Taking off the steering wheel?

Post Wed Jan 19, 2005 3:50 pm

Just got a ripspeed wheel i won on e-bay, so need to take the old wheel off.

Do you just prize (sp?) off te BMW badge in the centre and then undo some nut, then just keep pulling?

Also, do you attemp it with steering lock on, or off?

Cheers Adam

Post Wed Jan 19, 2005 3:55 pm

i took mine off recently n i took the badge off, undid the nut n it came off real easy after that!

Post Wed Jan 19, 2005 4:20 pm

The wheel will only pull off the column with the steering lock off, otherwise you will be there for ages trying to figure out whats holding it on.

Not that this happened to me

Guest · Post Wed Jan 19, 2005 4:23 pm

Steering lock has to be off or you wont be able to pull the wheel off. Pry the center badge off with a small screwdriver. Then you have to get a 22mm socket (might be 23, I cant remember, but most big nuts in e30s are 22) and remove the nut. I'd suggest a breakerbar since it's on there pretty tight. Then you can just pull it off and slide your new one in.

Post Wed Jan 19, 2005 4:25 pm

jmc330i wrote:The wheel will only pull off the column with the steering lock off, otherwise you will be there for ages trying to figure out whats holding it on.

Not that this happened to me

really?!!

good thing the steerin lock wasnt on mine then or i'd still be pullin now hehe

Post Wed Jan 19, 2005 4:50 pm

Sometimes the steering wheel can stick on. When you undo the 22mm nut, don't take it all the way off, just leave it on the end of the thread and then pull the wheel off. When it's lose, fully remove the nut and remove the steering wheel.

It just avoids smacking yourself in a face... and I've heard of a few instances where this has happened!!!!

Post Wed Jan 19, 2005 6:07 pm

lol, ok thanks for your help guys, will change the wheel tomorow.

Adam

Post Wed Jan 19, 2005 6:11 pm

gear nobs are another favourite for clumping yourself in the face!

Post Wed Jan 19, 2005 6:19 pm

Simon13 wrote:gear nobs are another favourite for clumping yourself in the face!

Aint that the truth

Post Wed Jan 19, 2005 6:31 pm

Post Wed Jan 19, 2005 6:55 pm

Thats another thing i've bought a gear knob, now do you get them off?

Thanks Adam

Post Wed Jan 19, 2005 7:13 pm

pull it of the shaft as hard as u can, and avoid punchin yourself out when it finally does slip off

to put it back on , line it up straight as it was before and push down until u hear a solid clik

Post Fri Jan 21, 2005 12:01 am

Well the gear knob came off easy enough, but the steering wheel is a pig!!

Is there some trick to it?

The steering lock is OFF, and im cranking it anti-clockwise but it just wont budge, maybe im just a wimp

Its also quite hard trying to hold the wheel and use the wrench thing.Can you turn the steering wheel until it is on full lock then try undoing the nut or will this break something?

cheers Adam

Post Fri Jan 21, 2005 12:52 am

dude, hold the wheel and lean into the turn, your bodyweight should undo it. or do the wd40 thing and soak her overnight.

Post Fri Jan 21, 2005 12:55 am

I've never found a steering wheel bolt tight......

But if you put it to full lock, and undo it then it should be ok.....?

But before it's off, return it to the central position so it's easier to line up when putting it back on.

Post Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:56 am

Hmm ok, and yea, i sprayed it all with WD40,

Post Fri Jan 21, 2005 10:57 am

I'm just about to aquire a 3 spoke for mine, but i'm totally inept at stuff like that, if there's anyone in SW london that would be willing to do it for me (obviuosly a drink involved) that would be cool.

Many thanks

Post Fri Jan 21, 2005 11:03 am

put the steering wheel lock on and undo the nut, they are normally easy unless it has been removed before and then done up really tight. once you have cracked the nut loose turn the steering wheel lock off. leave the nut on the shaft untill you know the wheel will come off easy so you dont damaged yourself.

also this new wheel you have, i hope it has a boss fitting hub other wise youre talking Ãƒ”šÃ‚£50 minimum to purchase one.

Post Fri Jan 21, 2005 11:50 am

Yes it has the correct boss

Ok well i'll try again today and see if it comes off.

Thanks Adam

Post Fri Jan 21, 2005 12:43 pm

Yeah,

that's what I did, is put the wheel lock on, undo the nut pull off the steering wheel, with it facing as centrally as possible, mark on the column with something sharp which way faces up!

Pull off steering wheel (with ignition on so that steering lock is OFF) it should come off easily with a bit of side to side movement.

Put new one one, do up nut tight (put steering lock on do do the nut up tight) and put centre cap back on.

That is it. It's an easy easy job.

Post Sat Jan 22, 2005 4:01 pm

Thanks all sorted now guys, gear knob and wheel are both on

Thanks Adam