CHANGING steering wheel

rasA4

rasA4

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hi all considering changing my B5 4 spoke to a B5 3 spoke got some questions

1. how easy is this to do?
2. what tools are required i remember some else talking about they have hex type screws on the back?
3. are they the same head size as the 4 spoke?
4. what type of tool is required to take the main nut off?
5. will the car have any problems recognising the 3 spoke airbag?
SORRY so may questions

any tips and advice much appreciated .
 
they fit easily and the wheel is the same size (diameter) and depth

you need a torx tool to undo the airbag screws and a large spline tool to undo the central wheel nut (got mine from the local car factor, not difficult to get)

the airbag will be recognised but you may throw an airbag error code with it disconnected and possibly need vagcom to reset it.
 
thanks dunk
do you know what size torx need for the airbag and wheel?
anyone?
 
surely someone has changed from 4 spoke to 3 spoke?
 
just removed my steering wheel, in answer to some of your questions

2. what tools are required i remember some else talking about they have hex type screws on the back?

4mm allen key did the job for me

4. what type of tool is required to take the main nut off?

24mm socket, 1/2" ratchet with small extension fitted

hope this is of some help
 
tracer said:
just removed my steering wheel, in answer to some of your questions

2. what tools are required i remember some else talking about they have hex type screws on the back?

4mm allen key did the job for me

4. what type of tool is required to take the main nut off?

24mm socket, 1/2" ratchet with small extension fitted

hope this is of some help
Click to expand...

gr8 thanks!!!! what is yours a 4 or 3 spoke? ive been told they have different size allen keys?
cheers
p.s did you change your from 4 to 3 spoke? did u have any trouble with the
air bag light?
 
As long as you don't switch the ignition on with the airbag disconnected you shouldn't throw an airbag light error. I had to take my steering wheel off to get to the ignition barrel and got no errors afterwards.
Disconnect the earth strap on the battery to be double sure but make sure you have the stereo code.
 
mine's a four spoke, have taken it off to get to immobiliser wiring.
not sure on 3 spoke, sorry.

same as andymac i have disconnected the earth strap. going by haynes manual it says once everything is reassembled to switch iginition on first then reconnect battery. guess this just means yer nowhere near the airbag when power is first applied!?
 
ras, yours has a splined sterring wheel bolt, and you can get an error code without doing anything with the ignition. (I know I just got one!)
Don't use allen keys for your airbag bolts, if you strip them you have a lot of ball ache to get them off. A torx key set is pennies, drilling out unreachable bolt heads in the back of an airbag is not!
I have a 3 spoke wheel I am relisting on Ebay cos some tw@t still hasn't paid me for it. its off a 99 1.8t sport, 3 spoke leather, recently refurb'd with liquid leather, smells and feels new, should be able to pick up an airbag easy enough, any 3 spoke bag. PM me if interested
 
I have recently changed my SE spec 4 spoke steering wheel for a quattro/sport spec 3 spoke. With my car being a 1997, and yours a 2000, i am not sure they will be exactly the same.

To be brief, you need to disconnect the negative earth cable from the battery. You then need a torx type key (similar shape to an allen key), to get the airbag retaining bolts undone. You then disconnect the airbag wiring, under the cowling. You then carefully remove the airbag. There is then a 24mm retaining nut holding the steering wheel onto the column. A rachet will do the trick here. Haynes recommend the nut to be renewed before refitting, but this is not necessary. And you guessed it, refitting is a reversal of removal.

There is one very important point though, make sure you have the ignition key in the on possition before you reconnect the battery negative terminal, to avoid the airbag warning light to stay on. Hope this helps.
 
well each to his own but I specifically didn't disconnect the battery.
airbags don't go off on parked cars.
leave you ignition off, it won't go off (unless you try to remove it with a shotgun).
 
Just get a set of driver bits from Wickes - £3.95, includes Torx, Allen and security star bits.
 
if you have a pound land in your town try there....i got a set from exactly like that set on ebay for a......pound lol

alan
 
thanks anymac and 205man ill try these
 
did you find a wheel in the end?
 
AndyMac said:
Just get a set of driver bits from Wickes - £3.95, includes Torx, Allen and security star bits.
Click to expand...

Thanx a lot AndyMac what a bargain well made wickes tool, id never would have thought they would sell these i paid 3.49 for a 8 piece torx hand held tool not the same as you have but just what i require.
 
I'm still on the lookout for a 4 spoke leather wheel as fitted to se spec models to suit my 98 A4 Avant. Anyone got one of these spare. I don't need the airbag as I'm looking to replace my non-leather 4 spoke wheel (assuming that the airbag will be the same).

I've been on the lookout on ebay for a bit but it only seems to be the sport 3 spokes which come up, then I need a different airbag and then it's getting into silly money...let me know if there's one out there.

Mykaloon
 
mykaloon said:
I'm still on the lookout for a 4 spoke leather wheel as fitted to se spec models to suit my 98 A4 Avant. Anyone got one of these spare. I don't need the airbag as I'm looking to replace my non-leather 4 spoke wheel (assuming that the airbag will be the same).

I've been on the lookout on ebay for a bit but it only seems to be the sport 3 spokes which come up, then I need a different airbag and then it's getting into silly money...let me know if there's one out there.

Mykaloon
Click to expand...
you will have to be patient they do come up if i see one ill PM you.
have you tried your local breakers?
 
ras i changed from a 4 spoke b5 to a 3 spoke b6 s4 steering wheel u can see the wheel on my interior post
 
thanks jase i have seen your post already your motor is the bizzo.
 
all fitted ok here the answers to my questions just incase anyone else is interested.
1. how easy is this to do? ---very easy
2. what tools are required i remember some else talking about they have hex type screws on the back? --10mm spanner to disconect the battery torx T30 for the airbag screws and M12 spline bit.
3. are they the same head size as the 4 spoke?-- yes
4. what type of tool is required to take the main nut off?--- M12 spline bit
5. will the car have any problems recognising the 3 spoke airbag? --none at all for me.
Click to expand...

thanks for all your input
 
Hey Jase when you've finished you will have ended up building a complete B6 from a B5!
 
ya probs right andy i just fancied doin summat a little bit different and got carried away lol
 
someone won my 3 spoke leather A4 sport wheel and didn't pay up, pm me for details if anyone is interested!
 
jcb said:
someone won my 3 spoke leather A4 sport wheel and didn't pay up, pm me for details if anyone is interested!
Click to expand...

report them to ebay i remember u saying this before did u relist?
 
rasA4 said:
report them to ebay i remember u saying this before did u relist?
Click to expand...
this is the 3rd time i have sold it
1) didn't pay because he missed out on the airbag - made him pay me the list and final valuation price
2) didn't pay because he was in ireland and couldn't sort out paypal or bank drafts
3) bloke with a "private" feedback status just hasn't responded.

i have sold a phone recently, same deal, 3 scammers looking for shipping before payment.
seriously p1ssed of with ebay and paypal

anyway - open to offers, needs to go - it is just the wheel btw
 
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