Just got a MFSW

[smilie121]

I just received this today .... £259 inc the airbag ... naughty naughty!



I have read the safety advice for install - another thanks to DellMassive.

I know the buttons need coding but does the airbag? I was thinking of installing it sooner than later - still not bought VCDS cable - but would i get an airbag warning light?

 

[T6ARF]

Take a look at this thread @smilie121

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:

1. Vanity (Flat bottom steering wheels are cool)
2. DSG paddles
3. Fuel Economy (we’ll get to that later)
4. It’s easier to turn a flat bottom and it fits past my fat legs!

Warning: if you don’t disconnect your battery then your airbag could go off when you disconnect the plug. Even worse than that, when you release the first airbag spring clip your horn will get stuck on and your neighbours will think you’re a bellend!

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

I currently have a highline MFSW without ACC. I bought a second hand VW Golf Mk7/ Passat B8 wheel which had covered 10,000 KM with ACC and when I received it, it is a brand new wheel. I paid £105 and the part number is: 5G0419091. Some people use Golf R and Golf GTI/GTD wheels but I wanted the OEM look, personal preference.

View attachment 96514

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:

1. Turn on ignition and turn the wheel 90 degreesView attachment 96516
2. Ignition off
3. remove key
4. 10mm socket> Disconnect the negative terminal of the batteryView attachment 96517
5. Unlock the steering column
6. Pull it towards you and up as far as you can
7. Key back in the ignition to release the steering lockView attachment 96518
8. Find hole on back of steering wheel with inspection mirror (I took this picture before I disconnect the battery)View attachment 96519
9. Push the clip down until it clears the hook and the front of the horn pops outView attachment 96520
10. Spin the wheel 90 degrees
11. Repeat 8 &9
12. The airbag has now been release and you need to unplug it. Pull the white clip towards you to release the plug and disconnectView attachment 96521
13. Disconnect the plug from the airbag to the MFSW buttonsView attachment 96522
14. Remove airbag and store in safe place
15. Remove the centre nut with the m10 splineView attachment 96526View attachment 96527
16. Mark the centre of the wheel with the chisel and hammerView attachment 96528
17. Remove wheelView attachment 96529
18. 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)View attachment 96530View attachment 96531
19. Give it a cleanView attachment 96532
20. 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.
21. Push your trim and buttons on to the new wheel and you’re good to go.View attachment 96533
22. Back in the van, line the wheel up with the mark you madeView attachment 96534
23. Tighten the wheel back up to 30nm
24. Plug everything back in
25. Push the airbag back in
26. Remove the key
27. Reconnect the battery
28. Take it for a test drive
29. Get yourself a beer, you deserve it!

View attachment 96535

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:

View attachment 96536

Flat bottom wheel:

View attachment 96537

I know that's sad but I noticed the difference in weight when I picked it up.

Kev

 

[Niknak]

As long as you don’t turn ignition on with airbag disconnect no you’ll be fine

 

[smilie121]

As long as you don’t turn ignition on with airbag disconnect no you’ll be fine

Thabks. I had read about leaving the ignition on and disconnect the neg on the battery. Leave for 30 minutes before doing any work.

Just keen to swap over and deal with buttons when I get a cable later

 

[smilie121]

@T6ARF

Sorry - i somehow missed your post earlier. Blame it on my phone! Thanks for highlighting that

 

[smilie121]

Upon comparing the airbags i find i have an additional brown wire with spade connector but cannot see where it goes.

Both have a spaded blue and white and a brown cable already connected. The spare brown one is highlighted.

Any pointers?

 

[Niknak]

Some horn rings have an additional contact earth I can see clear enough to see where it goes

 

[smilie121]

Ummm feeling stupid now because i still cant see!!!

 

[smilie121]

OK so after some digging on here and the web I have learned its a duplicate cable. So I have taped it up. No lights. Now just need a VCDS cable to do the coding and sell it back on (cannot find anyone nearby with one)

 

[T6ARF]

Ummm feeling stupid now because i still cant see!!!


View attachment 112689

You’re not stupid bud because it isn’t there.... I had the same issue with mine.... like you say, there is one connector for the blue/white and one connector for the brown. I joined the two brown spades together and the horn worked fine.