Steering wheel emblem caved in
10-04-2013, 09:20 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Steering wheel emblem caved in
The Grand Sport emblem in the center of my steering wheel caved in (photo below). I don't know when it happened. I have heard that the 'Grand Sport' center emblem is only available with the complete airbag. I'm taking it in Monday and am pretty sure it will be covered under warranty. If not, how much it would cost to replace the airbag? I tried looking it up online but could not find a price.
10-05-2013, 09:25 AM
#3
Le Mans Master
Any chance you pressed on the emblem when you were using the horn? I'm not so sure it'll be covered under warranty unless they're generous ... they can always say that you did it yourself. Of course, the emblem should be more robust ....
Not sure about the airbag question, but if you've gotta replace it, it sounds like an expensive repair.
Not sure about the airbag question, but if you've gotta replace it, it sounds like an expensive repair.
10-05-2013, 09:53 AM
#4
I think the airbag will cost ~600.00 from one of the various forum vendors.
If you have to pay for it, you might as well upgrade to something like this from Caravaggio Corvettes...
If you have to pay for it, you might as well upgrade to something like this from Caravaggio Corvettes...
10-05-2013, 11:51 AM
#5
Drifting
If they don't cover it under warranty, maybe your could get a local shop to cover the airbag cover in leather and stitch a logo. It might be cheaper and update the wheel.
Good luck. Let us know what you did.
Good luck. Let us know what you did.
10-05-2013, 12:19 PM
#6
Pro
No doubt something hit that. Maybe when you were unloading something via the driver's door.
Search the internet and maybe you can find a replacement or try filing a claim with your insurance company
Search the internet and maybe you can find a replacement or try filing a claim with your insurance company
10-05-2013, 04:11 PM
#7
Drifting
My "paintless dent removal" guy, who works on my metal cars, could pop that out real easy. However, if the service call was just for that particular dent, you might have to pay a minimum service call of $50-$100.
10-05-2013, 06:16 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Thats a good idea -- $50 to $100 is a lot better than $600 for a whole new air bag -- if it comes to that.
10-05-2013, 06:26 PM
#10
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Yesterday I noticed it because there was light coming in from the side, which highlighted the dent. In the shade its not easy to see the dent, especially without my glasses on, which I only use for reading. I happened to have them on because I was looking for something in the center console.
10-05-2013, 06:30 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
The only thing that could have hit it would be me pressing the horn. But I haven't used it in weeks.
Yesterday I noticed it because there was light coming in from the side, which highlighted the dent. In the shade its not easy to see the dent, especially without my glasses on, which I only use for reading. I happened to have them on because I was looking for something in the center console.
Yesterday I noticed it because there was light coming in from the side, which highlighted the dent. In the shade its not easy to see the dent, especially without my glasses on, which I only use for reading. I happened to have them on because I was looking for something in the center console.
You hit the horn hard weeks ago, dented the badge, and didn't notice it until now when the light hit it just right, and your glasses were on.
10-05-2013, 06:33 PM
#12
Safety Car
Same here on a 08. Came here a few years ago and found that I could fix it my self by partially disasembling the steering wheel, then it should be able to bend it out. I think it was a 1 to 2 hour fix. Haven't got around to doing it.
I doubt the dealer will fix it as it was after sale driver error.
I doubt the dealer will fix it as it was after sale driver error.
10-05-2013, 07:49 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Same here on a 08. Came here a few years ago and found that I could fix it my self by partially disasembling the steering wheel, then it should be able to bend it out. I think it was a 1 to 2 hour fix. Haven't got around to doing it.
I doubt the dealer will fix it as it was after sale driver error.
I doubt the dealer will fix it as it was after sale driver error.
10-06-2013, 05:39 AM
#14
10-06-2013, 07:21 AM
#15
Le Mans Master
When an air bag deploys it is about the same as a shotgun pointed at you and going off. You don't want a big bullet slug in the barrel. 
I would get a suction cup like those used to hold things on windows and pull the dent myself. The secret to successfully pulling dents is to pull them in reverse order from how they were created. This one should be easy. It's a little hard to see but it looks like a single strike/push. Center the suction cup in the dent and pull. If it isn't a simple depression (has a crease in the middle), study it to determine what surface moved last and pull on that one first, etc. You also need a suction cup slightly smaller than the object that created the dent. The objective is to "reverse time" and pull the dent back out in the same way it formed by reversing the same forces.
10-06-2013, 07:35 AM
#16
Le Mans Master
10-06-2013, 08:08 AM
#17
Le Mans Master
If it comes off that easy, then you pop the dent with your fingers from the inside and put it back on. If it is just glued around the edges then you can just glue it around the edges. 
