Hey guys,

Here are the promised instructions! Sorry for the delay. I have the compressed .pdf attached too with faux-toes! Wheel first then the shift lamp!

Questions or comments? Let me know.

BTW: I ordered a TON of these, so if you need one let me know!

JCW Wheel:
“Howard” Gets wheeling JCW style!

Hello folks,

Welcome to another installment of mods on “Howard” my 07 MCS! In this installment we will be installing a JCW Steering Wheel.

This is an easy a straightforward installation, but you need to be careful on some key areas. One is the AirBag! This is and can be an explosive device and you need to treat it that way. Do not just half-hazardly begin throwing it around.

Step One:

Lift Hood (or bonnet as you choose) and remove the negative battery terminal.

Step Two: Release the aforementioned air bag from the wheel it self. This is an easy to do deal by using a long punch or blunt screwdriver. See Photo Below for reference but there is an access hole at the bottom of the wheel. Push the bag forward while pushing up on the punch. Then release the air bag from the wheel. The simply remove the plug from the bag to the air bag real and the horn ground lead. Carefully set the bag horn side up someplace out of the way.

Step Three: Find a 16mm socket and connect it to a rachet/extension. Remove the bolt that secures the wheel to the hub.

Step Four: Disconnect the last electrical lead to the hub and remove the wheel from the car.

Step Five: Taking steps to prevent damage to the old wheel (lay it on a blanket or similar) remove the two torx bolts from the back of the wheel. These will be securing either the MFSW controls or the trim panels. Either way take em off.

Step Seven: Then simply pry the MFSW controls (or trim plates out) disconnect the wiring. (The lower trim plate is NOT secured with a screw and can carefully be removed by prying with your hands.)

Step Eight: (only for MFSW folks) Remove the metal plates in the middle of BOTH the JCW wheel and the OEM wheel. This is necessary to release the wiring harness from the wheel that must be transferred over. Then transfer the wiring over and re-install the plate, the MFSW controls, rear screws, lower trim plate etc.

Step Eight A: If you do not have MFSW just transfer over the trim plates etc. to the new wheel.


Now the fun part. Put is back together in the order you took it apart. Couple things to note:

The wheel has a notch in it as does the steering rod. Line those up to keep your alignment in place. DO NOT FORCE IT!

Torque the steering bolt to spec. (I have no idea what it is, I made mine REALLY tight for good measure. Just being honest that I don’t know.)

Be sure to make ALL electrical connections before installing the air bag and reconnecting the battery.

The air-bag just snaps in place. The punch is not needed to re-connect it.

Enjoy! This thing is freaking AWESOME! Feels like a go-cart every time I turn the car. Seriously good stuff! I will try to keep these in stock for everyone as the dealers can’t seem to do so. Call me or e-mail with any questions or concerns!

Let me know if I can help in anyway!

 

Nice teaser! Pictures with a video clip of the lights would be nice. How many more mods do you have to put on Howard?

 

How about a recipe for JCW 3 spoke fitting to a 2007 2 spoke wheel. I'm stuck with an airbag that won't fit 3 spoker. Anyone got ideas?

 

Hello Adam,

If you could write a how to for the steering wheel it would be great..
I will buy it in the next few days and i want to install it bymyself but i dont know how to take off the airbag..

Thanks a lot..

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=104404

 

old81: I have a TON more tricks up my sleeve. The mod bug has REALLY bit me on this car. As soon as another NAM member gets me my sub box I will post pics of that installation as well. Right now I can drive the car, but I have about a football field of wiring waiting to be tydied(sic) until the box and amp racks are here. But expect to see more body mods, interior, performance etc. Coming soon. For now there is a video posted on my website under JCW parts. Check it out!
I just bought a new iMac for the house, so I should be able to do a more prompt job of publishing the How-Tos on stuff. Sorry for the delay! Heard you enjoyed the mountains!

Karl in San Diego and XaLia: Call me tomorrow. I will hook you up on a sweet deal as well as get the insructions to you before the wheel and shift light arrive. You CAN NOT afford to miss this part on your car. So kool! Talk to you guys tomorrow! (I still have a handful of both styles in current stock.)

diablito: Thanks for the cross post. How is the new JCW kit treating you? You gotta add some ALTA to that to spruce it up even more! Should be sweet when you are done!

