Swapping Steering Wheels. Labor Time? Just want to get an Idea on $$$

[Nikki]

I have the boring Steering Wheel and found a 3- Spoke one. And want to swap it out. The Airbag is already in it. I have no idea what kind of time it takes. My mechanic charges $95 an hour and was wondering if it’s less than that?

Thanks!

[alhutch]

I have the boring Steering Wheel and found a 3- Spoke one. And want to swap it out. The Airbag is already in it. I have no idea what kind of time it takes. My mechanic charges $95 an hour and was wondering if it’s less than that?

Thanks!

It takes very little time with the proper tools, certainly less than an hour.

[hardfive]

If it's a b8 its 2 screws on the wheel that allow you to get the airbag out and a triple square to remove the wheel and 2 air bag clips. 5-10 minutes.

B8.5 is harder as they replaced the screws with some god damn pressure clips that I personally cant seem to manipulate.

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[Nikki]

Thanks! I was worried it was going to cost $200 😳

- - - Updated - - -

Ugh, that’s frustrating. This makes me feel better, that it seems not complicated. Thanks! 😀

[dapeople]

labor time for the steering wheel is minimal if you need to reprogram some of the steering wheel functions abt an hour of labor extra.

[Smac770]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2XwsIN8V_Q

I wasn't sure how it would be with the two at the start, but seems like a clear, complete video. Can see pretty clearly how the trapezoid airbags are screwed in while the round airbags are snap in. For the round airbag wheels, with the snaps instead of the screws, appears that to disengage the snaps at removal recommends a 100mm long T25 torx to leverage the clips open; guessing they just snap closed on installation.

They do neglect to replace and properly torque the steering wheel bolt. 50Nm, and it's identified as "replace if removed".

And they do seem to not disconnect the battery negative before starting and reconnecting it only after being finished. But hey, maybe they were hoping for a "oh snap, airbag sucker punch" viral vid.

[Smac770]

What I get for skipping through; he clearly shows working with the snaps at 44s.

[SNice]

It’s a 5-10 min job with the right tools. All I needed was the triple square bit and a small screwdriver for the clips.
I did not disconnect the battery - I realize I took a chance there and do not advise others to do the same.
I have a b8.5. The key to releasing the clips is to depress the horn - that releases the pressure off the clips and then you can slide slide them out with the screwdriver from the back. You have to do one side at a time. Another thing is that you have to leave the door open while you are working so the steering wheel does not lock. That allows you to release one clip, turn the wheel, and then release the other.

When I powered everything back up, all buttons worked fine. I did have to turn on the shift paddles through obdeleven.

The steering wheel upgrade is one of my favorite mods! Enjoy!

[SNice]

Torque wrench was needed too!

[Peter.dupuis]

Install on a b8.5 took me about 10 min but I swapped in a s6 wheel so I had to go back into the connector and switch around some pins. Controls work now just need to program paddles.

Also, someone mentioned the wheel bolt is torqued? This wasn’t the case on either of my b8.5’s when I removed the stock wheel


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[eljay]

It’s a 5-10 min job with the right tools. All I needed was the triple square bit and a small screwdriver for the clips.
I did not disconnect the battery - I realize I took a chance there and do not advise others to do the same.
I have a b8.5. The key to releasing the clips is to depress the horn - that releases the pressure off the clips and then you can slide slide them out with the screwdriver from the back. You have to do one side at a time. Another thing is that you have to leave the door open while you are working so the steering wheel does not lock. That allows you to release one clip, turn the wheel, and then release the other.

When I powered everything back up, all buttons worked fine. I did have to turn on the shift paddles through obdeleven.

The steering wheel upgrade is one of my favorite mods! Enjoy!

Agreed with the above tips, but make sure you do disconnect the battery! Not just for the risk of having airbag codes after installation, but the significant risk of getting airbag deployed in your face, which can kill you. You are dealing with an explosive device. It doesn't go off by itself and several conditions have to be met, but respect all warnings on this one.

Regarding coding, if the wheels have the same physical buttons and the airbags are of the same type (single stage vs dual stage), the swap is straight-forward and takes 10 minutes with the rights tools (thin screwdriver, M12 triple-square bit, torque wrench).

[Nano909]

I did it myself in less than 20 minutes, coding included.