Does anyone know how to remove the three silver pieces that are on the 05-06 MFSW? Instructions would be GREATLY appreciated .

 

Hopefully you'll get more responses than I did!

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ghlight=silver

 

Doh!


I think I am going to have to take the airbag off to solve this one. Unfortunately, the instructions I saw said something about releasing a spring...a spring that I couldn't find. AHHH, this is driving me NUTS!

 

Maybe I will just paint them IN the car...is that a bad idea?

 

I was thinking that some stick on aluminum pieces might look good. You wouldn't have to remove anything that way. Just need to find a cheap way to get some aluminum pieces that fit perfectly made.
I was thinking about designing some on eMachineShop, but I'd need to do a run of 10-20 for it to be worth while. Then I'd need to market and sell them. And become a NAM sponsor. Seems a lot of effort...

 

Hello There

The three plastic trim pieces on the wheel are simply bolted into the back side of the wheel

They have torqx screws in them - put in a torqx head bit into the back side and unscrew - the pieces fall out - no need to touch the airbag

Put your fingers behind the wheel - you will find the screws


Anthony

 

Fantastic, thanks!

What about the connectors for the MFSW? Are they accessible once you've released them?

 

Hey, thanks for the info.

I actually figured this part out a few weeks ago, but when I removed the torx screw for the vertical piece, although it was loose, I did not want to FORCE it out. But, if that is all that is holding it in, then I guess I should not be afraid to . Thanks for the help!



Now...the only bad thing is, since I have an automatic, the torx screws for the two horizontal pieces are BLOCKED by the tiptronic paddle shifters.

Anyone have an idea how to remove those as well?

 

I'd be more apt to just cover them in vinyl, seems like it would be a lot simpler!

 

I read someplace on here to BE CAREFUL REMOVING THE AIR BAG, as doing it wrong can cause it to "deploy" (read as: "explode open in your face"). I don't know anyone that's had this happen, but it's worth mentioning....

I'd try the vinyl option first, honestly... You should be able to do it right in the wheel without dismounting anything, and if it doesn't work you're only out a few bucks. if it doesn;t work you can start dissassembling stuff.

 

You should always disconnect your battery whenever you work on anything related to the electrical system. This would prevent the airbag from deploying. Also, to remove the airbag, there are two small indentations on the backside of the wheel (upper part, you can feel them with your fingers). You take a Torx driver (#24?) and insert in the hole to disengage the spring clips holding the airbag. It only takes a couple of minutes to do.

 

Uhh...you do NOT have to remove the airbag to remove the three silver pieces. There are three torx screws on the back of the steering wheel that hold them in place.


However...unfortunately two of those screws are blocked my automatic MINIs paddle shifters so now I am stuck trying to figure out how to remove those. Can anyone offer insight on that?

 

I am guessing it would be far easier to just remove the steering wheel. It seriously isn't a big deal at all. I can have mine off and back on in under 5 minutes.

 

Can you give me some instructions (on removing the airbag, specifically)? THanks!!

 

i've installed the jcw steering wheel which requires removal of the airbag...
you don't have to use a torq driver. you can use a flat head screw driver also. the ultimate goal is to release the springs.

download this pdf...
http://bridger.us/mini/files/steering_airbag.pdf
after the disconnection of the battery, slide the screwdriver or torq driver thru either one of the little "x"s...

take a look at page 2 and pay attention to the second photo... that right there is the goal. you'll feel the spring, it's the only metal part in there. it takes a little force to push it in towards the center of the wheel. you won't need to wrestle w/ it, just "feel" around w/ the driver and try to get square w/ the spring and push. pull the airbag/horn forward at the same time. then do the other side.

follow the rest of the instructions and you'll be fine
if you've ever done a brake job before, let me tell you that this is far easier and safer. be sure to handle the airbag w/ care once removed. read the instructions a few times to build up your confidence.

good luck

 

Thanks! But see, the problem is, I could not find the "marked X" anywhere on my steering column. I will take a picture of it later on today.

 

the x is about 3/8" in diameter on both sides of the airbag.

sorry these are so blurry
view from front:


from behind:


spring closed:


spring open:

 

The steering wheel does not originally come with marked "X"s. They are only there if the X slits had been cut for removing the steering wheel at some previous time. You need to feel the spot where the vinyl covering feels soft (a hole in the plastic shell), and cut your own X.

 

Thanks for the pictures! That really helps!

 

YAY! After a few hours of work, I finally got ALL the pieces off (including the automatic paddle shifters!).


It did indeed require me to remove the airbag (which, as glnr13 said, is pretty simple).


Oh, and for those that have been curious whether it would be possible to modify the automatic shifters to operate such that the left is for upshifting, and the right is for downshifting, after examining the circuit board inside each unit, it IS possible! The circuit in each paddle shifter is fairly simple, composes of only a few wires and just some simple metal contacts.

 

Off to Lambspeed for paint!

 

I can't wait to see how those look back on the wheel, all painted up and pretty.

 

ooooh... connor, if i knew you were doing that i wouldnt have told you how to get the thing off! i wanted to be the first to do that

whats your plan for the icons?

-glen

 

Is it already installed? Pics please :impatient

 

Alright because you have them I must ask, the B/T buttons, can I simply run the wiring to them and use them as either momentary or on/off switches?

An please do post pics when you're done