How to replace the steering wheel?

AGLA did. After about one year I got it back but I had to call them like 1-2 times a week, every week. It turned out better than what they gave me first time around. I made my point with them. I wanted no wrinkles on the face of the steering wheel. Tiny waves next to the stiching are ok (even brand new BMW alcantara wheels have them). They managed to do a good job. I can live with it. The wheel has no wrinkles, only waves next to the stitching, which from my experience with the ZHP wheel will slowly diminish anyway. Plus the stiching is very well done this time around.

And yes, I have the wheel like the one on the car, sans the slip ring. I would like to put the new wheel on the car reusing the slip ring.

Thanks,
Florian

The quality of the wheel is fairly good this time around. I am generally very picky with things like this and thus I cannot say that is very good. I will see if I can live with it. I will also post some pics when I am done with the install so you have an idea on how it looks. Regardless please keep me up to date on the wheels you are trying.

BTW, how soon can I disconect the airbag connector? Do I have to disconnect the battery? Any special precautions about handling the airbag?

Thanks,
Florian

What kind of torque do the T30 screws have? I had the airbag cover replaced recently under warranty because the BMW logo finish was chipping and now I cannot loosen those stupid screws. I am curious if they used an impact gun for those

On my way to get some better Torx tools that would allow me to put more torque to unfasten those screws. Now I only have a bit set. I will soon have a socket set as well.

Florian

Thanks Ron,

I finally got it done. I wanted to be super careful while doing it and I took my sweet time. No big problems other than the unexpected run to get a set of torx sockets (I only had bits) and the fact that the lower part of the steering wheel column cover has to go off to be able to reinsert the slip ring connector back into the slip ring.

I took a short test drive too and nothing seems to be out of ordinary for now. Car drives fine as usually. Steering is ok. BTW I love the new thicker steering wheel feel. Even if the wheel does not look perfect as I said the feel is a huge improvement over the stock one.

I will post pics in a few days.

Thanks again,
Florian

P.S. Just because I wanted to be super safe I also disconnected the battery and waited 1 hour after that to do anything to the airbag. Even if unnecessay, I just wanted to make sure I do not get my head blown off by that airbag thinggy.

mng said:

Florian,

If you don't mind, what did Alan charge you? I'm interested in seeing the pics. Although if it were a year long process , i would not be a happy camper....

i wonder if dwm has made any progress....

Click to expand...

From what I remember (it was a year back) it was around $250.

Florian