Steering column swap?

[BeirBrennerE30]

I asked this question before in another thread and didnt get much a response so here it goes on its own.

If I had an air bag car and wanted to swap in a non airbag steering column. What parts would need to be changed. Column itself, Pedal box, Underdash knee bolster, plastic covers top/bottom, steering linkage(to z3 rack). Anything else? Do the wiper/light stalks interchange? ignition switch the same? Is it possible to change the actual lock cylinder from one to the other to keep the same keys?

any one have any side by side comparisons of the columns?

[BeirBrennerE30]

bumpity...

[DrMcDave]

i haven't been able to figure out how to get the lock mechanism out. Otherwise its pretty straightforward as far as I remmber. I think its going to be one of those projects were you just have to start and see what you end up needing. Its not a real common swap.

reason for swap?

[Hick]

the non airbar just uses a solid rod, airbag had a slip joint in the rod.

I dont know what is different, but i would assume that the column would need to come out. the firewall may need modified too.

the reason you are not seeing any answers is that this most likely hasnt been done.

EDIT: firewall is different but goes through a hole that is roughly the same.

column mounts to exsisting hardware in the car.

Reason for edit: Forgot my car started life as an 89 325 before i made it a 91 318is :)

[BeirBrennerE30]

reason for swap?

i dont trust airbags designed in the 80's, i am using a z3 rack, and i need to swap the pedal box so instead of hacking together 3 things I figured this would be the more OE solution.

so anyone have any more info? comparo pics? info on the ignition change?

[Hick]

rack isnt an issue, i just did mine [95 m3] a few weeks back.

its actually easier to do the swap on an airbag car! pedal box should be the same, so thats kinda irrelevant.

the ignition comes out with factory keys turned to accesories and a small pin. push the pin in [dont remember where, its been a while] then pull on the key and it slides out.

[atomic]

Why not just do a airbag steering wheel and system delete. Very simple and straight forward swap

[Knockenwelle]

I did this swap on mine. Auto->5sp, airbag delete, rekeyed, etc... What do you need to know? Here's some text from a string of PMs I had with a dude who recently did the same:

Original Post
Do you know if any year (84-88?) column fits or what...I dont wanna just go buying a bunch of columns and hope they worked...figured youd know the answer since you just swapped. Thanks!

Yes. They're all the same. I used one from an '84 parts car. I have a spare from a non-airbag '90 if you need one. You'll have to change the pedal box to the earlier version, but don't listen to the bitching: It's a 15 minute job if you do the column at the same time. Also, you will need the column hanger bracket from a donor car. I don't have one of those. It's like an intermediate bracket that bolts between the column and the dash. Also, there's an anchor plate that bolts to the firewall. I think the non- and airbag versions are different, but can't remember for sure.

You can (but obviously don't have to) change the lock cylinder to accept your existing key. It's a bitch to learn the trick, but a 30-second job once known. You're also gonna need the 2-joint steering coupler, but I think you said you already had one. The rack splines are the same, but the coupler IS directional (different splines on each end). The plastic trim for the bottom half of the column needs to be non-airbag, and you will have to modify the knee bolster under it to make them work together, or just leave it off. All that shit is just for NVH and airbag/column reinforcement anyways. No change to lock plate or steering wheel: You can use any wheel you want.

One more caution: You will have to deal with the dreaded shear bolts. There's no way around it, and they fucking suck. Some goddamn kraut is laughing in his grave at all of us trying to work on E30 columns. Either plug weld a nut onto the cone, or use a hammer and chisel to rotate the head. Don't try to remove the head or you'll be there forever. The good news is that after all that, they're standard M8 threads, so regular bolts go back in.

Have fun! I know it sounds like a lot of work, but if you're a purist and like things neat and clean, this is the way to go. Those airbag columns don't even have a lower bearing; it's all just plastic bushings and no real support.

[BeirBrennerE30]

I did this swap on mine. Auto->5sp, airbag delete, rekeyed, etc... What do you need to know? Here's some text from a string of PMs I had with a dude who recently did the same:

Original Post
Do you know if any year (84-88?) column fits or what...I dont wanna just go buying a bunch of columns and hope they worked...figured youd know the answer since you just swapped. Thanks!

