Replace steering wheel

[andrewaw]

Looking at the full air leather option for my '16 S7 to replace the plain leather flat bottom. Is this something I should be able to do myself or would I likely need a professional install ? http://europrice.us/steering-wheel-p...s7-flat-bottom

Thanks for input from those who have done this!

[fatboydelights]

Is it any thicker? The thickness on the S wheels has been a bit disappointing

[andrewaw]

It's the RS wheel which I loved on my RS5.. I think it is thicker and I agree with you !! That is why I want it and I like the sportier look of the perforated / open air leather


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[VeryBadman]

You can totally DIY. Here are the steps:

1. Unplug the battery in the spare tire area in the trunk
2. Turn the steering wheel for 90 degrees, unclip the airbag holder from behind
3. Turn the steering wheel for 180 degrees to the other side, unclip another holder.
3. Pull airbag out, unplug all the harnesses
4. Remove the airbag out of your way
5. Use T55 torque bit to remove the bolt that hold the steering wheel
6. Pull the steering wheel out
7. Reverse the steps above and you are done


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[andrewaw]

Sweet thank you! Unplugging battery protects against airbag deploying correct ? Is this more complicated with the steering wheel multi function controls ?


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[andrewaw]

Also my s7 is only two weeks old I assume I could sell the OEM one I remove ?


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[VVG]

You can totally DIY. Here are the steps:

1. Unplug the battery in the spare tire area in the trunk
2. Turn the steering wheel for 90 degrees, unclip the airbag holder from behind
3. Turn the steering wheel for 180 degrees to the other side, unclip another holder.
3. Pull airbag out, unplug all the harnesses
4. Remove the airbag out of your way
5. Use T55 torque bit to remove the bolt that hold the steering wheel
6. Pull the steering wheel out
7. Reverse the steps above and you are done


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How do you turn the wheel with the battery disconnected?

[VeryBadman]

Sweet thank you! Unplugging battery protects against airbag deploying correct ? Is this more complicated with the steering wheel multi function controls ?


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That's correct. There is always a market for steering wheel. I had no problem selling my round steering wheel at all.

[VeryBadman]

How do you turn the wheel with the battery disconnected?

Good question, once you disconnect the battery you won't have steering pump to assist you so you will have to use more force to turn the wheel but it's totally doable. An alternative would be unclip the airbag without unplugging the harnesses before disconnecting the battery.

[RAF_S7]

Good question, once you disconnect the battery you won't have steering pump to assist you so you will have to use more force to turn the wheel but it's totally doable. An alternative would be unclip the airbag without unplugging the harnesses before disconnecting the battery.

This is not doable without the engine running.

The S7 has fly-by-wire steering, its completely electric motor driven, so if you disconnect the battery you cannot start the car to turn the wheel.

To the OP, if you use a mirror (or the front cam of a smartphone) you will be able to see the small holes that you need to put a thin flat blade screwdriver through in order to unclip the airbag (as above) You just lever the bar, and the airbag will spring out, one side at a time. Do not disconnect the airbag at this point.

You should then straighten the steering wheel, before turning the ignition off and disconnecting the airbag. If you disconnect the airbag, then start the car to straighten the wheel, you will likely through a fault code, and light the airbag fault indicator. You cannot clear this unless you have VCDS (VAG-Com) or take it to the dealer.

To remove the steering wheel you need to use a splined socket to remove the bolt (its not a nut) - Sorry I can't remember the size. It looks like this

[IMG][/IMG]

Ive put the RS7 wheel in my S7, and its much improved over the standard smooth wheel.

Its literally a 5 minute job, and as you already have a flat bottom wheel, you should be able to swap the airbag right over.

[andrewaw]

JKWELSH
thank you! Do you remember where you ordered wheel from? Should UK models and US models be the same? I would think there is a difference in the steering wheel ? Feel free to PM me with exactly what you bought if you don't mind?


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[VeryBadman]

This is not doable without the engine running.

The S7 has fly-by-wire steering, its completely electric motor driven, so if you disconnect the battery you cannot start the car to turn the wheel.

Not sure if 2016 S7 is any difference from 2014 RS7 but I totally can turn the steering wheel as long as it doesn't lock before disconnecting the battery. However, it will be super heavy that you may think it can't turn.

Anyway, it's good to know if they are really different.

[RAF_S7]

Hey Andrew,

The European and US wheels are the same.

You can fit a flat bottomed wheel from any of the RS range to your S7, as long as it has paddle shifters, and the * button on the right hand side. It does not have to be from an RS7.

The newer wheels all have the slightly longer paddles. The badge at the bottom can be changed (if you want it to read RS7) Where you need to be careful is in how the airbag is fitted. Early wheels use a completely different airbag mounting system, so you must find one comparable with your existing wheel (which will have the spring bar attached to the actual wheel) - my best advice is pop your existing airbag off, and have a look - you don't need to disconnect the airbag to look.

