Airbag module flush with steering wheel cover?

e90wraith · 07-03-2007, 01:18 AM

I have a rather anal question:

Does your airbag module sit flush with the steering wheel cover? That is, do the parts 3 and 7 in the diagram below mate perfectly or is there a small gap between them? The reason I ask is that I had my steering column replaced because of the infamous ELV malfunction, and the dealer disassembled and reassembled my steering wheel. My wife thinks that there was no gap between the airbag module and the wheel cover, but now there is - about 3 mm. Could someone check his or her steering wheel? By the way, I have the sport steering wheel (not the non-sport package wheel) as shown below.

TIA.

BK · 07-03-2007, 09:41 AM

Surprised nobody has answered this yet, it's such an easy question.

I'll try to remember to check during lunch. Off the top of my head, I think mine may have a very slight gap, but less than 1mm. 3mm sounds like a lot!

If no one responds, you can always go by the dealer (if it is close enough to you) and peek at the other cars on the lot. Then you'd be right there to have them fix it if it's not right.

txusa03 · 07-03-2007, 09:46 AM

No gaps. If the gap is big enuf for you to notice it and it appears that it also bother you, then the installation is not correct. have them fix it. I like BK idea as well. If not too much trouble, go to dealer and see what other car on their lot looks like. It would help as all out too if you had taken a photo of this 3 mm gap you are talking about. I am not good at metric.

canucklion · 07-03-2007, 09:52 AM

3mm is about 1/8 inches

there is a gap on mine, I would say about 2mm. I really don't see they screwing up the install as the airbag needs to be clipped in, so either you get a REALLY BIG gap (way more than 3mm that's for sure) or a tiny gap

Quote:

Originally Posted by txusa03

No gaps. If the gap is big enuf for you to notice it and it appears that it also bother you, then the installation is not correct. have them fix it. I like BK idea as well. If not too much trouble, go to dealer and see what other car on their lot looks like. It would help as all out too if you had taken a photo of this 3 mm gap you are talking about. I am not good at metric.

e92sam · 07-03-2007, 09:59 AM

Mine is 2 to 3mm gap between parts 3 and 7. I assume its because the horn requires some play when you push on part #3.
My selection of 'tape measures' kept me from being precise, its probably closer to 2mm.

canucklion · 07-03-2007, 10:13 AM

that's what I figured as well, otherwise, you woulldn't be able to press on the horn, but like you said, my measurement was just off the top of my head, it's 2 to 3 mm gap, point to the OP is, your steering wheel should be fine, if you're really worried, post up a pic so we can compare it to our car

Quote:

Originally Posted by e92sam

Mine is 2 to 3mm gap between parts 3 and 7. I assume its because the horn requires some play when you push on part #3.
My selection of 'tape measures' kept me from being precise, its probably closer to 2mm.

e92sam · 07-03-2007, 10:41 AM

Best I could get (it's early).

txusa03 · 07-03-2007, 11:16 AM

e92sam, that is normal.

e92sam · 07-03-2007, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txusa03

e92sam, that is normal.

Hope the OP is seeing the same thing and has no problem.

e90wraith · 07-03-2007, 12:01 PM

e92sam,

Thank you for the photo. My gap definitely looks a lot larger. If the airbag is just clipped on, maybe I should try pushing it in further.

Thanks for your help everyone! I need to go back to the dealer for other things, so I'll check out the other e90s then.

BK · 07-03-2007, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90wraith

Thanks for your help everyone! I need to go back to the dealer for other things, so I'll check out the other e90s then.

I forgot to check the gap on my steering wheel during lunch, but I did check it on my way home tonight. It's a bit larger gap on my wheel than in e92sam's photo, so I bet yours is fine. Do have a look at other cars while you're there, though, for peace of mind.

canucklion · 07-04-2007, 08:22 AM

the gap on mine is a bit larger as well, can you take a pic? I'll take a pic of mine to compare

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

I forgot to check the gap on my steering wheel during lunch, but I did check it on my way home tonight. It's a bit larger gap on my wheel than in e92sam's photo, so I bet yours is fine. Do have a look at other cars while you're there, though, for peace of mind.

1clean335i · 07-04-2007, 08:25 AM

If you made it home and the airbag hasnt fallen in your lap yet than I would assume its in place correctly

There are a few springs behind that airbag which give it play for the horn to function. Its normal.

poiney · 07-04-2007, 10:29 AM

my gap looks wider than the photo.

This reminds me of the warning-visor-label thread that I wish I hadn't read - didn't notice before.

canucklion · 07-04-2007, 10:33 AM

I KNOW, same feeling, I thought my was all good and dandy until I saw e92sam's photo, damn you e92sam

poiney, would you mind snapping a pic of yours for comparison?

Quote:

Originally Posted by poiney

my gap looks wider than the photo.

This reminds me of the warning-visor-label thread that I wish I hadn't read - didn't notice before.

BK · 07-04-2007, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canucklion

the gap on mine is a bit larger as well, can you take a pic? I'll take a pic of mine to compare

I'll go do it right now (serious)... hold on.

canucklion · 07-04-2007, 12:54 PM

cool, I'll take a pic of my steering wheel later tonight as well!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

I'll go do it right now (serious)... hold on.

BK · 07-04-2007, 01:24 PM

Okay, here are some photos. As you can see, if you look at it from the right angle, you can see a gap, which is bigger than I thought. From the front or at less of an angle, you can't really see it. I bet the OP's is normal.

canucklion · 07-04-2007, 01:26 PM

wow

BK, your photos are really nice! they look very professional.

