Help - Disassembling my steering column in order to replacemultifunction switch issue
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 959
Likes: 50
From: Peters Colony Republic of Texas
Help - Disassembling my steering column in order to replacemultifunction switch issue
I'm disassembling my 2002 C5 coupe's steering wheel surround in order to replace the multifunction switch (MFS). But I have a problem: I am unable to remove the top and bottom plastic covers that encase the MFS.
Unlike all of the C5 "how to's" shown on YouTube/Corvette Forum, my C5 has a telescoping steering wheel. And because it does, the top and bottom cover pieces are connected to a third piece of plastic - positioned to the rear of the top and bottom pieces - that wraps around the top of the steering column and attaches to the top and bottom pieces (except for an opening at the 11 o'clock to 1 o'clock position.
I am unable to cause this "surround" piece to unsnap or otherwise disconnect from the top and bottom pieces. I've tried prying with a slotted screwdriver, pushing, holding my tongue at the 9:30 position, etc. Nothing works.
Anyone tackle this before? If so, how did you remove the top and bottom pieces from this surround in order to get to the MFS? I've searched high and low on the internet and I have not seen any videos with C5s who have my telescoping steering wheel/rear surround configuration.
My car's in pieces on the garage floor right now.
The Lizzard
Unlike all of the C5 "how to's" shown on YouTube/Corvette Forum, my C5 has a telescoping steering wheel. And because it does, the top and bottom cover pieces are connected to a third piece of plastic - positioned to the rear of the top and bottom pieces - that wraps around the top of the steering column and attaches to the top and bottom pieces (except for an opening at the 11 o'clock to 1 o'clock position.
I am unable to cause this "surround" piece to unsnap or otherwise disconnect from the top and bottom pieces. I've tried prying with a slotted screwdriver, pushing, holding my tongue at the 9:30 position, etc. Nothing works.
Anyone tackle this before? If so, how did you remove the top and bottom pieces from this surround in order to get to the MFS? I've searched high and low on the internet and I have not seen any videos with C5s who have my telescoping steering wheel/rear surround configuration.
My car's in pieces on the garage floor right now.
The Lizzard
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 959
Likes: 50
From: Peters Colony Republic of Texas
Ah ha. Found out how to disconnect it.
The "surround" is rubber and is attached to the top and bottom covers via molded rubber "clips" to the back side of the upper and lower covers. I forced the clips to turn loose, first on the bottom cover's bottom right corner, next the top cover (100% unclipped) and finally the left side of the bottom cover. After that I could access the T25 "bolt" and unscrewed it with a 4 mm socket. Still took lots of time and muscle to make these clips let go. But it can be done with patience.
Last week (6-2-2022) I found a replacement (used) MFS from Vette Nuts. They thankfully continue to part out our C5s (and other vehicles) and occasionally have on hand the parts we need. [I've bought other used parts from them with great success.] They're also really good about accepting returns if the used part they sell turns out to be defective, notwithstanding their WYSISYG (what you see is what you get) policy.
Contact Vette Nuts if you need an MFS or other part(s). They typically can tell you what's in their pipeline.
The Lizzard
The "surround" is rubber and is attached to the top and bottom covers via molded rubber "clips" to the back side of the upper and lower covers. I forced the clips to turn loose, first on the bottom cover's bottom right corner, next the top cover (100% unclipped) and finally the left side of the bottom cover. After that I could access the T25 "bolt" and unscrewed it with a 4 mm socket. Still took lots of time and muscle to make these clips let go. But it can be done with patience.
Last week (6-2-2022) I found a replacement (used) MFS from Vette Nuts. They thankfully continue to part out our C5s (and other vehicles) and occasionally have on hand the parts we need. [I've bought other used parts from them with great success.] They're also really good about accepting returns if the used part they sell turns out to be defective, notwithstanding their WYSISYG (what you see is what you get) policy.
Contact Vette Nuts if you need an MFS or other part(s). They typically can tell you what's in their pipeline.
The Lizzard