I actually purchased mine from eBay, however I knew exactly what to look for.

There are a number of US suppliers (in the forum) who can supply you with the exact wheel you need if your unsure.

Otherwise just run a search on eBay for the RS7 Steering wheel. Don't forget to extend your search to world wide ;-)

[RAF_S7]

Not sure if 2016 S7 is any difference from 2014 RS7 but I totally can turn the steering wheel as long as it doesn't lock before disconnecting the battery. However, it will be super heavy that you may think it can't turn.

Anyway, it's good to know if they are really different.

Well its too heavy for me to turn without, so I definitely recommend running the engine to turn the wheel

[andrewaw]

Thank you very much!!!


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[VVG]

Well its too heavy for me to turn without, so I definitely recommend running the engine to turn the wheel

Agreed. On my 2014 S6, if I start to turn the wheel with the ignition off, the wheel locks almost immediately.

[RAF_S7]

No problem.

Check out these guys. Ive ordered a few parts from them previously. They have a great Carbon shop as well (link is at the bottom of their web page)

https://www.bks-tuning.com/oem-audi-...at-bottom.html

[andrewaw]

Did you have them change the emblem to s7 from rs7 on the wheel?
One other question I'm sorry! So you lever the clips up and the air bag pops out and then I need to disconnect battery after I rs straighten wheel correct? Prior to disconnecting the airbag? I just want to be safe and make sure I understand!
Thank you very much

[RAF_S7]

Did you have them change the emblem to s7 from rs7 on the wheel?
One other question I'm sorry! So you lever the clips up and the air bag pops out and then I need to disconnect battery after I rs straighten wheel correct? Prior to disconnecting the airbag? I just want to be safe and make sure I understand!
Thank you very much

You don't need to disconnect the battery.... (Ive not disconnected, and Ive changed wheels 3 times now on A6/A7/S7, and not had any issues)

The important thing is not to start the car, with the airbag disconnected, otherwise it will throw a code.

Straightening the wheel just makes it easier to fit the new wheel - there is a "notch" on both the wheel and the steering column, to assist with getting the steering wheel on straight. (you can't see the notch when the wheel bolt is fitted - at least from what I can remember)

To refit the airbag you just plug it up, set it in place, and push on the left and right side, till the clips re-engage.

BKS supply with the RS7 badge fitted. If you go down the used route, its an easy swap (you can order the correct badge from the dealer)

http://etka.cc/audi/part_single/cata.../lang/e#sec_16

[andrewaw]

JKWELSH-
Thanks again for everything. I am getting ready to order. One additional question. I asked the manufacturer and they recommend an m12triple square bit, which I think is what you shoed in your pic. How do I know how tight to make it when putting the new wheel on? he said specs are 50nm torque, so do I need to measure it or do yo just make it "tight"
Thanks so much!!!

Andrew

[RAF_S7]

JKWELSH-
Thanks again for everything. I am getting ready to order. One additional question. I asked the manufacturer and they recommend an m12triple square bit, which I think is what you shoed in your pic. How do I know how tight to make it when putting the new wheel on? he said specs are 50nm torque, so do I need to measure it or do yo just make it "tight"
Thanks so much!!!

Andrew

Just make it tight. There is no need to over tighten, as the wheel is on a splined shaft, so its not going to "slip" anywhere once its placed in position.

Regarding the size of the bolt. EKTA identifies it as an M18X1 - I actually bought one of these from eBay (also available in Halfords, but at more than double the cost)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BERGEN-SPL...IAAOSwv0tVL~Hm

Im pretty sure the bolt is bigger than an M12. With the set you have all bases covered.

Also, you will need a short extension bar, to reach the bolt without catching the actual wheel, as its somewhat recessed.

Have you sourced a wheel yet?

[Fast4DR S6]

Was looking for a wheel that was thicker then the OEM wheel, something similar to a Ferrari or McLaren.
Was not cheap, but well worth it!

[andrewaw]

Was looking for a wheel that was thicker then the OEM wheel, something similar to a Ferrari or McLaren.
Was not cheap, but well worth it!

gorgeous!!!! absolutely gorgeous!! how much thicker do you think it is? where did you get it?

[Fast4DR S6]

Thank You My Friend!

I would start here, and this is the newest revision to this wheel which displays LED lights for shifting. Just like the last Ferrari i drove

First Class, top of the line products.......

http://neidfaktor.com/en/shop/neidfa...udi-from-2006/

gorgeous!!!! absolutely gorgeous!! how much thicker do you think it is? where did you get it?

[Thisisnoise]

I got the same wheel



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