BMW F30 Airbag Removal-Different Way

After removing the airbag in the F30 using the slits on the side of the steering wheel using a long T20 screwdriver, I decided it took way too long 30min approx and I had to poke holes in the back of the steering wheel. If youre not really careful you can damage the wheel and make the slits way too big and appear ripped. I didnt like that.
Some people may be faster in doing it this way if you get lucky or are really good at it i.e. service dealership.
I found an alternate method. To me it is way easier and took under 5 min. to do. Watch the video.

[@mattosborne2706]

After struggling with the ‘normal’ method via the holes, I found your video and gave it a shot. A couple of minutes later and the airbag is out. Nice one. Thank you.

[@DPC037]

You absolute legend. I am an Apprentice Vehicle tech and everyone anyone tried to take the airbag out, it takes ages to do it the way stated by BMW. This was far quicker. Took me less than 5 mins compared to over half and hour doing the original T20 method.

[@austinmpatton]

I really want to endorse this video. This is really an easy and straightforward way to do something that is otherwise quite frustrating. I found this video today after receiving an M sport steering wheel for my 328i for Christmas. After struggling for over an hour with the slit and guess method, I found this and had the airbag off in a matter in minutes. The shroud pops off very easily and reassembles pretty easily too. After the shroud came off the rest was a breeze since you can see where the clips are. Two thumbs up!!!

[@medusazeusenna]

Hello Austin. This is a great tutorial. A very good idea compared to conventional approach. I'm from Germany and I do not understand everything. I'm embarrassed, but I already get the cover from the steering column not dismantled. This seat is so tight. I'm afraid of damaging something. Would it be possible for you to make a video for this step? Or could you describe the steps to me in writing? Maybe it works then?!? Thanks in advance. Nice greetings from Germany.

[@dubro5009]

Dude your video is a life saver, steering colomn cover removal is a bit tricky to remove. I lowered the steering colomn and removed the top cover by pulling on the end near the leather.

[@rokan81]

Sander Citroen glad it helped you out

[@GTR72]

Thanks to your instructions I was able to get my airbag out! Pulling apart the housing in front of the wheel requires quite a bit of force, I thought I was going to break it. It helps to extend the wheel all the way out when doing this part.

[@gokhanoluk]

Until i found this video i really struggled and could not do it with the classical method. But i have to say, i also could not do this with this new method also, somehow my airbag did not want to pop out with only this method . Then i combined the classical method and this method, which means, i could sea where the screwdriver go when i pop the cover of the column like this video. So i could pop the airbag out. Thanks for this video again, i really appreciate it.

[@tnahvu]

Thanks! I gave up on the other way of removing after an hour and ripped leather slits. :/ This method is so much better.

[@OffMyPipe]

You’re a genius! Was stuck for an hour. Your method took me like 5 minutes lol. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@Iraanian]

Big big thank you Rokan This helps me alot, i was trying about two weeks to open the airbag by other way to put screw inside the holes, but didn’t go through, god bless you rokan, i saved my money, cuz the local bodyworks shop was asking £80 to do it, which is alot money for this job

[@rokan81]

N3vid happy to help sir. :)

[@bellabeemer4222]

Hey, thanks for this video, after trying the other method for probably a good 2 hours and failing miserably I gave your method a go and was finally able to get the airbag off. Even doing it your way the airbag was really tight and needed a lot of wrestling to get out. I don't think there was a hope in hell of the other method working, so thanks again!

[@rokan81]

Bella Beemer it’s why I set out to make the video, even though the slit method I’ve got down but this just makes a lot of sense because I didn’t want to cut holes through the slit. And it’s easier for everyone no fuss

[@66happymarcel]

Thanks Rokan, This really helped me a lot!!! I was trying to get the airbag out in the conventional way, but didn't succeed. With this help it took me only 5 minutes! Again many thanks!

[@rokan81]

You're welcome.

[@CartubeCoIl]

Actually, the conventional way is the way he is showing here, all the others showing the hack way.