Yes. They're all the same. I used one from an '84 parts car. I have a spare from a non-airbag '90 if you need one. You'll have to change the pedal box to the earlier version, but don't listen to the bitching: It's a 15 minute job if you do the column at the same time. Also, you will need the column hanger bracket from a donor car. I don't have one of those. It's like an intermediate bracket that bolts between the column and the dash. Also, there's an anchor plate that bolts to the firewall. I think the non- and airbag versions are different, but can't remember for sure.

You can (but obviously don't have to) change the lock cylinder to accept your existing key. It's a bitch to learn the trick, but a 30-second job once known. You're also gonna need the 2-joint steering coupler, but I think you said you already had one. The rack splines are the same, but the coupler IS directional (different splines on each end). The plastic trim for the bottom half of the column needs to be non-airbag, and you will have to modify the knee bolster under it to make them work together, or just leave it off. All that shit is just for NVH and airbag/column reinforcement anyways. No change to lock plate or steering wheel: You can use any wheel you want.

One more caution: You will have to deal with the dreaded shear bolts. There's no way around it, and they fucking suck. Some goddamn kraut is laughing in his grave at all of us trying to work on E30 columns. Either plug weld a nut onto the cone, or use a hammer and chisel to rotate the head. Don't try to remove the head or you'll be there forever. The good news is that after all that, they're standard M8 threads, so regular bolts go back in.

Have fun! I know it sounds like a lot of work, but if you're a purist and like things neat and clean, this is the way to go. Those airbag columns don't even have a lower bearing; it's all just plastic bushings and no real support.

GREAT info!!!

so it looks like I need: the column, upper mount, pedal box, firewall plate, lower plastic surround, non airbag knee bolster, a steering wheel of my choosing and re-key the column and im good to go.

any modding need to be done or is it all bolt in plug and play? the firewall plate bolts nto the car no issue? both cars use the same dash and upper plastic cover?

[Knockenwelle]

Yes, it's like building Legos. Everything just bolts right up, no drilling, etc..., as long as you change it ALL to non-airbag. I dunno about the non-airbag knee bolster, though I'm inclined to believe that it won't bolt on to airbag-style brackets. Mine is still not there. The firewall plate has the same bolt pattern; it's just the way it holds the column that's different. If you can pull it with the non-airbag column, it will just bolt in and you don't even have to loosen the clamp. Same dash, and I think the same upper cover, too.

[BeirBrennerE30]

I dunno about the non-airbag knee bolster, though I'm inclined to believe that it won't bolt on to airbag-style brackets. Mine is still not there.

which airbag style brackets are you talking about? If the dash and lower plastic cover is the same the knee bolster should screw into the dash I would think? am I missing something. I have never seen what is under the airbad knee bolster by the way. There something different under there from the non airbag cars that the coloumn swap wouldnt replace. Thanks again for the info

[Huff]

rack isnt an issue, i just did mine [95 m3] a few weeks back.

its actually easier to do the swap on an airbag car! pedal box should be the same, so thats kinda irrelevant.

the ignition comes out with factory keys turned to accesories and a small pin. push the pin in [dont remember where, its been a while] then pull on the key and it slides out.

I swapped into a 95 M3 rack also on my '90 airbag car. I found that using the airbag steering column was way easier because the column telescopes in and out. It gives you more adjustment room than a non-airbag column. I didn't have to change the knuckle or anything thanks to this extra adjustment. All I had to was open the hole in the firewall about 1/8 of an inch (I could/ can easily still use the rubber boot also).

Just trying to talk you out of that extra little bit of work. :)

[DrMcDave]

I think that the late models have a different metal knee bar type thing that is different. snap a pic with the panel off. I don't have access to an early model but I think I remember my old car being different.

[Huff]

I think that the late models have a different metal knee bar type thing that is different. snap a pic with the panel off. I don't have access to an early model but I think I remember my old car being different.

As far as the knee bolster goes, it has 2 metal tabs welded to the uni-body for the hollow aluminum knee bolster backing. It's a pain to put those tabs in, so most people jimmy the bolster in without that main backing/ support.

[StereoInstaller1]

About those shear bolts: Cut a slot in them with a dremel, use a standard screwdriver.