K, no need for pictures of my steering wheel then, mine's the same as yours, if you look at it from the side, you see a bit of a gap, but at other angles, not so much

BK · 07-04-2007, 01:35 PM

LOL, thanks. With my BMW-induced obsessive compulsive disorder, I notice a few specks of dust on my wheel in the shots... have to do an interior cleaning soon.

canucklion · 07-04-2007, 01:39 PM

your photos have relieved my temporary OCD on my steering wheel

now I can relax and work

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

LOL, thanks. With my BMW-induced obsessive compulsive disorder, I notice a few specks of dust on my wheel in the shots... have to do an interior cleaning soon.

poiney · 07-04-2007, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canucklion

I KNOW, same feeling, I thought my was all good and dandy until I saw e92sam's photo, damn you e92sam

poiney, would you mind snapping a pic of yours for comparison?

looks like the photo below. I measured it accurately.

The gap around the sides (and bottom) ~ 3 mm, if I measure the gap with the ruler parallel to the steering wheel column (i.e., normal to the face of steering wheel).

The gap on the top (that looks largest) ~ 4 mm, if I also measure the gap with the ruler spanning the gap (i.e., the ruler is still fairly parallel to steering wheel column).

07-03-2007, 01:18 AM	#1
e90wraith Private 37 Rep 69 Posts Drives: E90 325i Jet Blk Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (0)	Airbag module flush with steering wheel cover? I have a rather anal question: Does your airbag module sit flush with the steering wheel cover? That is, do the parts 3 and 7 in the diagram below mate perfectly or is there a small gap between them? The reason I ask is that I had my steering column replaced because of the infamous ELV malfunction, and the dealer disassembled and reassembled my steering wheel. My wife thinks that there was no gap between the airbag module and the wheel cover, but now there is - about 3 mm. Could someone check his or her steering wheel? By the way, I have the sport steering wheel (not the non-sport package wheel) as shown below. TIA. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

07-03-2007, 09:41 AM	#2
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	Surprised nobody has answered this yet, it's such an easy question. I'll try to remember to check during lunch. Off the top of my head, I think mine may have a very slight gap, but less than 1mm. 3mm sounds like a lot! If no one responds, you can always go by the dealer (if it is close enough to you) and peek at the other cars on the lot. Then you'd be right there to have them fix it if it's not right. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-03-2007, 09:46 AM	#3
txusa03 Major General 550 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	No gaps. If the gap is big enuf for you to notice it and it appears that it also bother you, then the installation is not correct. have them fix it. I like BK idea as well. If not too much trouble, go to dealer and see what other car on their lot looks like. It would help as all out too if you had taken a photo of this 3 mm gap you are talking about. I am not good at metric. __________________ under construction!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-03-2007, 09:59 AM	#5
e92sam Private First Class 2 Rep 115 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: southern california iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 e92 [0.00]	Mine is 2 to 3mm gap between parts 3 and 7. I assume its because the horn requires some play when you push on part #3. My selection of 'tape measures' kept me from being precise, its probably closer to 2mm. __________________ Ordered: 4/1/07, Picked up 5/20, e92/328i, Deep Green, Saddle, Lt. Poplar, ZSP, ZPP, Step, Nav, Logic 7, CA, PRS, PDC, 6FL Ipod, Sirius
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-03-2007, 10:41 AM	#7
e92sam Private First Class 2 Rep 115 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: southern california iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 e92 [0.00]	Best I could get (it's early). Attached Images __________________ Ordered: 4/1/07, Picked up 5/20, e92/328i, Deep Green, Saddle, Lt. Poplar, ZSP, ZPP, Step, Nav, Logic 7, CA, PRS, PDC, 6FL Ipod, Sirius
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-03-2007, 11:16 AM	#8
txusa03 Major General 550 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	e92sam, that is normal. __________________ under construction!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-03-2007, 12:01 PM	#10
e90wraith Private 37 Rep 69 Posts Drives: E90 325i Jet Blk Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (0)	e92sam, Thank you for the photo. My gap definitely looks a lot larger. If the airbag is just clipped on, maybe I should try pushing it in further. Thanks for your help everyone! I need to go back to the dealer for other things, so I'll check out the other e90s then.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-04-2007, 08:25 AM	#13
1clean335i Perf BMW mag issue 147, 159 414 Rep 6,803 Posts Drives: Project Estoril Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (31) Garage List 2013 335i M-sport [0.00] 2011 X5 xdrive35i M ... [0.00] 2009 335i M-sport [0.00] 07' 335i Sedan [0.00]	If you made it home and the airbag hasnt fallen in your lap yet than I would assume its in place correctly There are a few springs behind that airbag which give it play for the horn to function. Its normal. __________________ '13 Estoril Blue 335i M-sport *Don't PM me!* Message me here- http://www.facebook.com/ProjectEstoril
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-04-2007, 10:29 AM	#14
poiney Captain 36 Rep 798 Posts Drives: 328i coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SJ iTrader: (0)	my gap looks wider than the photo. This reminds me of the warning-visor-label thread that I wish I hadn't read - didn't notice before.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-04-2007, 01:24 PM	#18
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	Okay, here are some photos. As you can see, if you look at it from the right angle, you can see a gap, which is bigger than I thought. From the front or at less of an angle, you can't really see it. I bet the OP's is normal. Attached Images __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-04-2007, 01:26 PM	#19
canucklion pull my finger to get your kinder® surprise 148 Rep 10,455 Posts Drives: circles around you Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (9)	wow BK, your photos are really nice! they look very professional. K, no need for pictures of my steering wheel then, mine's the same as yours, if you look at it from the side, you see a bit of a gap, but at other angles, not so much __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-04-2007, 01:35 PM	#20
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	LOL, thanks. With my BMW-induced obsessive compulsive disorder, I notice a few specks of dust on my wheel in the shots... have to do an interior cleaning soon. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote