Mini F56 Swapping removing your steering wheel and air bag 2014 onwards

[@rosco1237]

just replaced my son’s steering wheel on Cooper f55 for a jcw wheel. It’s a little bit tricky but straightforward. Half hour for the whole job tops. Take a hex driver or flat bladed screwdriver and insert into the hole, just to feel where the steel bar is. It’s quite an acute angle. When you put it in, imagine you are trying to get it close to the multi function buttons on the steering wheel. Then lever towards the centre of the wheel. You will feel a sprung resistance if you have in the right position. Now this is the important part. Let’s say you start at the volume buttons side, right side. Hook your fingers at the airbag right side next to where the buttons are and pull up with medium pressure, no too much, at the same time use driver to move bar, remember from near buttons to centre is the movement with strong medium force. Repeat the action a few times while pulling the airbag/horn towards you. You will hear a few clicks and the right hand side will release around an inch. Wedge that side and then do the left exactly the same, feel for the bar before using the force required. Finish off with the bottom which is even more acute in angle but with the same procedure. Remember the constant upward pressure on the airbag/horn allows friction to hold the bar as you lever it to the release point through multiple actions rather than springing back to it’s original position when you don’t do this. Hopefully this makes a difference. It’s my first ever post but I wanted to help.

[@tweedbean]

Thanks really helpful for others

[@rickjohnson8782]

Cut a channel in flat blade screwdriver. I will easily locate and secure to the release bars . Took literally mins to remove all 3.

[@freakzout1329]

For me it doesnt work after 10hours i gave up

[@rickjohnson8782]

I can 100% recommend cutting or grinding a channel into a flat screwdriver to grip the release bars. I had a horn inop problem and after reading horror stories was dreading removal of airbag . Took 5 minutes to remove with my make shift tool.

[@tweedbean]

Now that’s a great tip 👍🏼

[@darrylwebb3625]

Thanks for this. I needed to access the dry top bearing in the column.

[@tweedbean]

Glad it helped

[@thecannetwork7559]

If anyone is struggling to release the bottom clip (6 o clock), you need to push a plastic tab and not the metal spring, unlike the sides

[@tweedbean]

Great tip thanks

[@darrylwebb3625]

I'd add it's important to line up the electrical connections on the slip ring with the cutout on the steering wheel. During re-assembly I damaged the connections when I failed to notice this :(

[@tweedbean]

Great tip, thanks

[@wysiwyg2489]

Excellent video with the proper recommendations. I believe you forgot to clip back the harness (the clip you pulled with pliers). To help remove the Airbag easier, you can turn the steering wheel 90 degrees and get access from the top for one side and then turn the wheel 180 degrees to access the other side.

[@tweedbean]

Thanks for the tip.

[@tweedbean]

Thanks for the tip

[@tonyholts6941]

Please remember place the air bag with the connectors to the ground. If it goes off it will not fly up at grate speed and kill someone. Keep safe 🙏

[@tweedbean]

Great tip

[@1965mvk]

Cheers for this, any tips on how to change a heater/blower motor?

[@tweedbean]

Thanks for watching, sorry I can’t help with that.

[@thebanditsix]

Is it possible to replace a standard mini steering wheel to a multi function with cruise control etc,and would the controls work, it's a 2010 Mini One 1.6.

[@tweedbean]

Thanks for watching, I doubt it would be plug and play, you may want to contact a mini specialist like Millsys autos who could do it for you

[@adams9122]

This question I was going to ask also? I think it needs coding

[@964cuplove]

6 screws for a battery cover I’m impressed BMW 🤦‍♂️ I’ve seen other guys lifting the upper rest of the battery cover and disconnecting ground rather than +12V Is there any reason for either ? Also i recall the ground was easier to remove. Also on my Volvo they recommended replacing the center screw when changing the steering wheel, so I at least refreshed the loctite on the thread…

[@tweedbean]

Not sure in all honesty, its just what I have always done

[@MrG385]

Hi twweedbean, great video 👌🏼 do you know if a replacement airbag (the whole steering wheel airbag unit) requires any coding? I want to replace the airbag I have due to cosmetic damage plus I’m looking at the airbag with new LCI MINI logo. Thanks

[@tweedbean]

Not that I know of

[@Tackyauto]

I’m still struggling with mine - I don’t know where to turn as the bar moves but I can’t get any purchase on it to ‘move it up and out the way’. I think I’m actually doing more damage than good at the minute trying. I’ve had six other people fail too and so I’m wondering if something has broken in behind?

