[MrEeeaddict]

I saw the guide on our forum here, and really wanted this for my car!
http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f75/brabus-451-steering-wheel-rim-installation-101018/

Sadly I just realized my rim is only 2 spoke (not 3 like the brabus) so I'll probably have a lot of trouble if I changed things over. Anyone have advice or experience doing this?

I might be able to get away with changing the plastic trim but not really sure.

 

[Snydermann]

I saw the guide on our forum here, and really wanted this for my car!
http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f75/brabus-451-steering-wheel-rim-installation-101018/

Sadly I just realized my rim is only 2 spoke (not 3 like the brabus) so I'll probably have a lot of trouble if I changed things over. Anyone have advice or experience doing this?

I might be able to get away with changing the plastic trim but not really sure.

I'm the author of that post. I LOVE my Brabus wheel.

Your best option would probably be to buy a salvage three spoke complete wheel and add the Brabus rim. I'm only guessing, but I think it would bolt into your car with no problem. You could then sell your two spoke rim and the three spoke rim to recoup some of your costs.
I'd do some research to see if the airbag is the same between two and three spokes, I haven't even looked to see how similar they are in photos. Maybe your airbag will switch over.

It's an easy swap and totally worth the money, in my opinion.

 

[MrEeeaddict]

I'm the author of that post. I LOVE my Brabus wheel.

Your best option would probably be to buy a salvage three spoke complete wheel and add the Brabus rim. I'm only guessing, but I think it would bolt into your car with no problem. You could then sell your two spoke rim and the three spoke rim to recoup some of your costs.
I'd do some research to see if the airbag is the same between two and three spokes, I haven't even looked to see how similar they are in photos. Maybe your airbag will switch over.

It's an easy swap and totally worth the money, in my opinion.

Thanks! I've looked at the frames and all the bits seem the same (mounting points and airbags)
Only problem is I'd have to find the trim for front and back, plus a smart parts dealer didn't think it would work.

Not sure what to do at this point, since it's a $500 guessing game!

 

[Snydermann]

Thanks! I've looked at the frames and all the bits seem the same (mounting points and airbags)
Only problem is I'd have to find the trim for front and back, plus a smart parts dealer didn't think it would work.

Not sure what to do at this point, since it's a $500 guessing game!

I just did a quick check. More research would be advised for confirmation of my quick research. But it looks like 2-spoke and 3-spoke air bags are the same. So you can use yours.

Complete 3-spoke wheels without the airbag can be found on eBay for around $70.00. There is all your trim and screws and such.

Then you need the Brabus rim and you should be good to go.

Sell your donor steering wheel parts on eBay.

Profit.

 

[MrEeeaddict]

I just did a quick check. More research would be advised for confirmation of my quick research. But it looks like 2-spoke and 3-spoke air bags are the same. So you can use yours.

Complete 3-spoke wheels without the airbag can be found on eBay for around $70.00. There is all your trim and screws and such.

Then you need the Brabus rim and you should be good to go.

Sell your donor steering wheel parts on eBay.

Profit.

Hey, talked to Bernd. He confirmed it should work fine, though with the trim and shipping the price went up by ~100 EUR.

I'll post pics when it's done. Feels funny doing a mod that costs almost 10% of the cars price!

 

[jzchen]

Woah. Better rethink where you are sourcing those parts....

Sent from my MT2L03 using Tapatalk

 

[MrEeeaddict]

Woah. Better rethink where you are sourcing those parts....

Sent from my MT2L03 using Tapatalk

No cheaper place to get them, also helps my car was sold below cost

 

[MrEeeaddict]

I just did a quick check. More research would be advised for confirmation of my quick research. But it looks like 2-spoke and 3-spoke air bags are the same. So you can use yours.

Complete 3-spoke wheels without the airbag can be found on eBay for around $70.00. There is all your trim and screws and such.

Then you need the Brabus rim and you should be good to go.

Sell your donor steering wheel parts on eBay.

Profit.

Hey, sorry to bug you again, I know the guide said you don't need to remove the battery when doing these mods (just leave car off) but what did you end up doing if you remember?

 

[Snydermann]

Hey, sorry to bug you again, I know the guide said you don't need to remove the battery when doing these mods (just leave car off) but what did you end up doing if you remember?

I did not disconnect the battery, just do not turn the key on and use common sense not to short anything out.

 

[jzchen]

Should disconnect negative connection at the battery....

 

[Snydermann]

Should disconnect negative connection at the battery....

I knew someone was going to say that. Yes, of course, you should disconnect the battery. I did not, and have not, dozens, maybe a hundred times, when removing a steering wheel, without a problem. YMMV.

I'm a professional mechanic, 30 years, disconnecting a battery can lead to other problems, check engine lights on, warning lights on, radio codes lost, reset customer's presets in the car, transmission and engine doesn't run the same because you erased the long term learn. It's not worth the time or trouble for a low risk job. In 30 years never had a problem.

But, yes, you should always disconnect the battery.

 

[jzchen]

I've been at a shop when some not so smart tech accidentally set off an airbag/airbags. (I think it was Circuit City). Not worth the chance, although in the smart it does take some effort/time to reach the battery...

 

[Snydermann]

I've been at a shop when some not so smart tech accidentally set off an airbag/airbags. (I think it was Circuit City). Not worth the chance, although in the smart it does take some effort/time to reach the battery...

I never saw that happen nor do I have any shops that I know personally that had that happen. It's actually kind of difficult to set off an airbag. Someone must have been adding wires where wires shouldn't have been added. Plugging and unplugging a steering wheel is different.

 

[MrEeeaddict]

I did not disconnect the battery, just do not turn the key on and use common sense not to short anything out.

Sorry to bug you one more time Snydermann, I tried removing the bolt today (under the wheel) but it WOULD NOT budge at all! Even with pliers on my driver. Did you have this much trouble?