[@adamtowers68]

Hey, used this method, found the springs behind the wheel, pulled them down and still couldn’t get the airbag to release! Got to be the most frustrating thing I’ve ever tried. I must be doing something wrong but I’ve moved the spring in every direction, wiggled, pulled and almost smashed the airbag and it still won’t budge! You can see I’m getting frustrated by it 😂 sledgehammer next

[@corderomiles3769]

Thanks man! Very helpful and way easier than the other way

[@mustafasabeeh1398]

Bro this guy is a legend i cant thank u enough bro like i dont know what to say

[@rokan81]

Thanks, glad it worked out. The video was made to help as the regular way to remove it can be a huge PITA.

[@Suldusk]

For the column it's a good idea to use a plastic pry tool just to be on the safe side

[@deisyperez6297]

You're a lightsaver thanks for making this video

[@anthonycasso4910]

Man this really helped out, way easier then other way. Thanks!

[@rokan81]

Takes longer but just a different way. Glad it worked for you.

[@Xzizia92]

Is it possible to put a F30 steering wheel on a E90?

[@rokan81]

+SWE-BMW-E90 couldn't tell you for sure. But even if you could none of the electronics will work. F30 is all fiber optic and newer vs E90. I wouldn't trust an f30 airbag hooked up to an E90 and expect it to work especially when my life is on the line. Best left alone there.

[@Xzizia92]

rokan81 Okay, thank you :)

[@mrduke2471]

Thanks man, you saved me from paying somebody!! Awesome 👍

[@Owned_93]

Hello, thanks a lot, my airbag was not going out, i had to pull both of them then my friend had to pull the airbag, however i just insert the tools on the steering on the original hole

[@JerseyNinja]

Wish i saw this method earlier. I ripped open the slit pretty bad amd also damaged the air bag pulling it out. All to swap it out for msport wheel which looks better but is thinner and im not happy with my decision to do this 😮

[@CartubeCoIl]

Thanks. One question. You need to disconnect the battery before removing the airbag, the steering will not get locked when you turn it 90 deg?

[@rokan81]

Yes make sure you absolutely disconnect the battery, you can pop out the air bag but let it rest on the steering wheel and still connected then go to the trunk and disconnect the battery. Otherwise you will have an airbag light. קארטיוב

[@kasunwanniarachchi3818]

How did you turn the wheel when the car is turned off?

[@NickGile]

You show an alternative way to do it, but you're zoomed in too much for viewers to understand.

[@efodela4u]

awesome dude... best way people just don't know it till they rip their leather and come back to this as a last resort lol

[@borislasman1899]

A great video, helped a lot. Thanks!

[@medusazeusenna]

Hello rokan81. This is a great tutorial, thank you very much. A very good idea compared to conventional approach. I'm from Germany and I do not understand everything you tell. I'm embarrassed, but I already get the cover from the steering column not dismantled. This seat is so tight. I'm afraid of damaging something. Would it be possible for you to make a video for this step? Or could you describe the steps to me in writing? Maybe it works then?!? Thanks in advance. Nice greetings from Germany.

[@khaledalsharabi4178]

thanks alot for the video. I will try it right now. Another question though, what happened to the noise you talked about? have you figured out how to eliminate it? I have the same noise I guess.

[@alexeyscotelo1737]

very clear friend , helpful

[@alex123browne]

Obviously disconnected battery so steering wheel lock on, how do you take steering wheel lock off to turn wheel

[@prodcomplexion]

reconnect the battery to turn it to the other side then disconnect it again

[@madzhid12]

Will this method work on a 2016 435 m sport? I got everything done but couldn’t see the clips or whatever is holding the airbag

[@haikissaian52]

If I reconnect the battery to turn the steering wheel again after loosening one spring, is there any risk?

[@batvr6]

Muchas gracias! Desde Mexico

[@slengoslengaw8510]

after replacing blown airbags, would any coding be needed?

