32 33 001 Removing and installing / replacing steering wheel

IMPORTANT: Do not twist volute spring cassette.
When installing, make sure that the driver on the rear side of the steering wheel engages in the corresponding opening of the volute spring cassette.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove airbag unit . See 32 34 020 Removing and installing / replacing airbag unit .

Move sport steering wheel to straight-ahead position.

Disconnect plug connection (1).

Release screw (2) and remove steering wheel.

Secure volute spring cassette with adhesive tape against twisting.

Installation:

Make sure connecting lead(s) is/are correctly laid.

Tightening torque 32 33 1AZ. See STEERING AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 1: Identifying Plug Connection

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

If necessary, move wheels to straight-ahead position.

Align steering wheel using grooved toothing (1) to steering column and attach.

Fig 2: Identifying Grooved Toothing

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replacement:

Release screws (1).

IMPORTANT: Risk of breakage!
Carefully remove multifunction steering wheel switches (2) with decorative strip (3) and retaining plate (4) from steering wheel.

Disconnect plug connections on rear side.

Remove connecting lead from steering wheel.

Fig 3: Identifying Multifunction Steering Wheel Switches, Decorative Strip And Retaining Plate

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Make sure connecting lead is correctly laid.

Make sure that decorative strip (3) and multifunction steering wheel switches (2) are correctly positioned on steering wheel (guide pins must not be damaged).

Tightening torque 32 33 2AZ. See STEERING AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Version with Sequential Manual Gearbox/Transmission: remove shift paddles. See 61 31 104 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING SHIFTERS FOR SMG TRANSMISSION (BOTH) .