Author Topic: M Technik 1 Steering Wheel Install Issues (Read 4612 times)

DRTE30 · « **on:** August 19, 2012, 04:36:45 PM »

Greetings,

I have recently uninstalled the OEM SRS steering wheel and replaced it with an M Technik 1 steering wheel. I have used the appropriate spacer between the steering column and the steering wheel.

My problem is that I no longer have horn function, nor do I have turn signal cancellation function.

If anyone has some worldly advice on this steering wheel swap and how they got these functions back would be stellar. Any help is much appreciated!

Aloha

DesktopDave · « **Reply #1 on:** August 19, 2012, 05:07:16 PM »

The wheel is too far away from the hub. The tang isn't tapping the turn signal cancel post and the horn contact isn't touching the contact ring on the back of the steering wheel.

To fix this with various wheels I've removed the spacer from between the steering wheel and the column, then re-installed the wheel. Then the spacer goes next, finally the nut & washer. On occasion I've had to use two spacers. Good luck!

DRTE30 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 19, 2012, 06:21:18 PM »

That did the trick. Thank you for the tip Dave. A small note to add to this thread is that when all of the spacers are in the proper order, BEFORE tightening the 22mm nut down, the owner must put the key in the ignition and the key turned to the 'on' position to disengage the wheel lock, else the steering wheel will bind onto the wheel lock and will not properly install. In fact, the steering wheel will not even turn left or right.

bmwman91 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 19, 2012, 09:30:03 PM »

So the proper way to install the wheel is to remove all of the spacers behind the wheel and crank things down? I tried that, but the wheel sat too far in IIRC and I had to leave it slightly loose to prevent binding on the turn signal lever.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #4 on:** August 20, 2012, 06:56:43 AM »

I've also used two spacers - one behind and one in front. I've also seen a case where the nut bottoms out on the steering shaft before the wheel is securely tight. There's a surprising amount of variation in these wheels.

DRTE30 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 20, 2012, 07:16:25 PM »

No, not entirely. Like Dave mentioned, there are variables in the wheel coupler. One thing I noticed while searching parting numbers is that their are a very large variety in the actual female splined part that mounts to the steering shaft. Actually, in my personal case, the SRS wheel had a female splined piece that was slightly longer than that of the M Technik steering wheel I installed.

Likewise, another forum had a write up and just about everyone on there who did this swap left the spacer between the steering column and the back of the steering wheel without issue, so that was why I was originally perplexed as to why things were not working.

Another thing too, is that once I mounted it like Dave suggested, the turn signal/wiper levers are close enough to make me wonder why BMW didn't make them like this in the first place. Now they are easy to get to - for me, but for BMWman the wheel is too close. Interesting.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #6 on:** August 20, 2012, 07:33:09 PM »

There are also a different set of control stalks for the airbag car...the signal stalks are bent slightly more to suit the deeper airbag wheel.