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Anonymous Posted on Apr 28, 2014

Removing the steering wheel of a BMW E46 - 2000 BMW 3 Series

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Mark Struss

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  • BMW Expert 196 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 02, 2015
Mark Struss
BMW Expert
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Joined: Jun 03, 2009
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The airbag is removed by 4 torx screws from the back side. Disconnect the battery before removing the airbag or the airbag light will stay on and you will have to pay the dealer a bunch of money to reset it. Don't reconnect the battery until the airbag is replaces and the electrical connection is in place. Once the airbag is off, there is a 22 mm nut that holds the wheel on. After you take the nut off mark the shaft and wheel with a grease pencil so you know exactly how to put it back on or you will be driving crooked later. Then the wheel just slips of with a tug.

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 126 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 18, 2009

SOURCE: 1999 bmw steering wheel removal

once you get the airbag removed, the wheel is secured to the shaft with a nut. can't remember what size it is, but i remember i didn't have to go out and buy a special socket for it.

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Anonymous

  • 104 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 28, 2009

SOURCE: Remove me Steering wheel bmw 1999 e46 3 series

Disconnect negative battery cable. Locate airbag retentions on back of steering wheel. Unbolt or unclip retention devices, and release airbag. Then: Unplug airbag electrical connector. Remove nut or bolt in center of steering wheel with pneumatic impact wrench if necessary . Using appropriate steering wheel removal tool kit, carefully remove steering wheel, paying attention to associated wires, etc. Unplug anything not accompanying wheel, or that is in the way. Pay close attention to any rods, or contact pieces associated with the horn button(s.) Replace these upon reinstall. Reverse order to install including tightening center bolt to 35-55 ft-lbs. If this is your first stg wheel removal, try an old chevy, preferrably someone else's! If inexperienced, don't risk bruising your favorite Bimmer!!! Hope this helps you make your decision. Tater Todd

Anonymous

  • 580 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 10, 2009

SOURCE: reset the wheel sensors on BMW e46

If you took this in and had BMW do the work to fix it and it is not fixed why do you not return to BMW and get it fixed, If you have paid for a repair and the repair did not solve the problem have them refund your money.

Anonymous

  • 1986 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 29, 2009

SOURCE: removal and replament of a 3 Series BMW E46 1998 saloon wing mirr

On the inside trim, you can remove screws that are by the door handle, arm rest, under door and side of door and then gently pull back on the panel as there will also be retaining clips attached and you don't want to break them. You'll need to lift the door panel upwards in order to get it off the window ledge. Then you'll need to manipulate the panel and disconnect the door handle linkage from the door handle and disconnect the wiring for your controls. Then you can access the bolts that secure the mirror onto the door

Anonymous

  • 438 Answers
  • Posted on Oct 07, 2009

SOURCE: How to remove the steering wheel from a 318 E46

Disconnect the negative battery terminal using a 10mm wrench and secure it away from the battery. Allow the car to sit for 10 minutes before attempting to continue.Locate the two airbag release holes behind the top of the steering wheel. Insert a thin flat bladed screw driver through the hole and push on the airbag retention spring. When the spring is pushed in, the airbag will release. It can take a little time to find the spring, so be patient. Repeat the same step on the other side of the steering wheel. Lift airbag away from steering wheel and locate connectors on back of airbag. Using a small flat blade screwdriver, Pry the connector clip upwards. Once the tab is up, unplug and repeat on the other connector. Store airbag in a safe place with the front facing upwards.Remove the top plug inside the steering wheel from the slip ring and move aside. Using a 16mm socket, remove the bolt in the center of the steering wheel. You will need to hold the wheel tight with one hand while you break the bolt loose with the other. A second person can hold the wheel also while bolt is broken loose. Once bolt is out, pull the wheel towards you to remove from the column.

Testimonial: "Thankyou for your reply, this has been very helpful and allows the repair of the horn to be carried out safely. Thanks again. Dave T"

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How to remove the steering wheel from a 318 E46

Disconnect the negative battery terminal using a 10mm wrench and secure it away from the battery. Allow the car to sit for 10 minutes before attempting to continue.Locate the two airbag release holes behind the top of the steering wheel. Insert a thin flat bladed screw driver through the hole and push on the airbag retention spring. When the spring is pushed in, the airbag will release. It can take a little time to find the spring, so be patient. Repeat the same step on the other side of the steering wheel. Lift airbag away from steering wheel and locate connectors on back of airbag. Using a small flat blade screwdriver, Pry the connector clip upwards. Once the tab is up, unplug and repeat on the other connector. Store airbag in a safe place with the front facing upwards.Remove the top plug inside the steering wheel from the slip ring and move aside. Using a 16mm socket, remove the bolt in the center of the steering wheel. You will need to hold the wheel tight with one hand while you break the bolt loose with the other. A second person can hold the wheel also while bolt is broken loose. Once bolt is out, pull the wheel towards you to remove from the column.
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Remove me Steering wheel bmw 1999 e46 3 series

Disconnect negative battery cable. Locate airbag retentions on back of steering wheel. Unbolt or unclip retention devices, and release airbag. Then: Unplug airbag electrical connector. Remove nut or bolt in center of steering wheel with pneumatic impact wrench if necessary . Using appropriate steering wheel removal tool kit, carefully remove steering wheel, paying attention to associated wires, etc. Unplug anything not accompanying wheel, or that is in the way. Pay close attention to any rods, or contact pieces associated with the horn button(s.) Replace these upon reinstall. Reverse order to install including tightening center bolt to 35-55 ft-lbs. If this is your first stg wheel removal, try an old chevy, preferrably someone else's! If inexperienced, don't risk bruising your favorite Bimmer!!! Hope this helps you make your decision. Tater Todd
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Steering wheel alignment

Hi

Expect Kwik Fit have adjusted the tracking / wheel alignment at some time, and adjusted one track rod more than the other. ?

Count the threads showing ! ...I expect this will become apparent.

You need to have the tracking / alignment rechecked with track rods even lengths both sides.

Then if you road test and find the steering wheel out of alignment, remove steering wheel, and move round the correct position on the steering column splines.

Hope this is of help.

Good Luck !

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Check Google with airbag light and Bmw E46 (there's shed loads of info).


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