Air bag securing methods warning

330d xdrive Scotty · 03-22-2014, 04:16 PM

Hi all, i purchased some DCT paddles to fit vice the existing push pull variant, and after watching and reading the net for airbag removal, i just couldnt get the damn thing to release. I then found that there are two different securing methods used by BMW. The most common ? appears to be the screw driver 'straight up' into the hole and slide to release the spring.

The second less documented type (my one !) is the screwdriver at angles in each hole to 'push' the spring arm and release the airbag.

I have tried to show this in the picture and hopefully help other people avoid making the same mistake as me.

themanthatcan · 03-22-2014, 05:47 PM

I removed my airbag today to plastidip the main wheel cover and can confirm that my wheel looks the same as yours and the airbag came out in the same way. My old E46 also used the same method so I imagine it's pretty common across BMWs.

Tipper · 03-22-2014, 09:14 PM

The SE wheel with the 'triangular' airbag uses a different method.

The screwdriver to release the airbag needs to slide in vertically rather than horizontally and the spring clip release is effected by levering the clips sideways. Difficult to explain in words and I don't have a photo to offer but one can be found in other threads specific to the SE wheel.

Icekube · 03-24-2014, 05:15 AM

m sport airbags are like that, at an angle

SE wheels are the straight up design.

Terryk · 03-26-2014, 03:05 PM

thanks for sharing all these infos guys. I ll replace my SE soon with a M-sport one. cheers

Tipper · 03-28-2014, 05:49 AM

I changed my wheel and airbag and now have an airbag warning lamp! I can't reset it with my BT cable and laptop so I assume there may be some incompatability somewhere. MOT due next month so may have to take it off to get the MOT which will then give me more time to sort it out.

Hope yours goes better...

03-22-2014, 04:16 PM	#1
330d xdrive Scotty Private First Class 33 Rep 100 Posts Drives: 330d xdrive m sport Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh iTrader: (1)	Air bag securing methods warning Hi all, i purchased some DCT paddles to fit vice the existing push pull variant, and after watching and reading the net for airbag removal, i just couldnt get the damn thing to release. I then found that there are two different securing methods used by BMW. The most common ? appears to be the screw driver 'straight up' into the hole and slide to release the spring. The second less documented type (my one !) is the screwdriver at angles in each hole to 'push' the spring arm and release the airbag. I have tried to show this in the picture and hopefully help other people avoid making the same mistake as me. Attached Images
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03-22-2014, 05:47 PM	#2
themanthatcan Lieutenant 19 Rep 524 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335i MSport Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Southampton, UK iTrader: (0)	I removed my airbag today to plastidip the main wheel cover and can confirm that my wheel looks the same as yours and the airbag came out in the same way. My old E46 also used the same method so I imagine it's pretty common across BMWs.
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03-22-2014, 09:14 PM	#3
Tipper Private First Class 11 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 2007 E91 320d SE auto Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Devon, UK iTrader: (0)	The SE wheel with the 'triangular' airbag uses a different method. The screwdriver to release the airbag needs to slide in vertically rather than horizontally and the spring clip release is effected by levering the clips sideways. Difficult to explain in words and I don't have a photo to offer but one can be found in other threads specific to the SE wheel.
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03-24-2014, 05:15 AM	#4
Icekube Captain 48 Rep 891 Posts Drives: E87 130i Join Date: May 2013 Location: Livingston iTrader: (3)	m sport airbags are like that, at an angle SE wheels are the straight up design.
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03-26-2014, 03:05 PM	#5
Terryk Second Lieutenant 30 Rep 231 Posts Drives: F30 mineral grey N47 ed Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hertfordshire, UK iTrader: (0)	thanks for sharing all these infos guys. I ll replace my SE soon with a M-sport one. cheers __________________ F30 mineral grey N47 ed
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03-28-2014, 05:49 AM	#6
Tipper Private First Class 11 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 2007 E91 320d SE auto Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Devon, UK iTrader: (0)	I changed my wheel and airbag and now have an airbag warning lamp! I can't reset it with my BT cable and laptop so I assume there may be some incompatability somewhere. MOT due next month so may have to take it off to get the MOT which will then give me more time to sort it out. Hope yours goes better...
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