2nd Gen "How To" How To: Modding JCW Wheel for OEM Paddle Shifters

pic44_-_reassembled.jpg
So ever since MINI has been selling their JCW steering wheel, they said that it's not compatible with the automatic tranny's. Never having had an...
By Octaneguy · Jan 29, 2018 ·
  1. Octaneguy

    Octaneguy New Member

    Apr 24, 2009
    579
    31
    0
    Dream job
    Anaheim, CA
    Ratings:
    +31 / 0 / -0
    #1 Octaneguy, Aug 4, 2010
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2010
    So ever since MINI has been selling their JCW steering wheel, they said that it's not compatible with the automatic tranny's. Never having had an auto before, I never paid much attention, but now that I've got one, I don't think it's fair we are left out of the fun! So I set out to find out why MINI says the JCW wheel won't work with the paddle shifters.

    First I acquired a used JCW Alcantara wheel. Then I got for cheap a stock wheel with paddle shifters. One of my biggest challenges has been finding torx bits to take things apart. Seems the ones I've got are slightly too small or too big! Gonna have to get a better kit tomorrow.

    Tools Needed: T20 and T25 Torx bits. T20 for removing the MFSW pcs and the T25 for removing the 4 bolts around the panel that holds the steering wheel release wires. The MFSW wiring is placed behind this so if you remove this panel, it's much easier to remove and reinstall the wiring.

    Comparing the R56 JCW wheel to the OEM wheel wheel with paddle shifters.
    [​IMG]

    Closer view
    [​IMG]

    Closer view
    [​IMG]

    How the paddle shifter fits
    [​IMG]

    Internally is there any difference?
    [​IMG]

    Only very subtle differences
    [​IMG]

    Here's the paddle shifter
    [​IMG]

    The stock wheel is cut for the paddle shifter
    [​IMG]

    Another angle
    [​IMG]

    This is where I will have to cut on the JCW wheel.
    [​IMG]

    I stacked the wheels to show that the oem wheel in back has an extra hole for the paddle shifter
    [​IMG]

    Closer view of the hole
    [​IMG]

    JCW wheel doesn't have a hole
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I'm going to mod this wheel to accept the oem paddle shifters. In the future, I may experiment further and see about changing out the shifters with something different. For now this writeup will continue to show my process and how you can do the same too!
     
  2. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 4, 2009
    3,532
    2,896
    113
    Professional Facilitator and Alignment Consultant
    Holly Springs, NC
    Ratings:
    +2,896 / 0 / -0
    You da man... I've been talking about doing this for almost 4 years... But have been happy enough with my wheelskin that it has never made it to the must-do list
     
  3. mini_racer

    mini_racer Well-Known Member

    May 4, 2009
    1,046
    57
    48
    Engr Manager
    Austin, TX
    Ratings:
    +57 / 0 / -0
    Very brave Richard, great mod.
     
  4. Octaneguy

    Octaneguy New Member

    Apr 24, 2009
    579
    31
    0
    Dream job
    Anaheim, CA
    Ratings:
    +31 / 0 / -0
    So far from what I can tell, the mod isn't difficult. I need to cut some foam rubber on the back of the wheel to accept the paddle module. Need to figure out the best tool for that, whether a regular knife is good enough or if I need something more precise.

    I also need to drill a single hole to pass the bolt that connects through the steering wheel to the thread in the paddle shifter. So I don't even need to tap it.

    The wiring is pretty simple..just need to tuck it behind that plate. The plate has been the biggest problem so far. They are super tight and the torx bits I have aren't exactly right. Don't bother with a hex kit either..won't work, lol.

    Once I find the appropriate size and source, I will include in the writeup. I'm planning to have this all done by the end of the week so I can drive to Colorado with it, lol. I'm definitely glad I bought the spare stock wheel with the shifters on it to play with. Otherwise I would have a car to drive!

    Richard
     
  5. Johngo

    Johngo New Member
    Supporting Member

    May 18, 2010
    1,671
    200
    0
    Art Director
    Sugar Hill, GA
    Ratings:
    +200 / 0 / -0
    A shame you couldn't do this for the standard transmission... THAT would be cool.
     
  6. Octaneguy

    Octaneguy New Member

    Apr 24, 2009
    579
    31
    0
    Dream job
    Anaheim, CA
    Ratings:
    +31 / 0 / -0
    Adding paddles to a manual??

    You just need $8K and get this
    M7: Vision. Passion. Drive.

    lol

     
  7. Octaneguy

    Octaneguy New Member

    Apr 24, 2009
    579
    31
    0
    Dream job
    Anaheim, CA
    Ratings:
    +31 / 0 / -0
    Day 2

    So after a nights rest, I found some more Torx bits at home from an old computer repair kit and turns out they fit fine. T20 and T25 were all I needed.

    So I marked out what I needed to cut
    [​IMG]

    I started off with a hacksaw for the initial cuts
    [​IMG]

    This is what I had
    [​IMG]

    and where I wanted to go. I noticed the two nubs here, not sure if I'm going to have to replicate them.
    [​IMG]

    After much cutting with all kinds of tools including my Dremel and an Xacto blade, I test fit the paddle shifter.

    [​IMG]

    Then I needed to figure out how to locate the hole in the front of the steering wheel for the paddle shifter thread! After much measuring, and making templates, I decided to do the old eyeball way. I stuck a sharp object from where I believed the hole should be after comparing with the stock wheel.

