[Kevin Harney]

I am planning on changing my paddles shifters from push/pull to pull/pull. I have read the DIY for this and it is great. In order to do this I need to remove the airbag right ? I have also read this DIY. This seems easy but it feels like I am missing something here. So to remove the air bag just disconnect the battery and stick a torx driver in the slots ?!?!?! Is that all ? Any confidence that you can give me would be appreciated !!! LOL I am not a big DIYer and have little to know experience with it. Just seems to easy to be true that is all ..... Thanks.

[Kevin Harney]

35 views and no posts is NOT very encouraging LOL Need some support here guys (and gals).

[zamba0321]

I have an M-sport stearing wheel and also considering rewiring the left side to 'down' and
the right side top 'up' so could use some DIY pictures myself as well ;-)

[Kevin Harney]

Yeah I would be happy to once I gather the info to do it. Rewiring seems to be easy. Now I just need to figure out how to get the air bag off properly.

[F104]

took me forever too. Once it's off you understand. On the DIY pictures there are two angled, pressed it slots. That's where you have to move a flathead screw driver in to move the legs of the spring clip inwards (towards the centre of the steering column), So have the screwdriver at at about a 45 degree angle instead of about parrallel to the column, and the flat side in line with the column, and aimed at the centre. I pulled the airbag up as well as mine didn't want to pop out by itself.
Word of caution - airbag is surprisingly heavy when it pops out:

[Kevin Harney]

Originally Posted by F104

took me forever too. Once it's off you understand. On the DIY pictures there are two angled, pressed it slots. That's where you have to move a flathead screw driver in to move the legs of the spring clip inwards (towards the centre of the steering column), So have the screwdriver at at about a 45 degree angle instead of about parrallel to the column, and the flat side in line with the column, and aimed at the centre. I pulled the airbag up as well as mine didn't want to pop out by itself.
Word of caution - airbag is surprisingly heavy when it pops out:

I looked and can not find the slots. Are they round holes ? I found three of them but they do not look like they would release the airbag... Mine really seem to be pointed right at the driver not sideways at all ...

[F104]

there's only two slots at the back of the steering wheel. which you use to insert the srewdriver to release the two spring clips. Nothing else is holding the airbag in. You can't see the slots (the ones at the back of the steering , m, but when you feel around with finders you can feel the holes. Simply press the screwdriver in there, the slots are self healing. I messed around forever with a scredriver putting quite some force onto it, and the slots closed after wards w/o a single mark
PS:OK think i got you now.The three (screws) your talking about hold the panel with multifunction buttons. That's no good, you can't get that off with the airbag still in. The slots are within an inch or so of the plastic cover with the stalks

[Kevin Harney]

Originally Posted by F104

there's only two slots at the back of the steering wheel. which you use to insert the srewdriver to release the two spring clips. Nothing else is holding the airbag in. You can't see the slots (the ones at the back of the steering , m, but when you feel around with finders you can feel the holes. Simply press the screwdriver in there, the slots are self healing. I messed around forever with a scredriver putting quite some force onto it, and the slots closed after wards w/o a single mark
PS:OK think i got you now.The three (screws) your talking about hold the panel with multifunction buttons. That's no good, you can't get that off with the airbag still in. The slots are within an inch or so of the plastic cover with the stalks

Thanks I will go look again. But it sounds like I will not really see anything LOL

[Kevin Harney]

OK could you please take a picture of the slot with a screwdriver in it. I am just not getting this at all. Thanks so much.

[I335]

If the wheel is still a "virgin" there may not be any slots yet and in fact, don't even go so far as making a slot - a small hole will do. In the back of your wheel about half way down the lower portion you should be able to feel a soft spot, one on each side, about the size of a pencil eraser. This is where you can push say a phillips screw driver through to get to the spring. You can do it with a flathead screw driver too but that will make a messier hole. Just use a philips about the thickness of a pencil with a head that's a little on the flat side, i.e. not too pointy.

[Kevin Harney]

Originally Posted by I335

If the wheel is still a "virgin" there may not be any slots yet and in fact, don't even go so far as making a slot - a small hole will do. In the back of your wheel about half way down the lower portion you should be able to feel a soft spot, one on each side, about the size of a pencil eraser. This is where you can push say a phillips screw driver through to get to the spring. You can do it with a flathead screw driver too but that will make a messier hole. Just use a philips about the thickness of a pencil with a head that's a little on the flat side, i.e. not too pointy.

Yes my wheel is virgin. So what you are saying is there is nothing there. I have to make it right ? Can somone snap a picture of where it is ? Thanks so much for all fo the help you guys !!

[F104]

check this thread, plenty of pictures:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11825

good luck,

[Kevin Harney]

Originally Posted by F104

check this thread, plenty of pictures:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11825

good luck,

I saw that one already. Plenty of pictures but none show where to make the hole ..... sigh ....

[F104]

On the out of focus pic with the screwdriver,run your finger along the back of the steering wheel, and along the line where the screwdriver would be behind the steering wheel. Once you found the section where you can feel the tiny hole, get a tiny screwdriver (with your other hand, otherwise you'll loose it again) insert it, and go from there.

[Kevin Harney]

Originally Posted by F104

On the out of focus pic with the screwdriver,run your finger along the back of the steering wheel, and along the line where the screwdriver would be behind the steering wheel. Once you found the section where you can feel the tiny hole, get a tiny screwdriver (with your other hand, otherwise you'll loose it again) insert it, and go from there.

On mine that whole area feels squishy. There does not seem to be a little tiny area that is soft when the rest is firm. I don't feel a hole under the cushion.

[F104]

OK last attempt, don't know how else to help you:

look hard at the picture in that thread showing the back of the steering wheel. At about one inch distance in the 7-8 o'clock postion of the hole for the right torx screw you'll see a slightly discolored area. That's your spot. The other one is just visible too, in 4-5 o'clock position of the LH torx. On the front pictures those holes are just outside the metal plate with the pressed in slots wich are there to guide the screwdriver (not the cutouts)

Might want to save picture :first and zoom in, but then it's not one inch anymore:

[Kevin Harney]

Originally Posted by F104

OK last attempt, don't know how else to help you:

look hard at the picture in that thread showing the back of the steering wheel. At about one inch distance in the 7-8 o'clock postion of the hole for the right torx screw you'll see a slightly discolored area. That's your spot. The other one is just visible too, in 4-5 o'clock position of the LH torx. On the front pictures those holes are just outside the metal plate with the pressed in slots wich are there to guide the screwdriver (not the cutouts)

Might want to save picture :first and zoom in, but then it's not one inch anymore:

I am still not seeing it I don't think. But I did notice a bubble like channel that sticks up on the front of the wheel that looks like it hits about the bottom of the releases. Is that the channel that I am looking for on the back ?

[Kevin Harney]

Are these the areas I am looking for ?

[F104]

yes!

[Kevin Harney]

I think that I am going to try it this weekend. Thansk for the patience and the help !!!