new e30 325ix owner needs help (steering wheel)

[LicketySplit]

hello everyone,

just picked up alpine white 1991 e30 325ix.

few issues that currently exist that i would like to address with your help. first being the steering wheel.

- steering wheel nut wont thread down all the way. threads 3/4 of the way, does not tighten any further. steering wheel slightly pulls up.

can i chase thread with a die or do i need to replace the spindle ?

thank you all!

[chuckdizzle]

hello everyone,

just picked up alpine white 1991 e30 325ix.

few issues that currently exist that i would like to address with your help. first being the steering wheel.

- steering wheel nut wont thread down all the way. threads 3/4 of the way, does not tighten any further. steering wheel slightly pulls up.

can i chase thread with a die or do i need to replace the spindle ?

thank you all!

Is your steering wheel the 4-spoke version with the airbag?

[audiquattrot]

Sounds like you might have a non airbag wheel when you should have one on a 1991. To correct ur issue assuming the proper steering wheel is in there is to run a spacer to allow for enough threads to screw down.

[Zeemz]

Sounds like you might have a non airbag wheel when you should have one on a 1991. To correct ur issue assuming the proper steering wheel is in there is to run a spacer to allow for enough threads to screw down.

That is exactly what it sounds like.

https://www.bavauto.com/32-31-1-120-260 Drop one of these between the wheel and the nut and it will let it tighten down properly.


More info on this Steering Wheel swap thread

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71838

[chuckdizzle]

Sounds like you might have a non airbag wheel when you should have one on a 1991. To correct ur issue assuming the proper steering wheel is in there is to run a spacer to allow for enough threads to screw down.

That was my assumption as well. I swapped my airbag wheel for an M-tech and made the same mistake upon initial install.

[LicketySplit]

i purchased the car with aftermarket steering wheel.

when removed steering wheel did not see no spacer. i replaced steering wheel nut without wheel, it will only thread 3/4 of the way. is that normal ?

thanks so much for your reply guys!!

[audiquattrot]

i purchased the car with aftermarket steering wheel.

when removed steering wheel did not see no spacer. i replaced steering wheel nut without wheel, it will only thread 3/4 of the way. is that normal ?

thanks so much for your reply guys!!

Order 2 of what Zeemz linked you (spacers). Slide one spacer with the wheel out, slide the steering wheel on and tighten the nut on top of that. Should tighten down. If not use the 2nd spacer on top of the steering wheel as well and you should be able to tighten fully.

[Sower]

Another question along these lines . . . how do you get the airbag light to go off once the swap is complete?

[audiquattrot]

Another question along these lines . . . how do you get the airbag light to go off once the swap is complete?

I just pulled the lower dash cover under the steering wheel and unplugged any orange plugs I saw until the light went away lol