Chat soon fellas!

 

Anyone know what the recommended torque to use on the steering wheel bolt is for the R56? The R50/2/3 was 63nM (M14x1.5 thread).

Also posted in this thread

 

Do you know if all 07 MCS' are pre-wired for the MFSW? I desparately want cruise control. Rasmussen keeps putting me off and I'm not sure that they really know if it is possible.

 

I BELIEVE they are all pre-wired. You simply need to get the wheel and the guts. The EZ way to tell would be to pull your wheel off following the directions above. Then look to see if the addl. harness plug is present on the column.

 

Thanks Adam, that is at least a bit of positive news. I'll have to check it out later.

I was going to come to your grand opening but just found out we have to be in Florida that weekend. I'll have to visit some other time.

Thanks again.

 

Even if the wheel allowed multi-function, you might need a software flash from the dealer to activate the cruise function.

I someone wants to upgrade to a muti-function sport wheel and wants my basically brand new one for the right price, I would sell it to you.

 

No problem! If I have time I will tear the wheel of our mule. It doesn't have MFSW on it as it is an early build.

Look forward to seeing you some other time!

 

MiniJayhawk and Adam

Thanks for your swift reply. Before I can consider buying a new wheel I'll have to check out if my MINI is wired already, and I do realize that I'll need a software upgrade. Of course I would prefer that I don't have to tear into my car just to find out, so, Adam if you get to it..................

Thanks again.

 

It appears that my car is pre-wired, there is a plug there anyway. I didn't tear it apart any further to see if it actually wired. I didn't want to break anything . Do you know how to check that? I assume that the rest of the wheel assembly will come apart also, but I don't know how. Is there any way to check the plug?

 

I honestly think you went far enough. If the plug is there I can nearly say 100% the car is prewired. there may be a possibility that you will need to visit the dealer to program the functions in the MSFW after you install it though.

Good luck! Keep us posted!

 

DOes anyone know what size torx to take off the steering wheel covers???

 

Adam - Do you have any feel if the '02s are prewired? I think that the '02 has to have a new steering wheel no matter what though?!? Any thoughts?

 

If anyone is interested I estimate the required torque of the wheel bolt to be around 46-48 ft/lbs.

 

I don't know. I do know that many clients have updated the 02 to the later wheel and controls, but needed the air bag etc. to do it. Sorry I can't share more info!

Chat soon!

 

I posted this in another pot but mine is prewired also!

 

Nice!

 

Bumping this thread to add some comments regarding the steering wheel install. I just did the swap, took abit less than an hour mostly due to delays unplugging the airbag. The bag unclips from the plug harness by pressing down from above with a small screwdriver. I did not unplug the two connections directly at the airbag. The grounding clip is a very snug fit, I had to encourage it off with a pick. The MFSW clip requied a pick or slim screwdrive from above to pop the safety catch.

The MFSW sections on the wheel are very snug fit so getting them off is a bit tricky. I found going slow and prying from underneath with a small screwdriver was the best approach.

All in all pretty easy, but the airbag makes me nervous and I was concerned about tripping the airbag light and having to pay to get it reset. Not a bad mod for a car I've owned for three hours!

 

GOOD FOR YOU! That is the modding spirit we are looking for around here! Motor isn't even cold from the drive home, and you are already heading after it with tools!

Seriously congrats on the car, and the wheel! Both excellent choices!

 

This was my first mod, I own a 2008 MCS w/paddles on the steering wheel. I wanted curise control. I ordered the parts for RealOEM. I followed your directions on removing the steering wheel. Yes, there were two male connectors, one for the air bag and the other one was used for the paddles.

As you see here http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...75&hg=32&fg=35,
you have the sport steer.wh.airbag, mf, shift paddles all together. I have the female connector for the paddles and female connector for the multifunction. Do they become one? Can anyone help!

What I did for now is to remove the connection to the paddles, and connected the multifunction. Put everything together and it looks great, but nothing works.

Before I bring it to the dealer to get the computer flashed, I would like to resolve this problem.

Help? Thanks!

 

Time to visit the dealer. They need to program the car to recognize the new functions you added.

Thanks again!