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	Has anyone removed their steering wheel?
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				gareth82
 - Member

 - Posts: 196
 - Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2010 8:09 pm
 - Location: Northern Ireland
 
Has anyone removed their steering wheel?
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.
			
			
									
						
			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
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				Hits553
 - Newbie

 - Posts: 46
 - Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 1:20 pm
 - Location: Ashton u Lyne, Manchester
 
Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?
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?
			
			
									
						
			
						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?
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				Raj
 - Lifer

 - Posts: 4512
 - Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 11:30 pm
 - Location: Midlands
 
Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?
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.
			
			
									
						
			
- lezmtaylor
 - Snr Member

 - Posts: 1001
 - Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:25 pm
 - Location: Gloucester
 
Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?
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.
Leez
			
			
									
						
			Or on ebay there are some wheel remover impact tools that plug into the cigar lighter and cost about £25.
Leez
2002. 4.4lpg,ledAE's,Xenons,paddleshift,compass mirror,inst rings,led int lights,rear camera,crystal tailights,eisenmann road exh,Schnitzer pedals,chrome indicators,colour co-ord headlamps & bonnet grilles,hualigim entertainment system.dash and rearcamera,comfort seats.hud,bull bars,engine instalube
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				gareth82
 - Member

 - Posts: 196
 - Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2010 8:09 pm
 - Location: Northern Ireland
 
Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?
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
			
			
									
						
			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
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				gareth82
 - Member

 - Posts: 196
 - Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2010 8:09 pm
 - Location: Northern Ireland
 
Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?
Sorry for the poor quality pics, I can take better pics if anyone wants
Original steering wheel

New wheel



Thanks
			
			
									
						
			Original steering wheel

New wheel



Thanks
2001 X5 3.0d sport
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				Raj
 - Lifer

 - Posts: 4512
 - Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 11:30 pm
 - Location: Midlands
 
Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?
Did you use Jack to do the wheel? 
Looks spot on. Can't beat the feel of a new steering wheel.
			
			
									
						
			Looks spot on. Can't beat the feel of a new steering wheel.

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				gareth82
 - Member

 - Posts: 196
 - Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2010 8:09 pm
 - Location: Northern Ireland
 
Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?
[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
			
			
									
						
			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
						- Sanj
 - Lifer

 - Posts: 5624
 - Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:45 am
 - Location: Berkshire
 
Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?
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?
			
			
									
						
			Any chance of know 'rough' pricing on this?
Oh and what was the final outcome - how did you get the wheel off?
 Scn Protect,Alarm Chirp,Ashtray del,Sub install,IV2,Screens,PS2 Media,Chrome rings,Schnitzer pedals,Reverse cam,Silver Grills,F/mirrors,Comp Spkrs,Heated S/W,20"168s,Splash scn,Arches,Remap,LED Tails,ACS Spoiler,'is' Bumper Trim,Rear heated seats,Rear blinds
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				Minda
 - Member

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 - Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:45 am
 - Location: Bedfordshire
 
Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?
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
 - Member

 - Posts: 196
 - Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2010 8:09 pm
 - Location: Northern Ireland
 
Re: Has anyone removed their steering wheel?
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
			
			
									
						
			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