How do I get the switch plates off my steering wheel?

monkey_wrench · 11-28-2011, 02:51 PM

Mine has just the two piece, with multi-function, how do I take these two plates off? Do I need to remove the airbag for it? How does it come of?

Here (#4) is what I want to take off.

JDLM · 11-28-2011, 02:54 PM

Yes you have to remove the airbag (there is a DIY for replacement of the steering wheel)

N0OS3 · 11-28-2011, 03:32 PM

i spent a good half an hour trying to take my airbag off... and with no luck... a buddy of mine tried it too and we figure it's glued on there for some reason cuz he bent his screwdriver trying to get those spring clips off the airbag... >__<
Purpose was to remove the same buttons as OP to overlay in gloss black vinyl... maybe i'll try again at a later date

@OP: if you can't figure out from the DIY section, try YOUTUBE... there's tons of instructions there for various projects

B-737 · 11-28-2011, 06:28 PM

you bent the driver because your pushing against the air bag bracket and not the release levers.

with a long thin flat head, carefully push the lever in, you'll feel it move when you push against it.

i put a leather conditioner over my driver so it was easier on the wheel cover.

the driver needs to be parallel to the floor. the flat head needs to be only wide enough to keep it stable as it pushes the lever, which is only about 2-3 millimeters wide. Theres no forcing anything, so if your pushing and nothings moving, your not on the lever. removing the airbag is a 5 minute job.

in this photo you can see the airbag release levers through the windows on ever side of the airbag bracket.

11-28-2011, 02:51 PM	#1
monkey_wrench Caught the Bimmer-Bug 52 Rep 639 Posts Drives: '06 330i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Florida iTrader: (10) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	How do I get the switch plates off my steering wheel? Mine has just the two piece, with multi-function, how do I take these two plates off? Do I need to remove the airbag for it? How does it come of? Here (#4) is what I want to take off.
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11-28-2011, 02:54 PM	#2
JDLM Banned 74 Rep 3,276 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Kansas iTrader: (4)	Yes you have to remove the airbag (there is a DIY for replacement of the steering wheel)
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11-28-2011, 03:32 PM	#3
N0OS3 Colonel 151 Rep 2,217 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oak Harbor, WA iTrader: (5)	i spent a good half an hour trying to take my airbag off... and with no luck... a buddy of mine tried it too and we figure it's glued on there for some reason cuz he bent his screwdriver trying to get those spring clips off the airbag... >__< Purpose was to remove the same buttons as OP to overlay in gloss black vinyl... maybe i'll try again at a later date @OP: if you can't figure out from the DIY section, try YOUTUBE... there's tons of instructions there for various projects
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11-28-2011, 06:28 PM	#4
B-737 Captain 50 Rep 825 Posts Drives: a car. Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Jersey Shore iTrader: (6) Garage List 2011 328 xi [7.26]	you bent the driver because your pushing against the air bag bracket and not the release levers. with a long thin flat head, carefully push the lever in, you'll feel it move when you push against it. i put a leather conditioner over my driver so it was easier on the wheel cover. the driver needs to be parallel to the floor. the flat head needs to be only wide enough to keep it stable as it pushes the lever, which is only about 2-3 millimeters wide. Theres no forcing anything, so if your pushing and nothings moving, your not on the lever. removing the airbag is a 5 minute job. in this photo you can see the airbag release levers through the windows on ever side of the airbag bracket. __________________
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