    [​IMG]

    Seeing where it came out, I tried to push the screw through it, but couldn't so pulled out my drill and drilled a larger hole.
    [​IMG]

    It fits!!
    [​IMG]

    Ooops but it's not aligned properly
    [​IMG]

    So I cut some more until it fit properly and tested the operation. It works great! Plenty of clearance and the shifter is solid whether pushing or pulling!

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Time to do the other side! Woohoo!!
     
  8. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

    May 5, 2009
    3,922
    401
    83
    stagehand/part time detailer
    Right here
    Ratings:
    +401 / 0 / -0
    Nice work Richard:Thumbsup: Hopefully we will see it next week. You may want to bring a spare wheel, just in case:lol:

    Mark
     
  9. Octaneguy

    Octaneguy New Member

    Apr 24, 2009
    579
    31
    0
    Dream job
    Anaheim, CA
    Ratings:
    +31 / 0 / -0
    Hah thanks! So far so good!

     
  10. Octaneguy

    Octaneguy New Member

    Apr 24, 2009
    579
    31
    0
    Dream job
    Anaheim, CA
    Ratings:
    +31 / 0 / -0
    Here is the rest of the writeup.

    I decided to try locating the shifter a bit differently this time by starting with the hole/screw that holds the shifter in place. Using an Xacto I located the hole by eyeballing it and proceeded.
    [​IMG]

    I then used a screwdriver like an Awl to punch a hole
    [​IMG]

    Then I drilled it through
    [​IMG]

    Then I put the screw inside
    [​IMG]

    Then I started cutting
    [​IMG]

    and carving
    [​IMG]

    and more carving
    [​IMG]

    and more carving
    [​IMG]

    I could see the screw protruding now
    [​IMG]

    I screwed the paddle shifter into place and checked my work. Looks good from here.
    [​IMG]

    Woah, I'm way off from the back side, but the shifters are located correctly.
    [​IMG]

    Closeup of the first one I installed
    [​IMG]

    Closeup of the second side
    [​IMG]

    Oh well, I won't be seeing the backside ever again, lol.

    So now I wanted to test out how to remove the airbag. I used a Hex wrench to push the wires to practice.
    [​IMG]

    Ok now for real. Let's pull the negative ground using a 10mm wrench
    [​IMG]

    Time to release the airbag...it works!
    [​IMG]

    Now using a 16mm socket, to pull off the steering column bolt. Made sure the wheel was centered before I got to this stage. Nothing like driving with a steering wheel off a bit from center!
    [​IMG]

    Ok and here's the completed setup!
    [​IMG]

    The "impossible" has been done! Woohoo!

    Richard
     
  11. M^Cubed

    M^Cubed Member

    May 24, 2009
    315
    12
    18
    Ratings:
    +12 / 0 / -0
    Cool! Enjoy your new steering wheel!
     
  12. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,713
    7,659
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,913 / 1 / -0
    Richard........ You have nerves of steel. Cutting into a JCW wheel like that. And no bloody cuts on your hands. Nicely done.:D
     
  13. Octaneguy

    Octaneguy New Member

    Apr 24, 2009
    579
    31
    0
    Dream job
    Anaheim, CA
    Ratings:
    +31 / 0 / -0
    Or just deadened nerves from all these years polishing...just jump in and swim!!! You win some and you lose a lot, lol...well I do anyways. :D

     
  14. Rooster

    Rooster New Member

    May 22, 2009
    113
    0
    0
    Systems Engineer
    West Hollywood, CA
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    You are my hero.

    Now. When can I play with your old paddle shifters to try and map out what they actually do???
     
  15. Octaneguy

    Octaneguy New Member

    Apr 24, 2009
    579
    31
    0
    Dream job
    Anaheim, CA
    Ratings:
    +31 / 0 / -0
    Haha. Ooops, just re read what you said. I'm gonna keep them intact for awhile...atleast for a few days, lol. I'm gonna paint one of the sets and the other one can be dismantled. =)
    o
     
  16. PGT

    PGT Wheel Whore

    May 4, 2009
    781
    7
    18
    Federal Gov Contracting
    Leesburg VA
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    as long as the unit doesn't sit further back than the back of the wheel, you should be golden!

    I love making things fit that weren't supposed to. Like, when I mounted the R56 JCW tach light to the R53 steering column. People were like 'WTF???" :lol: LOVE that reaction....
     
  17. wzabrouski

    wzabrouski Active Member

    May 5, 2009
    304
    32
    28
    Executive Director
    Keller, TX
    Ratings:
    +32 / 0 / -0
    Just curious if the paddles are still working fine?
     
  18. Octaneguy

    Octaneguy New Member

    Apr 24, 2009
    579
    31
    0
    Dream job
    Anaheim, CA
    Ratings:
    +31 / 0 / -0
    Yep no issues at all.

    Richard

     
  19. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
    Supporting Member

    May 4, 2009
    8,767
    2,547
    113
    Bend, OR USA
    Ratings:
    +2,678 / 1 / -0
    ....except none of the pictures show up anymore.

    :biggrin5:
     
  20. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 4, 2009
    3,532
    2,896
    113
    Professional Facilitator and Alignment Consultant
    Holly Springs, NC
    Ratings:
    +2,896 / 0 / -0
    Somebody must have stolen his wheel.
     

Share This Page