How to remove GTI's Airbag from Steering Wheel?

[niulf]

I was trying to remove the airbag from steering wheel to replace the paddle shifter with OSIR O-shift GT. Unfortunately, I could not remove the airbag by following exact instructions of MKV GTI. After I pried the airbag's metal loop down to get it around the tab on the steering wheel. I could not release the airbag by pulling it towards me. It feels there are something else is still holding the airbag. Anyone can help?

[Buller_Scott]

wwwhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaattt?????!!!!?!?!?!!

is it going to function properly after that?

[niulf]

wwwhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaattt?????!!!!?!?!?!!

is it going to function properly after that?

Yes. Only shift paddles need to be replaced. All electronic parts remain.

[niulf]

The airbag is spring loaded so if you had pried the metal locking tabs correctly then the airbag would have fallen off.
I'll try to explain the method I use:

Turn the wheel 90 degrees to straight (it doesn't matter which way). Now get a small screw driver and stick it in the hole in the back, sliding it along the edge closest to the outside of the wheel. Once you're behind the metal lock tab, pry the screwdriver upwards with a little bit of force. You should be feeling spring loaded. If you do it right, the steering wheel will pop off about 5mm on that side. Now turn the steering wheel 180 degrees so the other side is now upwards. Repeat the same steps except when prying on the spring loaded clip you will need to slightly push in the side the first side but without getting it to clip in. If you get it right the airbag will practically fall into your lap. Once it's loose, make sure to straighten the wheel and turn the ignition off before removing the yellow plug in the back of the airbag. If you do it right the whole procedure should take about 10 seconds.

Thank you very much Rob Burns. That's what I did. But the airbag did not pop off when I tried either end. I might not pry enough. I'll try it again later.

[Nath]

Did you get them on in the end. I did this the other day and unlike the Mk5 it was really hard to get the airbag off, and then the silver trim needs to be removed as its in one piece and then you can get to the paddles.

Be careful when you reassemble the horn lead is really short and would've fallen off when you removed the airbag, this needs to be slid back over the metail spike on the bottom left edge of the centre piece (dont ask how long it took to work that one out!)

Anyway this is the end result for mine, they are S2T Performance machined billet aluminum paddle shifters

[brodzta_GTI]

you have to pry down.. their a pain in the neck to do but they will come out

[Gas_Hed]

2011 Polo GTI with the same steering wheel: I found it quite fiddly, too, while installing OSIR O-Shift GT paddles.

It took me about 15 minutes to get the first clip loose. What made it work was using a small flat-head screwdriver to wedge the clip down below its lug, then wiggling the airbag out from the bottom side of the wheel. That got it out far enough that I could remove the screwdriver without the clip popping back into place.

The second clip then came undone easily.

Two things I really appreciated having during this job were a little telescopic inspection mirror (available from your local auto parts store), and a HEX-CAN USB cable from Ross-Tech, as it meant I could disconnect the airbag and put it to one side, then clear the fault code after I'd put it all back together (as mentioned elsewhere the airbag's two cables are quite short).



-=[MY11 Polo 6R GTI]=-

[Lucas_R]

I removed the steering wheel in my MK6 GTI about a month ago (had to replace a faulty ignition switch). I also found the airbag quite difficult to get off, but finally got it in the end.

There are 2 spring loaded tabs that you need to push out of the way (while pulling on the airbag mechanism at the same time).

Make sure your battery is disconnected while doing this.

Typical German vehicle - completely over engineering and over complicated to the point of being massively annoying. I have removed airbags in 2 other cars (2002 Nissan 200sx and 2011 Mazda 3) and they were a 5 min job (2 small screws on either side of the wheel). It took me about 45-60min's to get the Golf's wheel off.

[brimway]

+1

The bag in my MK5 took about 5 minutes, but for some reason it took neasrly an hour with the MK6??

Oettinger VW DSG Paddle Install Video - YouTube