[@tweedbean]

It’s really is that tricky. I had to do mine the other day and it took me a while to do it. May be worth going to a Mini/BMW specialist if you are stuck

[@Tackyauto]

@@tweedbean Already did lol. Took six of them and couldn’t do it

[@rosco1237]

@@Tackyauto just replaced my son’s steering wheel on Cooper f55 for a jcw wheel. It’s a little bit tricky but straightforward. Half hour for the whole job tops. Take a hex driver or flat bladed screwdriver and insert into the hole, just to feel where the steel bar is. It’s quite an acute angle. When you put it in, imagine you are trying to get it close to the multi function buttons on the steering wheel. Then lever towards the centre of the wheel. You will feel a sprung resistance if you have in the right position. Now this is the important part. Let’s say you start at the volume buttons side, right side. Hook your fingers at the airbag right side next to where the buttons are and pull up with medium pressure, no too much, at the same time use driver to move bar, remember from near buttons to centre is the movement with strong medium force. Repeat the action a few times while pulling the airbag/horn towards you. You will hear a few clicks and the right hand side will release around an inch. Wedge that side and then do the left exactly the same, feel for the bar before using the force required. Finish off with the bottom which is even more acute in angle but with the same procedure. Remember the constant upward pressure on the airbag/horn allows friction to hold the bar as you lever it to the release point through multiple actions rather than springing back to it’s original position when you don’t do this. Hopefully this makes a difference. It’s my first ever post but I wanted to help.

[@Tackyauto]

@@rosco1237 thanks, appreciate that :). Managed to sort it but found that one of the rods had buckled and that’s why it wasn’t coming off. Modified tool helped massively :)

[@rosco1237]

@@Tackyauto thanks, I imagine you might have created a shallow v on the end of a flat bladed screwdriver. That was what I was going to do after watching this video. Decided to give it a try first before ruining a good driver and it was fine. Probably had the airbag off in 5min.

[@jasandthensome2064]

Found this interesting. I’m waiting on mines arriving. Acknowledging the disclaimer. Can I just check a couple of things. 1. Does the airbag become dormant on power down and overall charge loss or is it still possible of operating? 2. Safe handling of air bag component and clipping back in? 3. Is it T25 torx long thin shaft and press only (not unscrew)? 4. What about side function buttons? How easy to switch over? 5. Is there a Torque setting for main bolt?

[@tweedbean]

1. I am no technical expert on this unfortunately, only advice I can give is that leave the car 10 mins after disconnecting the battery for any charge to dispel. If you are concerned at all, seek the help of a professional. 2. Handling wise leave facing upwards and clipping back in with battery disconnected do not reconnect the battery with the airbag out. To refit, just plug back in, reversing the steps to disconnect. You press the airbag back into place and ensure solid before reconnecting battery. 3.The torx driver is purely to press against the spring release clips, not screw. It is the most frustrating job to get that bit done. But stick with it and eventually it will come off

[@tweedbean]

4. Not sure as I had a spare wheel with spare controls attached although I cant see it being too difficult to switch over. 5. Torque setting not see one for the F56, R56 was 62.5Nm on newtis.

[@jasandthensome2064]

tweedbean thanks I get it but to be fair you seemed to have managed fairly well so I’ll give it ago, just wondered what your thoughts were on handling the air bag boss in a non static position. You mentioned boss was tricky, do you think more than one T25 Torx (long stem) is the answer. Again just to confirm press only?

