Steering wheel inserts, removal for painting.

[FJP]

HI guys,
Here are the instructions & Pics for removing the wheel inserts if you want to paint them.
Picture 1: To remove the lower inserts use a jewelers screw driver or credit card and insert as shown. You do not have to remove the air bag assembly to remove them (in case you only want to do the lower inserts only). Apply pressure up and the front two clips will pop. Then pull up the back on a slight angle and the back clips will pop out.


Picture 2: Insert removed, notice the four clips, 2 front & 2 rear. Now do the same for the other lower insert.


Picture 3: Disconnect the battery in the trunk, MAKE SURE YOU DISCONNECT IN THE TRUNK & NOT UNDER THE HOOD.


Pictures 4 & 5: Remove the 2 / 10mm bolts that hold the air bag assembly in place from behind the steering wheel. Adjust the telescopic wheel pulling it as far out as it will go to give you ample room to work. There are 2 bolts, one on each side of the wheel.



Pictures 6 & 7: After you have removed the bolts gently pull the air bag assembly out. There is enough slack on the harness so you do not have to disconnect them. Rest the assembly in the lower opening of the steering wheel (fits just right). You now have enough room to remove the upper inserts.



Pictures 8 & 9: Using a medium size flat screw driver insert the tip in the end as shown. As you gently pry up move the screw driver down to the bottom of the switch. Now apply pressure up until the insert pops up! When it pops it will scare the hell out of you but don't worry, the clips are very tight. Take your time.



Picture 10: Disconnect the harness to each switch by pressing on the clip as show and pull the connector straight up and out.


Picture 11: Shows the two triangle shaped clips that hold the switch in place


Picture 12: Now you have all 4 inserts removed.


Picture 13 & 14: Mask off the buttons on the upper inserts. Wet Sand and clean the inserts for painting. Apply 3 or 4 coats of the color of your choice followed by 2 coats of clear. I used Dupli-color 5oz. cans. Re-connect the insert wire harness, pop the inserts back in and re-install the air bag assembly. Now you can re-connect the battery and admire your handy work!



Picture 15: Completed wheel inserts, gauge trim, radio stack and shifter bezels.

[dellagratti]

when u wet sanded did u do enough to just allow the paint to stay on or did you completely remove the fact finish? and is there any roughness to the paneling? also, sorry about this what grit paper u used?

[FJP]

when u wet sanded did u do enough to just allow the paint to stay on or did you completely remove the fact finish? and is there any roughness to the paneling? also, sorry about this what grit paper u used?

I used 400. Make sure you sand the inserts down to where there is no longer any shiny material left otherwise the paint will not adhere to those spots.

[joeruggiero]

Hi Newbie here, Can I convert the steering wheel to accept the radio switches? In other words if I buy the switches, is there a harness in the wheel to plug into?
Thanks,
Joe

[phatkat64]

^^^ I'd love to know that too!

[MAGFX]

Great write up.

[Qikslvr]

i see you changed the shifter,how did you get it off

[stroguy]

From 05 to mid year 07 they were twist off, lefty loosy righty tighty. After mid year 07 they went to a slip on with a clamp. On the bottom of the shifter is a silver trim ring. This needs to be pryed downwards with a plastic putty knife. It will fall down the shifter shaft. Now the shift knob can be pull straight up and off the shaft. It takes a pretty good tug. Reassemble in the reverse order.

[96GTS]

Can the silver panels around the radio/evic buttons on the upper inserts be removed from the button assy?

[96GTS]

Can the silver panels around the radio/evic buttons on the upper inserts be removed from the button assy?

Anyone know?

[JOHNNIJ21]

Hey if my steering inserts do not have the button ...would I still have to remove the airbag to take the insrrts out

[MidwestCharger]

Has anybody painted the actual switches to? I was considering this but thought about the "pictures" not being there afterward. Any help would be appreciated.

[sinned4me]

most just get the newer style switches with the black centers for painting. You could very carefully mask of the lit part but that would be hard to do. You can get the inserts out without removing the bag but it will scratch or break them.

[MidwestCharger]

most just get the newer style switches with the black centers for painting. You could very carefully mask of the lit part but that would be hard to do.

Thanks for the reply I will have to get the black ones then later, It realy wouldnt bother me to not have the original symbols on the buttons. More of a custom look to have them done differently IMO.

[MidwestCharger]

Will it hurt to drive my charger down to the shop without the top switches in place and plugged in? I am trying to get everything removed that will be getting painted in the morning. plz hlp