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DISCUSSION => General Topics => Topic started by: pmcinema on September 12, 2007, 07:44:43 PM

Title: Mtech II Steering Wheel instal problems
Post by: pmcinema on September 12, 2007, 07:44:43 PM

So I am all excited to put on my M tech II steering wheel. I had heard that I need a spacer because the wheel sits too far down the shaft and the locking nut will not reach it. So I got a 3/4' steel spacer, placed the steering wheel on the shaft, put the spacer on,(fit perfectly), then the washer followed by the locking nut. Great. Fits fine. THEN as I turn the wheel, the white plastic pin that sticks out from the collum in between the rear of the steering wheel and the collum, ( it is the white pin that needs to be pushed in so the steering collum locking mechanism will release ) is getting caught and not unlocking!!!!!!!!! Does anyone have any words of wisdom to get around this and make the steering wheel work?

Title: Mtech II Steering Wheel instal problems
Post by: ak96ss on September 12, 2007, 09:00:15 PM

Did you leave the original spacer on as well?  It should be steel spacer, wheel, spacer, washer, lock nut.

I've had no problems with my install at all.

Title: Mtech II Steering Wheel instal problems
Post by: pmcinema on September 12, 2007, 11:06:24 PM

I do not believe there was/is a spacer that came stock on the car.  When I took of the original/airbag wheel, I just unscrewed the lock nut, took off the washer and pulled off the steering wheel. There was no spacer behind the wheel. Should there be?

Title: Mtech II Steering Wheel instal problems
Post by: ak96ss on September 12, 2007, 11:11:02 PM

Yes, a steel ring, 14mm thick.

Number 4 in the picture here:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF91&mospid=47256&btnr=32_0437&hg=32&fg=30 (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF91&mospid=47256&btnr=32_0437&hg=32&fg=30)

Title: Mtech II Steering Wheel instal problems
Post by: pmcinema on September 13, 2007, 12:01:40 AM

Ahhhhhhhhh, so working from the bottom up, it would go the 14mm ring, the M Tech wheel, some sort of spacer - don't know how thick, then the washer followed by the lock nut. Do you know how thick the spacer should be? Thanks again for you help.  It is beginning to make sense.

Title: Mtech II Steering Wheel instal problems
Post by: ak96ss on September 13, 2007, 12:44:13 AM

I had an extra 14mm ring laying around that I used. You could try washers - watch the I.D. and O.D., though - has to be big enough to go around the splined shaft but small enough to fit all the way to the bottom of the wheel mount.

I think those rings are only a few bucks.

Title: Mtech II Steering Wheel instal problems
Post by: pmcinema on September 13, 2007, 01:01:07 AM

Well I had to go and check my car. Yes in fact there is a spacer on the collum. However, acording to the diagram item #4, the spacer is 14mm thick/deep/wide. Mine is a little more than 10mm. I do not think that this spacer is something average Joe would change or even know about. Could there be different sizes depending on the individual car? If in fact 14mm is the correct size, then perhaps changing mine to a 14mm would work and the steering wheel would fit properally. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Title: Mtech II Steering Wheel instal problems
Post by: ak96ss on September 13, 2007, 06:19:13 AM

You know, now that I think about it....     :rolleyes:


Remove the white plastic pin. It is not necessary with the M-Tech wheel and will do exactly what you are saying. This is the one above and to the left of the spline as you sit in the car, correct?

You can either cut it off or, as I did, remove it. Takes some wiggling, but you can get it out whole.


Sorry for the wild goose chase!   :)