Steering Wheel trim removal: a quick down and dirty tutorial

[Kermit]

Since I've had a few people ask how to remove the steering wheel trim for painting I figured I'd give a quick, not too descriptive down and dirty on what to do. I had explained it before on another thread but here's a few visuals to aid you. (NOTE: If I get a chance this weekend I'll get better pictures of the whole process taking place and then edit this post, it only takes just a few minutes to do - this is just to walk a few people through it now)

There are only 5 screws to remove the silver steering wheel trim (which is green in this picture - Florida has a lot of mold problems )

First remove the screw from the bottom of the steering wheel. You'll need a T-20 torx (screwdriver or ratchet it's your choice)

Next you'll have to pull the screws that hold the paddle shifters. Each paddle shifter needs to removed with the T-20 you already have out.

Once you have the paddle shifters off, they'll dangle a little by the wire. No worries as right underneath where each paddle shifter is another screw that needs to be removed with the T-20 you should still have out. In the right front corner of the paddle shifter hole you'll find the actual trim screw in a recessed hole. (Thanks goes to KarenS for helping out on that last part, I forgot to mention specifically where at in the hole the trim screws are, the right front corner .)

You should have now removed 5 total screws, 3 are for the steering wheel trim itself and 2 are actually machine screws (fine thread) that hold the paddle shifters in place to the back of the steering wheel. The trim should now come right off easily.

(NOTE: A Pure would obviously be slightly different, less steps - - - ALSO if you can't fit the screwdriver between the dash and the screws on the paddle shifters and behind the paddle shifters.....just turn the steering wheel , ask me how I know - DOH!)

[jetfuel]

...thanks Bling...save us the time to do a little head scratching....

jetfuel

[jetfuel]

...sooo..since you are in the giving spirit....how did you get the speedo face off....


jetfuel

[SunDiego]

Speedo trim just pulls straight out. There's about 12 clips that keep it in.

Thanks for the guide!

[jetfuel]

...thanks Diego....the less I scratch my head the more hair I get to keep...they are few and far in between...

jetfuel

[Kermit]

Jet - were you talking pod trim or the trim behind the glass that surrounds the speedometer?

If it is the speedometer trim it is a little more involved. Evilution has most of the directions at his site to get you in there for that. I made it easy by just pulling the entire speedometer pod - you can have the pod removed in about 30 seconds by just grabbing the whole pod and popping it off the dash then unplugging it.

Once it is free assuming you removed the pod trim you unclip the bottom of the pod, there are some clips you'll slide out from the bottom after that, they are underneath a sticker and I "think" there is another clip at the top. What you're doing is removing the trim that goes in front of the glass in front of the speedo.

Once that is out you'll removed the glass carefully with a small screwdriver you'll unclip it starting at the bottom first working your way up. Once the glass is out the dark gray speedo trim will slide right out.

I know the directions aren't very good without any pictures, I think Evilutions site has some and if memory serves correct I believe I saw Area451 Cruise Control pull a gauge pod for adding a secondary LED for their cruise - might be on their website and I know there is a thread from with the last week and half right here at SCOA.

[KarenS]

Bum-bling-B

I smiled when I read in your instructions about if the screwdriver didn't fit to turn the wheel...DUH

When I started doing it myself, I got to that point and thought "man, where did I put that stubby screwdriver, then I remembered, "Turn the wheel!" Double Duh to me!

[Wdhitch]

Thought I'd give you guys a laugh... I went to pull the speedo trim off and the whole dang thing came out.... This car is one big lego... anyways... it makes it alot easier to get the screwdriver in there.

[p1nball]

Another fine job!!
p1nball

[Kermit]

Oh yeah - pulling that cluster is EASY. My dad flipped when I showed him ON HIS CAR how easy that pops out.