[@jasandthensome2064]

tweedbean well short of wanting to kill someone that air bag removal is a total pain in the erse. New Mini Works Carbon Fibre flat bottom wheel now in and it looks the biz 👍😎 Cheers for vid, helped enough 👍

[@tweedbean]

Jas And then some glad you found it helpfully. It really is an awful process very much just keep persisting until you get it

[@ldemetriou]

What a nightmare it is to get the airbag off. Three times now I've tried and I still can't do it.

[@tweedbean]

Yeah it’s a horrible thing to do, very frustrating, I’m removing mine again this week so if I come up with any more tips I will let you know

[@ldemetriou]

@@tweedbean fancy doing mine too lol😂😂😂😂?

[@Tackyauto]

@@ldemetriou Did you manage it? I’m on the verge of a break down 😂

[@ldemetriou]

@@Tackyauto Nope not yet. Just the thought of it is driving me insane.

[@Tackyauto]

@@ldemetriou Glad I’m not the only one. Try with one of the sides facing down and the t20-25 straight up from the bottom

[@garymorris801]

Hi on a 2015 petrol Cooper can you replace the gear knob do you know

[@tweedbean]

‘‘Hi yes you can, not done it myself but you can definitely replace it

[@silverf56]

If you don't mind me asking, how much was the steering wheel? Trying to compare to the JCW Pro Alcantara Steering Wheel directly from Mini.

[@tweedbean]

Hi I sent a spare Cooper S steering wheel I had to be retrimmed. It cost me £300. Done by Grigul Design on Instagram aka LederManZ

[@whosFluxyUK]

Hi mate did your new steering wheel come with new volume controls and cruise controls buttons or were they transferred over ?

[@tweedbean]

Hi I transferred them across, super easy

[@mickey790624]

Awesome, I'm driving MINI F56 too! Where did you order this version (type) of steering wheel?

[@tweedbean]

Hi it’s a stock S steering whee that I had custom trimmed by Grigul_design on Instagram aka LederManZ

[@mickey790624]

@@tweedbean thanks bro!

[@alexjones3159]

Great video. Did the car need coding after you reconnected the battery?

[@tweedbean]

Hi thanks for watching. As I was refitting a stock steering wheel and airbag, as long as you dont reconnect the battery while its all removed there will be no coding, no warning lights etc

[@williamstanton6685]

doubt u will reply but is it much bigger than the standard steering wheel

[@tweedbean]

I had it made to be a little thicker but the main change was the flat bottom. Its litterally a stock S wheel retrimmed

[@ivanfortyone1673]

+++++++ where did you get the wheel mate?

[@tweedbean]

Done by Grigul Design on Instagram aka LederManZ

[@paul_k_7351]

Is it worth putting any threadlocker on the main steering wheel bolt before screwing it back together?

[@tweedbean]

Not seen that advised before

[@paul_k_7351]

@@tweedbean Fair enough, thanks!

[@WadeOntheLure]

I’ve got to say that you really did not give enough information on how to get the airbag off, and I really wish you showed how it unlocks closer on camera..instead of showing how to tighten the 8mm bolts. I’m sorry, I’m just super frustrated that I can’t get this off, no can I find anyone with really useful info.

[@tweedbean]

Hi it’s literally impossible to show anymore that I did, it’s a very frustrating process. You literally have to put the Tory bit in and feel about. Even BMW’s instructions say the same. Keep going and you will eventually get it. Unfortunately there’s not enough room to get the camera and undo it at the same time especially with one pair of hands. Good muck

[@elnuevese2829]

Wade Gagich have you been able to remove it? I tried a second time today and no luck. Only the bottom part seems to budge however the two clips on the sides even though I press the stupid thing won't come off.

[@lonewolf-aheadofthepac4163]

@@tweedbean agree I remember taking the airbag out of my N54 smh big pain in the ass

[@Tackyauto]

Did anyone of you manage it? I’m in the same boat. 3rd day of trying now

[@NoName-zi9qs]

This video is practically useless. No steps are actually demonstrated.

[@tweedbean]

You can’t get a camera into the tiny 5mm holes so getting any closer won’t help as you cannot see anything from the outside, but you get a verbal coverage of the steps so you can give it a go