4-Spoke to 3-Spoke Airbag Cover Swap?

[TurboBrickTom]

Hello everyone again,

As some of you know from my last thread I recently bought the vcds for my car. That also means I can put in my wheel with the flappy paddles. Now the only issue I have atm is I don't have an airbag for the 3 spoke. I read allot about the conversion but not about whether this can be done, I want to just buy a 3 spoke cover and put it on my airbag from the 4 spoke. Is this possible and will it work?

Thanks.

[KingWulfgar]

I wouldn't try it. You're playing with an explosive doing that. Just go find a 3-spoke airbag.

[TurboBrickTom]

Well to a point, yeah I guess. But it's an explosive that cannot be triggered without electricity, so it won't go off with it unplugged.

[james12lucy]

I've been wondering the same thing, actually. They connect identically, so it's not a matter of it exploding, and I think the shape is the same, as well. If I had a three spoke steering wheel, I'd offer to test the theory.

[Charles.waite]

Well to a point, yeah I guess. But it's an explosive that cannot be triggered without electricity, so it won't go off with it unplugged.

You really want to test that theory? They really don't need much current/voltage to be triggered...

[james12lucy]

You really want to test that theory? They really don't need much current/voltage to be triggered...

Step 1: disconnect battery.
Step 2: disconnect air bag
Step 3: remove air bag
Step 4: test fit air bag in secondary, uninstalled wheel
Step 5: might or might not physically fit
Step 6: If fits, ensure connectors are identical
Step 7: if identical, reinstall in reverse order

[TurboBrickTom]

Well I've seen airbags be taken out of a cover many times before, even done it myself. Im more asking if the actual airbag from the 4-spoke wheel can fit in a 3-spoke cover and wheel. This will probably be something I do try, as from what I can tell it is a common question that never really gets answered in. Terms of swapping the wheel.

[jubegnx]

I have a 4 spoke air bag and just got a 3 spoke wheel, will try this tonight or tomorrow. Let you know how it goes...

[i3oricua]

Well I've seen airbags be taken out of a cover many times before, even done it myself. Im more asking if the actual airbag from the 4-spoke wheel can fit in a 3-spoke cover and wheel. This will probably be something I do try, as from what I can tell it is a common question that never really gets answered in. Terms of swapping the wheel.

My understanding is that it does not fit. I believe ericw. on here tried and it just simply wouldn't fit because of the size or fitment difference.

[TurboBrickTom]

My understanding is that it does not fit. I believe ericw. on here tried and it just simply wouldn't fit because of the size or fitment difference.

Any link or anything on that? I would like to see his write up

[TurboBrickTom]

My question now would be, is there any difference between the 3-spoke airbags? Or will any 3-spoke shield airbag fit with any 3-spoke wheel?

[i3oricua]

Any link or anything on that? I would like to see his write up

He has no write up that I'm aware of. He stated on the "What have you done to your b7 today" thread. Probably in the last 30 pages or so.


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[Axis]

My question now would be, is there any difference between the 3-spoke airbags? Or will any 3-spoke shield airbag fit with any 3-spoke wheel?

You could use a B8 A4/S4/A5/S5 3 spoke airbag but will have to use your own aribag harness.

You can't use an A3 3 Spoke airbag since they're single stage but it wont fit anyway.

[TurboBrickTom]

You could use a B8 A4/S4/A5/S5 3 spoke airbag but will have to use your own aribag harness.

You can't use an A3 3 Spoke airbag since they're single stage but it wont fit anyway.

I think the wheel I bought might have been from an a3 anyway. I'll have to check the part numbers to be sure (although I'm not sure hownto do that yet). I know it fits, I put the wheel on without the airbag to be sure. I'm just not sure what airbag to buy. I know when I did this I put the 4 spoke airbag up to my new wheel and it didn't seem to fit right, the airbag was ever so slightly bigger then the wheel would allow.

[Axis]

I think the wheel I bought might have been from an a3 anyway. I'll have to check the part numbers to be sure (although I'm not sure hownto do that yet). I know it fits, I put the wheel on without the airbag to be sure. I'm just not sure what airbag to buy. I know when I did this I put the 4 spoke airbag up to my new wheel and it didn't seem to fit right, the airbag was ever so slightly bigger then the wheel would allow.

Iirc correctly you can put an A4 airbag in an A3 sw but not the other way around. (Not sure though)

You'll need to use the screws from your A4 airbag (A3 are longer)

[reaL]

- - - Updated - - -

I have a 4 spoke air bag and just got a 3 spoke wheel, will try this tonight or tomorrow. Let you know how it goes...

Was wondering what the result was I am in the exact same situation... Saw a bunch of covers online and wondered if it was possible.

[supple]

The last time I looked (about a year ago when I switched to 3 spoke) was that the cost of the cover itself was almost the cost of the airbag assembly... could be vastly different now maybe?