# Steering wheel, remove and install.

NOTE : Moving the steering wheel is not a desired act for correction of a faulty or poorly done wheel alignment. Placing the steering wheel off center compared to the steering rack can result in unpredictable steering reaction. Power steering racks have a neutral position which must be maintained when adjusting wheel alignment and steering wheel position.

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Non SRS vehicles :

Gently pry out the BMW emblem in the center of the wheel. |
Remove the 22mm (7/8") nut from the shaft. |
CAUTION: Do not lever against the steering wheel lock to loosen the nut, this will damage the lock. Instead, get out of the car, hold the ratchet with one hand and the wheel with the other and loosen that way.
After removing the nut and washer, but before moving the wheel, mark the column and wheel so that the wheel can be returned to the same position.
Turn ignition cylinder to position one to release the steering wheel lock.
Pull off wheel. |

#### SRS equipped vehicles :

DANGER: Extreme risk of serious injury if air bag deploys during removal. These instructions should be followed without deviation in order to prevent accidental injury.
Disconnect negative cable from battery |
WAIT 30 MINUTES! To allow system capacitor to discharge. |
Remove the small rectangular cover on the lower column housing. |
Disconnect the lead to the slip ring. |
Located near the center of the wheel, in the rear, are two T30 Torx screws. These screws are retained in the wheel by clips, loosen them until the air bag comes free, screws remain in the wheel. |
Lift off the air bag and disconnect the wiring to the bag. |

DANGER: Place the air bag face up, outside of the vehicle, preferably in the trunk, where no injury can occur if it deploys. While it is highly unlikely that a disconnected air bag will deploy, the potential result of such a deployment requires due care be taken.

Remove the 22mm (7/8") nut from the shaft. |
CAUTION: Do not lever against the steering wheel lock to loosen the nut, this will damage the lock. Instead, get out of the car, hold the ratchet with one hand and the wheel with the other and loosen that way.
After removing the nut and washer, but before moving the wheel, mark the column and wheel so that the wheel can be returned to the same position.
Turn ignition cylinder to position one to release the steering wheel lock, lift off wheel.
NOTE: Turning ignition key beyond position one with the battery still connected will result in an SRS fault, causing illumination of the SRS light which requires special equipment to reset.
NOTE : Do not turn the steering wheel while this bolt is loose or removed. The locking mechanism of the slip ring will be damaged.

NOTE : The slip ring must not be rotated with wheel removed. There is a locking tab that prevents the slip ring from turning when the bolt securing the steering wheel is loosened. Rotating the slip ring will result in damage to this lock and subsequent damage to the slip ring.

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Installation (all):

CAUTION: Ensure turn signal switch is in the neutral position when installing the steering wheel. Installing steering wheel with the turn signal switch activated in either direction will result in damage to the self canceling mechanism on the turn signal switch.

NOTE : Moving the steering wheel is not a desired act for correction of a faulty or poorly done wheel alignment.
Place the steering wheel back on the splines so that the marks line up. |
Airbag connector gives a positive click when correctly installed. It takes some effort to properly engage the connector to the rear of the bag.
Tighten the right air bag mounting screw first. |
Reconnect slip ring wiring and secure steering wheel and air bag before reconnecting battery lead.
If slip ring must be centered for any reason, hold down the locking tab and turn ring completely to stop in one direction. Now wind ring back 3 turns and release the lock when the two arrows line up on the third turn.

### Torques:

Steering wheel | : | 80 Nm (58 ft lbs.)
Air bag screws | : | 8 Nm (6 ft lbs.)

E30 M3 Repair Manual V2.7. Copyright ©1999-2001 Koala Motorsport & Brett Anderson