I’ve been thinking about the flat bottom mod for a while so thought I’d write a how to for anyone else that is interested.
The reasons I like it are:
Some things to know:
There are plenty of these wheels on ebay in excellent condition and don’t be put off by the ones without an airbag or without the buttons/surround because in this case we re-use them from your original wheel.
Tools
How to:
Fuel Economy: My original Highline wheel weighs 600 Grams more than the flat bottom one, so the money that you save on fuel pays for the wheel!
Highline wheel:
Flat bottom wheel:
I know that's sad but I noticed the difference in weight when I picked it up.
Kev
The reasons I like it are:
- Vanity (Flat bottom steering wheels are cool)
- DSG paddles
- Fuel Economy (we’ll get to that later)
- It’s easier to turn a flat bottom and it fits past my fat legs!
Some things to know:
- Not every VW flat bottom wheel will fit your van if you’re planning to reuse your original air bag. We’re looking for wheels with the 2 hooks that the airbag attaches to.
- If you buy a wheel which includes an airbag (from a Polo for instance) you need to make sure that it has the same button layout or it won’t work
There are plenty of these wheels on ebay in excellent condition and don’t be put off by the ones without an airbag or without the buttons/surround because in this case we re-use them from your original wheel.
Tools
- 10mm socket
- Phone or inspection mirror
- Flat head screwdriver
- M10 spline
- Chisel
- Hammer
- Trim tools
How to:
- Turn on ignition and turn the wheel 90 degrees
- Ignition off
- remove key
- 10mm socket> Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery
- Unlock the steering column
- Pull it towards you and up as far as you can
- Key back in the ignition to release the steering lock
- Find hole on back of steering wheel with inspection mirror (I took this picture before I disconnect the battery)
- Push the clip down until it clears the hook and the front of the horn pops out
- Spin the wheel 90 degrees
- Repeat 8 &9
- The airbag has now been release and you need to unplug it. Pull the white clip towards you to release the plug and disconnect
- Disconnect the plug from the airbag to the MFSW buttons
- Remove airbag and store in safe place
- Remove the centre nut with the m10 spline
- Mark the centre of the wheel with the chisel and hammer
- Remove wheel
- Remove the plastic trim and buttons using the trim tools working from the bottom up. Take your time, this will be the longest bit of the process. The trim is held in by barbs so just keep working them (Note the barb next to the button sticks out in to the wheel so be gentle)
- Give it a clean
- The DSG paddles work without any coding. Plug the plugs for the paddles in to the sockets on the back on the buttons and you’re good to go.
- Push your trim and buttons on to the new wheel and you’re good to go.
- Back in the van, line the wheel up with the mark you made
- Tighten the wheel back up to 30nm
- Plug everything back in
- Push the airbag back in
- Remove the key
- Reconnect the battery
- Take it for a test drive
- Get yourself a beer, you deserve it!
Fuel Economy: My original Highline wheel weighs 600 Grams more than the flat bottom one, so the money that you save on fuel pays for the wheel!
Highline wheel:
Flat bottom wheel:
I know that's sad but I noticed the difference in weight when I picked it up.
Kev
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