Deleted

You need a long narrow screwdriver. Dont jam it into holes as you could cause damage. I had same issue as you but have done it so many times now I could do it blindfolded. You need to apply only moderate pressure working the scewdriver at different angles in a circular motion. You are trying to compress a spring on each side and jamming it in a pushing hard means you aint at right angle in order to realease airbag. Trust me be patient and try different angles applying moderate pressure and you will definetly release airbag. Hope that helps. Present :2008 TDV8 HSE
Gone Audi A5 2.7TDI
Gone Discovery 3 HSE
Gone Mercedes CLK
Gone Range Rover 2.5 DSE

Thanks Googsy - deleted the above as I couldn't find the Delete option! I got it off - I wasn't pushing the tool in far enough.

Now fighting the spoke covers etc!!

 Present :2008 TDV8 HSE
Gone Audi A5 2.7TDI
Gone Discovery 3 HSE
Gone Mercedes CLK
Gone Range Rover 2.5 DSE

I now have a nice new (not) shiny steering wheel in place. Very nice. HOWEVER…..

If you buy a bare new wheel, e.g. from Powerful, you will need to strip and remove all parts from the old wheel to swap over. This includes the spring clips which hold the airbag in place. I have looked and looked but nowhere so far have I found anywhere which tells you that whilst these look identical, they are in fact handed and need to go back on the same side they came from. If they don't, you will never get your airbag off again without drastic (and I mean cutting) surgery. The holes in the airbag clip which you need to access to unclip the bag will be in completely the wrong place and you simply cannot get a tool into the holes to flip the spring. In fact, if your wheel was bolted to the steering column I honestly don't know how you would get it off again at all. You may be "lucky" and have only trial-fitted the airbag without the wheel bolted to the car, and if that's the case then you will "only" have to take a Dremel to the steering wheel backplate to cut a notch where you can access the clip and prise it open directly.

Seriously, it may be worth putting this as a sticky/FAQ/wiki somewhere, because unless someone knows another way around it, you would have to start cutting in the general vicinity of the airbag and I don't know about you but I believe my life insurance specifically excludes that as a hazardous activity! Without the wheel fitted you could cut from the back of the wheel but once fitted, you couldn't.

Do NOT ask me how I know this.

PS - if anyone has a spare plastic backplate, and maybe also, just for peace of mind, a couple of spare airbag clips (they seem fine but one has had to suffer the indignities above) then a PM would be appreciated! In fact if you have some good-condition spoke covers I'd also be interested!

Piggin ell - didn't realise that. Can't remember what I had to swap when I did mine. I think the springs stayed in the airbag slots, but could be wrong.

Will have a look at some pics I took. 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

No modification needed for me just fitted straight on. Present :2008 TDV8 HSE
Gone Audi A5 2.7TDI
Gone Discovery 3 HSE
Gone Mercedes CLK
Gone Range Rover 2.5 DSE

Well it's a 50/50 shot. Googsy!