Switching to non airbag steering wheel?

[801coppertop]

I would like to put on a new steering wheel on my car, mtech 2 maybe? However its a 91 has an airbag, the wheel i want does not. Will this cause problems? Is there anything i need besides a new wheel?

[mr.vang]

no..the srs light will be on though. also check with your state to see if its legal.

[LagunengrunE36]

Yeah, you'll need a spacer (#4 -- http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...47&hg=32&fg=30).

[jlevie]

In addition to state laws that may prohibit disabling the SRS, your insurance could refuse to pay if you delete the air bag.

[801coppertop]

Called insurance, they said all is well they wont refuse my benefits if a non-airbag wheel is put on. Also state law did say that you cannot remove an airbag unless you have a "special" license to do so. However i do not see how local authorities would be able to tell, unless an enthusiast...

[nando]

just do it, nobody is going to know or care. who knows if a 20 year old airbag even works, mine didn't do shit.

[EN318isPDX]

just do it, nobody is going to know or care. who knows if a 20 year old airbag even works, mine didn't do shit.

My car got T boned and the air bag didnt deploy, i often wondered if it was a ticking time bomb so i unplugged the computer, than removed the airbag, no SRS light and no BOOM! Until i hooked up a battery to the airbag and watched it blow up, wonder if i still have the video

[801coppertop]

You mean like this,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vppxu70Wojo

I used to help tech's blow up airbags at the land rover dealership in centerville when i worked there, it was a riot. They can send tires 20 feet in the air.

[gearheadE30]

My car got T boned and the air bag didnt deploy

That wouldn't be caused by airbag failure. In an e30, the only situation that will cause airbag deployment is a frontal crash, i.e. hitting something head on, or in some cases, getting rear ended.

[EN318isPDX]

That wouldn't be caused by airbag failure. In an e30, the only situation that will cause airbag deployment is a frontal crash, i.e. hitting something head on, or in some cases, getting rear ended.

It was hit in the front, drivers side fender at ~40mph, it mashed the fender but didnt hurt anything else. it was pretty close to the crash sensor but im guessing you really have to smash it in order for it to deploy!

[bwawuz02]

I would like to put on a new steering wheel on my car, mtech 2 maybe? However its a 91 has an airbag, the wheel i want does not. Will this cause problems? Is there anything i need besides a new wheel?

you need to get accessory stalks from a non-airbag car as well. I put an Mtech 2 wheel in my 318is, so speaking from experience here. Just go to a pick n' pull or post a WTB ad here. Just know that you need the key in the ignition to get the steering wheel off a junk yard car and the steering wheel has to come off to get the accessory stalks off. Also, if you do go the junk yard route, just snag the spacer ring from the car there.

[acolella76]

you need to get accessory stalks from a non-airbag car as well. I put an Mtech 2 wheel in my 318is, so speaking from experience here. Just go to a pick n' pull or post a WTB ad here. Just know that you need the key in the ignition to get the steering wheel off a junk yard car and the steering wheel has to come off to get the accessory stalks off. Also, if you do go the junk yard route, just snag the spacer ring from the car there.

you can pull out the key cylinder by sticking a wood screw in the slot where the key goes and yanking that sucker out of there... no real need for the key but it does make things easier.

Here's a DIY

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

[801coppertop]

Couldn't getting a new accessory stalk be avoided by putting the spacer on after the wheel before the locknut, hence sitting the wheel back further? Or would that not be a good idea i was thinking []wheel[] /nut? And Alex thanks for the link, lots of good info there.

[nando]

you need to get accessory stalks from a non-airbag car as well. I put an Mtech 2 wheel in my 318is, so speaking from experience here. Just go to a pick n' pull or post a WTB ad here. Just know that you need the key in the ignition to get the steering wheel off a junk yard car and the steering wheel has to come off to get the accessory stalks off. Also, if you do go the junk yard route, just snag the spacer ring from the car there.

You don't *need* the stalks. It can be nice to have, but they won't fit perfectly either. - they will be bent too far backwards.

Couldn't getting a new accessory stalk be avoided by putting the spacer on after the wheel before the locknut, hence sitting the wheel back further? Or would that not be a good idea i was thinking []wheel[] /nut? And Alex thanks for the link, lots of good info there.

if you don't space behind it your stalks will be very close to the steering wheel - uncomfortably close. so ideally you'd swap stalks as well. I have a spacer in the back and in the front, sort of a compromise, but it works well enough.

and if you space it too far, your steering lock won't work.

[nando]

That wouldn't be caused by airbag failure. In an e30, the only situation that will cause airbag deployment is a frontal crash, i.e. hitting something head on, or in some cases, getting rear ended.

I did, and nothing happened.

I'm actually glad it didn't - seat belts work fine, the whole idea originally behind SRS is for stupid people that don't wear seatbelts. Now it's different but they put fucking airbags everywhere..