[@js-ls6bo]

what did you use to pry the two plastics pieces off? I am having a little trouble :(

[@wisherdaking]

I was able to just use my hands to pry it. On the left side closer to the cluster. If you reach under the leather piece, you should be able to snap it off.

[@jagbirkullar4837]

How hard did you have to pull on the airbag after you wedged the ScrewDriver in? I’m finding it extremely difficult and I’m not sure if I’m doing it right.

[@rokan81]

Jagbir Kullar not hard you will see the airbag sort of come forward and both sides must be done.

[@Sayf24560]

Thank u so much for the video! But What about returning it back? I will have to push it back and that's it? My horn is not working and I can tell its something behinds the airbag not a fuse thing..

[@rokan81]

Yes you just push back on the air bag and it will engage into the retainers. Make sure to make all the connections 1st.

[@carbonfreak6490]

Hello, One question, i stick my screwdriver in and lifted the spring, but the airbag is just slightly loose, and i tried to pull it of with my hands and no luck. I don't know how much force should use? I pulled hard but it still on the steering wheel, if i use max force to get it off, i thin something is going to break! Can you help me please, because i don't know if it's normal to pull so hard on the airbag. ThankS!!

[@jorgetorres3488]

Same to me..any update?

[@Owned_93]

Hello guys, i had the same problem, i solved it by unlock both of them at the same time, then my friend pulled the airbag

[@Nour-hf6mv]

I don’t get it how to unlock steering wheel to turn it ?

[@nichtwirklich]

Huuge thank you👌

[@antobanto2383]

Good job. Thank you!

[@surpa54321]

i can’t separate the shielding behind wheel do you just pry them apart through the slit or?

[@rokan81]

Just pry it gently, get some plastic automotive trim tools.

[@22carvalho1]

Are you Jesus? Thank you so much!!!

[@hyde_official]

Thanks a million dude. Dam, you have a PayPal or patron?

[@carlosguima1885]

Bem mais fácil mesmo! Obrigado!

[@Jason52597]

Is this an upgrade from a standard steering wheel to flappy paddle gears?

[@rokan81]

Jason Lloyd no just a sport line version

[@raphaelfernandes5921]

Do I need to disconnect the battery?

[@bs911285]

Thanks you very much ! It's works !

[@skidooman97]

What is the actual name for the wire @2:20 if anyone knows i broke this clips and i doubt car will start with out it . Be a big help thanks

[@rokan81]

Try this part on realoem.com p. kit for socket housing 2 POL. X Part # 61132360043

[@autoalfombras1]

Thanks my king

[@NENWAR]

Does this work for a 2013 BMW one series because I can’t do it

[@rokan81]

Is your 1 series an F chassis car? If so the setups and electronics will be very similar. I don’t know how the Shiite looks per se but it should be similar. The steering wheels are all the same from 1 to 5 series cars.

[@Xzizia92]

Is it possible to put a F30 steering wheel on a E90?

[@iNFiNiTE69]

The airbags are very specific to the steering wheels. Even in an F30 a standard wheel airbag will not fit a Sport Wheel or M Wheel and vice versa.

[@juliomh76]

Thanks

[@rokan81]

Anytime

[@iNFiNiTE69]

This should be the REGULAR WAY!

[@rokan81]

Chris Sansom it definitely works without much stress but with enough practice and feel you can do it through the slits pretty easy too.

[@iNFiNiTE69]

@@rokan81 Who's going to need much practice. Can't see needing to remove the airbag again for a few more years.

[@AnthonyPellicani]

Is it the same on F20? Thank you

[@iNFiNiTE69]

Yes

[@rokan81]

Anthony Pellicani yep same, unless it’s an M sport steering wheel the back is plastic and there are already pre drilled holes you can see them in the back.

[@biricchino81]

hi.. how i remove this cover??

[@medusazeusenna]

Hello Daniele. Did you remove the cover from the steering column? Can you please explain how this works?

[@rokan81]

medusazeusenna just take a small flat head screw driver and find the seam on the cover shroud and pry in there a bit, it all just snaps together no screws. It will come apart with some effort.