Steering wheel RS4 badge & S button – How to replace both

[ians63]

First class guide. Does disconnecting battery throw up any other issues with the car when reconnecting that I should know about?

[MissRS4]

Sam,
Again amazing effort to share - thanks heaps
MissRS4

[docurley]

Another great writeup on here and something I need to do, have a secondhand silver trim with buttons waiting to go in, buttons are not perfect but way better than the white-out buttons I currently have and only cost £35.

[Surrey Sam]

Thank you for the kind comments everyone

Very nice write up & pictures! More detailed stuff like this:)

Now you can remove the two covers located on the back of the steering wheel which hide some larger T30 Torx bolts - these secure the airbag to the steering wheel and are found at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock

In order to loose the airbag screws it is not necessary to remove these covers.

Hi Rob, I think it's a little misunderstanding in translation.

Yes, you need to remove the covers to get at the T30 screws, you will also need to undo the T30 screws to get the airbag off. However, you don't need to totally remove the T30 screws from the steering wheel, they can stay held within the steering wheel apertures whilst you work on the trims.

I hope that helps to explain that a little better for you.

[Surrey Sam]

First class guide. Does disconnecting battery throw up any other issues with the car when reconnecting that I should know about?

Actually good point and one I'll edit into the end.

There maybe a few things that will happen. All your computer info will reset (mgp, average speed etc) but the main one being that the key remotes will probably need re-syncronising to the car which is easy enough to do and shown on pg 74 of the user manual.

[MB2]

Superb work Sam - thanks for taking the trouble to post this & photo whilst doing the job. I always mean to but end up getting carried away with the task instead !

I have removed airbags before and was always told provided the ignition is off then the bag can't go off, but agree with disconnecting the battery just in case.

On the remotes you will also need to wind the windows up and down after a battery disconnect before the closure works again.

[markwm]

Nice guide.

Couple things, your dead right about the stand alone badge part(8D0419685A). Whilst it is the correct width/height and the fixings lugs are different as you mention, the surface of the badge is slightly concave, whereas the original badge is completely flat and it sits recessed in the silver trim. You'll only know this one you remove the old badge and compare them side by side(pic below). So even if you modify it to fit(which is quite simple), they'll be a slightly curvature to it that the original badge doesn't have.

I removed the bottom section of the steering wheel with some trim tools starting at the back, you don't need to remove the air bag to get it off.

Photo's below show the original badge and the non original 8D0419685A installed. Once installed you can feel the difference of the curve more than you can see it. I guess it depends on how anal your are about such things. Price difference between the parts is £55 or so. Guess it depends if you can get the silver trim off without causing any damage as to whether you have the choice.

[lma07]

Brilliant post. Must have taken a while to do.

[CaptainLeadFoot]

Just saw this on how to remove the airbag, this one might be a tad quicker and less parts to remove.

[MikeFish]

I changed my lower trim a few weeks ago, ordered online from Stoke Audi for about 70 something quid, esay peasy. Nice and easy to change too, no need to disconnect battery or remove airbag for lower trim. Good job Sam!

[CaptainLeadFoot]

Mikefish, how do you manage to fit the lower trim without taking off the airbag ? I have been putting mine off because of the airbag and interested to know.

[MikeFish]

I just undid the 4 screws (had to keep turning the wheel to get enough space behind the wheel to get the torx screwdriver in), then prised the 2 parts apart and pulled it in an out and down direction. I don't think I even removed the steering wheel cowl.

[CaptainLeadFoot]

Ok, I was having some trouble to put the trim back on because the airbag cover is in the way. Did you have to do some pushing through ?

[MikeFish]

I dont recall any difficulty, just slipped it under the air bag I think.

[alefustec]

I have been in the same boat too - the scuffed badge is driving my OCD nuts but I haven't the balls to start taking the airbag out etc in case I feck it. I was toying with the idea of just a badge replacement but worried I would also make a mess of that too! Now I'm going to bite the bullet and order the complete set of lower trim parts from stoke Audi and have a bash at replacing that as per Mike Fish.

Cheers chaps!