but I can't seem to get the steering wheel off. I have a 2009 e92 coupe, so if anyone has any suggestions or knows anything that could help, please let me know. Thanks

[M3ANMACHINE]

It's very simple. Make sure your battery is unplugged.

Take a flathead screwdriver and stick it horizontally into the holes on the back of the steering wheel, one by one. You should feel the airbag spring depress when you press into the wheel with the screwdriver. Pull the airbag off slightly on the first side, then when you move to the next side pull the airbag off completely. It will be attached by some wires.

Once the airbag is off it's very straight forward

[Dean5]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

It's very simple. Make sure your battery is unplugged.

Take a flathead screwdriver and stick it horizontally into the holes on the back of the steering wheel, one by one. You should feel the airbag spring depress when you press into the wheel with the screwdriver. Pull the airbag off slightly on the first side, then when you move to the next side pull the airbag off completely. It will be attached by some wires.

Once the airbag is off it's very straight forward

Thank you, I found a video on it. My confusion was the fact that I needed to poke a hole to get through the hole to release the airbag. Glad I got it though.

[AlpineE92M3]

Originally Posted by Dean5

Thank you, I found a video on it. My confusion was the fact that I needed to poke a hole to get through the hole to release the airbag. Glad I got it though.

There are little slits in the leather on each side of the steering wheel. Look closely for them, you will see them. They are big enough to get a small flathead
screwdriver in there. No need to poke any extra holes.

[Dean5]

Originally Posted by AlpineE92M3

There are little slits in the leather on each side of the steering wheel. Look closely for them, you will see them. They are big enough to get a small flathead
screwdriver in there. No need to poke any extra holes.

Yes I found the small holes that you use to take off the steering wheel trim, but to take off the airbag there are holes that are covered leather, and that is the only way to get to the airbag springs. The holes covered by leather feel like indentations. That is what all the videos were showing as well

[tinman831]

Originally Posted by Dean5

Yes I found the small holes that you use to take off the steering wheel trim, but to take off the airbag there are holes that are covered leather, and that is the only way to get to the airbag springs. The holes covered by leather feel like indentations. That is what all the videos were showing as well

I believe you both are talking about the same holes used to remove the airbag.

[AlpineE92M3]

Originally Posted by Dean5

Yes I found the small holes that you use to take off the steering wheel trim, but to take off the airbag there are holes that are covered leather, and that is the only way to get to the airbag springs. The holes covered by leather feel like indentations. That is what all the videos were showing as well

No you are thinking of the holes in the back of the steering wheel where the screws are for the trim. On the side of the steering wheel, in the leather, the slits in the leather to take the airbag out are barely noticeable. But they are there.

[AlpineE92M3]

Originally Posted by tinman831

I believe you both are talking about the same holes used to remove the airbag.

I think so...lol

[thekurgan]

It's easier to remove the cover trim (with buttons and M badge) so you can see the spring you're supposed to compress.

You can remove the cover trim carefully by removing 3 torx screws behind the wheel and unplugging the buttons; extremely simple.

[M3ANMACHINE]

Idk why people are having so much difficulty with this. I swapped my whole steering wheel in about 15 minutes from start to finish a couple weeks ago. Just gently stick the flathead into the slit on the back of the steering wheel, and push it straight inwards. The spring is straight through the hole...

[Dean5]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

It's easier to remove the cover trim (with buttons and M badge) so you can see the spring you're supposed to compress.

You can remove the cover trim carefully by removing 3 torx screws behind the wheel and unplugging the buttons; extremely simple.

Being able to just remove the springs by poking the hole was easier. My problem with trying to take the trim off was the fact that I couldn't manage to fit the screwdriver behind the wheel to get them off. Either way, I got it taken care of

[Dean5]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

Idk why people are having so much difficulty with this. I swapped my whole steering wheel in about 15 minutes from start to finish a couple weeks ago. Just gently stick the flathead into the slit on the back of the steering wheel, and push it straight inwards. The spring is straight through the hole...

I'm not sure what slit you are talking about. There were 2 indentations that required me to poke through the leather to get to the airbag springs. Either way I got it off and taken care of

[tinman831]

Originally Posted by Dean5

I'm not sure what slit you are talking about. There were 2 indentations that required me to poke through the leather to get to the airbag springs. Either way I got it off and taken care of

Your "indentations" or "holes" = his "slits". Yall are talking about the same thing.

[Dean5]

I suppose I should post a picture of the finish product. The paddles are darker in person, and I painted the plus and minus signs red.