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Has anyone removed their steering wheel?

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E53).
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gareth82
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Has anyone removed their steering wheel?

Post by gareth82 » Thu May 05, 2011 10:11 pm

Hi I ordered a nice new recovered steering wheel with extra padding, perforated sides, nappa top/bottom, black stitching which I looks and feels fantastic. It arrived today so I tried this evening to fit, I disconnected the negative terminal on the battery, waited 30 mins then removed the airbag by undoing the 2 clips, but I couldn't get the bolt off the steering wheel, I have tried hitting it with a hammer, WD40, extension bar but no luck at all.

Could it be left handed threads (or whatever the term is) meaning I need to turn clockwise to remove?

Other than an impact wrench I have no idea how I am going to remove it tho I would be slightly scared of wrecking something if too much force is applied with the impact wrench.
2001 X5 3.0d sport

Hits553
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Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?

Post by Hits553 » Fri May 06, 2011 9:25 am

Hi Gareth82

I've never removed a wheel before, i know there is a thread or two if your use the search function.

I'm more interested in your steering wheel, any chance of a picture?

Raj
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Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?

Post by Raj » Fri May 06, 2011 10:26 am

I've taken mine off a couple of times. It is standard threaded so anti-clockwise to undo the centre bolt. Sounds like it's been well overtightened and been like that for a while.
Image

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lezmtaylor
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Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?

Post by lezmtaylor » Fri May 06, 2011 2:12 pm

Yes, it is a standard undo thread, I would try an impact Screw driver (they are usually 1/2 inch drive) or an impact portable electric driver (they cost about £100 !!)
Or on ebay there are some wheel remover impact tools that plug into the cigar lighter and cost about £25.
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gareth82
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Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?

Post by gareth82 » Fri May 06, 2011 8:13 pm

Thanks all impact wrench done the job, as soon as I got the bolt loose it was a gift to change.

What a transformation to the car, appearance, feel and drive of the car, I couldn't recommend it high enough, fantastic cheap mod for the results and worth twice the price

I will upload pics shortly
2001 X5 3.0d sport

gareth82
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Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?

Post by gareth82 » Fri May 06, 2011 8:37 pm

Sorry for the poor quality pics, I can take better pics if anyone wants

Original steering wheel

Image

New wheel

Image

Image

Image

Thanks
2001 X5 3.0d sport

Raj
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Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?

Post by Raj » Sat May 07, 2011 1:32 am

Did you use Jack to do the wheel?

Looks spot on. Can't beat the feel of a new steering wheel.
Image

gareth82
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Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?

Post by gareth82 » Sat May 07, 2011 11:31 am

[quote=""Raj""]Did you use Jack to do the wheel?

Looks spot on. Can't beat the feel of a new steering wheel.[/quote]

Yes Jack done it first class service
2001 X5 3.0d sport

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Sanj
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Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?

Post by Sanj » Sat May 07, 2011 12:11 pm

That's lovely - who's Jack then?

Any chance of know 'rough' pricing on this?

Oh and what was the final outcome - how did you get the wheel off?
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Minda
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Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?

Post by Minda » Sat May 07, 2011 1:11 pm

Yeah guy's who's jack? i would like to get my van one done as its looking a bit shabby now.
Current 2010 BMW X5 40d Msport E70FL 2014 BMW 435d Cab 2016 Mercedes Vito 119 Sport LWB

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gareth82
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Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?

Post by gareth82 » Sat May 07, 2011 2:06 pm

His email address is jamizerski@yahoo.co.uk. I used the exchange option which means he sends you the wheel, you swap it over and post back your wheel to him within 7 days. The cost was £105 + £10 delivery + £50 for the exchange option which is refunded when he receives the wheel.

I used an impact wrench to remove the bolt, really easy to swap over apart from the bolt being so tight
2001 X5 3.0d sport

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