Steering wheel removal - Help choose my design - Final choice

Ryandoc

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Folks

Have sent of an enquiry somewhere regards getting my 2009 GTS steering wheel re-trimmed.

Assuming I go ahead, what’s the idiots guide on removing the steering wheel please, step by step if possible.

Aware of the airbag so hence correct steps to do things.

Ta
 
Last edited:

Ryandoc

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Actually just found a brilliant 18 minute vid on YouTube.

Two holes to push in and push the air bag out.

Disconnect the two air bag electrical connections.

Disconnect the steering wheel control electrical connection.

Remove nut

Job jobbed
 

Zep

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But don’t forget to disconnect the battery 30 mins before hand to make the airbag safe.
 

Ryandoc

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But don’t forget to disconnect the battery 30 mins before hand to make the airbag safe.

Thanks for that. I didn’t actually listen to the video as sat in tv lounge offshore so it might have said that but thanks Zep.

Anything else I should be aware of then? I assume installation is literally just the reverse then connect battery back up ?
 

Zep

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I've never done it on a GTS, but I did it on my old GS and several other cars.

Just don't connect the battery with the airbag disconnected - it could bring up a code that needs a reset with a diagnostic.
 

Ryandoc

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Perfect thanks again Zep.

I’ve gone to royal steering wheels with an enquiry. Something that I’ve been meaning to look into for a while as I do like a chubby one lol
 

Bebs

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Perfect thanks again Zep.

I’ve gone to royal steering wheels with an enquiry. Something that I’ve been meaning to look into for a while as I do like a chubby one lol

Royal steering wheels are ace. He retrimmed the steering wheel on a previously owned 545i for me.
Top quality job.
Do post some photos before and after, I’d be interested to see the finished result as my GTS might want an upgrade..
 

Ryandoc

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What sort of price was it Bebs? I’ve actually been aware of royal steering wheels for years, isn’t he called jack? In my BMW days a lot of folk were praising his work.
 

Bebs

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I honestly can’t remember how much it was.. it was 5-6 years ago. £200ish possibly.
Yes Jack, that’s the guy. I was extremely impressed with his work!
 

Ryandoc

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Perfect thanks Bebs. His work does indeed look superb and always has great reviews.

I always remember the only issue folk had with him years ago was turn around time but he’s quoting a couple weeks now, wonder if business has picked up and he’s got a couple extra hands in but no doubt he would oversee everything and maintain quality, unless I’m talking rubbish and he’s just got a lot quicker lol
 

Bebs

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I think he works from home as I went to his house to have mine fitted. I’m sure it was around 2 weeks as well.
Do put some pics up.
 

Ryandoc

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I definitely will.

I have the Alcantara package so just looking to stay the same but much thicker on the wheel and I fancy black Alcantara and black perforated leather where as my Alcantara is currently like a gun metal grey.
That would actually make it different from the rest of the Alcantara so need to decide on black 100% but I think a steering wheel is almost a standalone item and so wouldn’t mess the look up ?

60951
 

Ryandoc

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Not sure whether to do that design thing whereby you split up the top middle and bottom sections like this?

60952

60953
 

Wattie

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Pretty sure iainw did a steering wheel revamp on his car a while back.
Dunno who he used but the result was good, might be worth a Pm.
 

Bebs

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3,271
I definitely will.

I have the Alcantara package so just looking to stay the same but much thicker on the wheel and I fancy black Alcantara and black perforated leather where as my Alcantara is currently like a gun metal grey.
That would actually make it different from the rest of the Alcantara so need to decide on black 100% but I think a steering wheel is almost a standalone item and so wouldn’t mess the look up ?

View attachment 60951

I would definitely go all black it it was mine. I’d also go with the split top and bottom.. looks far more modern.
 

Ryandoc

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Agreed, really like the one in the pic above so just waiting on first contact from royal and then will send back that pic and say how much for this.

Itching for the contact now as want to get it done.