Help changing steering wheel on '89 635CSi

[brooklynbimmer]

Hi guys, first time poster after acquiring a 1989 BMW 635CSi (US model with airbag wheel). Thanks for all the great info here.

I have an airbag wheel and I want to install an 370mm M Tech (fine spline), but I cannot find a definitive guide for doing this.

From what I've read, once the airbag wheel is off, I'll need to install some kind of spacing washers before the new wheel goes on.

Has anyone come across instructions for this or could provide guidance?

Cheers!

[DesktopDave]

If the later E24 is anything like the late E30, there's a small sleeve spacer/collar that fits between the wheel and the column. It's machined with a step to fit tightly into the steering wheel. I believe they are the same, I have used E30 stalks in my E24.

If the E24 airbag wheels are like the E30 version, you'll also need a different set of control stalks, or you'll need to bend the ones you already have. The signal & washer stalks have slightly different offsets since the airbag wheel rim sits a little closer to the driver, I'm not 100% sure about the CC stalk.

[JimPA]

Congrats and welcome. My '88 already had the M Tech wheel when I bought it. However, it was done the cheap way: the control stalks weren't changed. That means the clearance between the back of the wheel and the stalk was a little tight, especially for the turn signal IIRC. The solution is either a pre-airbag set of stalks (from 1987 models and earlier) or perform a cold set (bend) your existing stalks. The downside to bending is that they can break.

Similarly, you may also want to get the check panel from a pre-airbag car (e.g., 1987). Or, pull the bulb from the air bag warning light in the existing panel. A warning light in the panel will illuminate because the car will be looking for the connection to an airbag, which won't be there with the M Tech wheel.