Originally Posted by Nikka

Hi Everyone,
I need help. I purchased the carbon fiber steering wheel spoke covers for my car from Apsisusa and I cannot find directions anywhere on how to remove the existing covers. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Nikka

Originally Posted by SonOfDreams

check the apsis site

Originally Posted by Nightstalker Medic

Ma'am,

Try this: http://web.mac.com/dbrat10/iWeb/C6-A6/index.html

Originally Posted by Dreamin

This is a fairly easy do-it-yourself project... it'll take 2-3 hours and I was pretty slow and methodical. The only tricky (time-consuming) step is actually pulling the steering wheel off the hub... in reading other posts, the steering wheel came right off, on my car it was on very tight and took a while...

Tools

* Steering Wheel puller - I rented one for free from AutoZone
* Blunt tool ~1/8" in diameter - I used a drill bit
* Hex drivers: 3mm & 4mm
* Sockets: 10mm & 21mm
* Suitable wrenches

Install Steps

*** Standard disclaimers apply. I assume no responsibility for any damage. Please be careful –the consequences of a mistake or improper install could be disastrous ***

I’ve provided a lot of pictures and detail in the steps below - some of what I’ve written will be obvious – but I was on a roll.
Instructions and pictures are for a ’07 Z06 – there may be differences with other C6s.

1) Disconnect the battery - and wait 1 minute.
This is to disable the airbag. I did what the service manual said: pulled the negative terminal from the battery (not the wire on the fuse box), and waited 1 minute (I presume to let the capacitor inside the airbag discharge).
Battery:


2) Pop-out airbag assembly
As stated in another post, “The airbag is not a land-mine, but it does need to be treated with care and respect!”
With that said, this is a very easy step... see pics below.
There are two access holes on the sides of the steering wheel (one on each side). Find a blunt tool; I used the back of a 1/8" drill bit. Insert the tool *horizontally* (wrt the ground) about 1" into the hole and apply a light pressure. One side of the airbag will pop forward. Redo for other side. There is a small metal retainer holding the assembly in place, in needs to be pushed toward the center of the steering wheel.
Note: If you're applying a lot of pressure or have inserted the tool more than an inch or so, you're in the wrong place!
Access Hole:


Tool inserted and left side retainer being pushed inward:


Airbag assembly popped-out:


[Side spoke cover replacement, follow step 3; steering wheel replacement, go to step 4]
3a) Remove side covers:
Use a 3mm hex driver and suitable wrench.
Note: Pictures were taken after I had removed the airbag assembly, to do this step here, you'll have to hold the airbag assembly in place in one hand.
Wrench and hex driver in place:


3b) Flip cover over and disconnect electrical connector as needed.
Electrical connector:


3c) Repeat for other side cover

3d) Install new side covers

3e) Push airbag assembly back in on both side.

3f) That's it... You're done!

[Steering wheel replacement, skip step 3 for now, it's easier to do later.]
4) Disconnect airbag assembly
Remove plastic yellow retainer clip by inserting a small screw and lifting upward:


Remove airbag wiring harness by pressing both plastic clips inward with fingers:


Both wiring harnesses removed; Airbag placed somewhere safe, out of the way:


5) Unclip white wiring harness
Push up with your finger to unclip
Unclipped:


6) Remove side covers – now perform step (3) above
Both side covers removed:


7) Remove Horn electrical frame
Unscrew 3 bolts using 4mm hex driver and suitable wrench; bolts remain attached to the frame
Wrench in place:


Pull connector out from under metal piece and move frame on top of steering hub:


8) Remove Steering wheel center nut
Use 21mm socket and suitable wrench. The steering wheel will turn, but I was able to hold the wheel with one hand and use the wrench with the other.
Wrench in place:


Nut removed:


9) Check if steering wheel is loose
Wiggle, jiggle, pull on the steering wheel *Lightly*. DO NOT TRY TO FORCE IT OFF. Either it will come loose easily or it won’t.
If it comes off, you’re having a very good day, go buy a lottery ticket and continue to step 11, otherwise continue to step 10

10) Use steering wheel puller to pull steering wheel.
Follow the instructions for your steering wheel puller. The basic concept is: you attached two side bolts (silver bolts in pic) to the steering wheel, and then tighten a center bolt (black bolt in pic) against the center 'stock' of the steering wheel hub... so as you tighten, you're pulling the steering wheel very slowly toward you.
I didn't have the GM tool; I had a generic tool, so the side bolts did not attach properly to the steering wheel. I had to find some small nuts and slip them under the steering wheel, and screw the side bolts into the nuts (path of nut shown by arrow; nut under steering wheel is circled):


Once everything is in place, start tightening the center bolt. Expect a loud POP and everything to fall into your lap... i.e. the wheel may not peacefully slide off the hub:


11) Remove steering wheel
Unplug the larger white wiring harness, and the steering wheel (with horn frame) will be free.


12) Remove back plastic cover from steering wheel
Use 3mm hex driver and remove both bolts:


With bolts remove, the back plastic cover comes off, the horn frame comes off, and the steering wheel is loose:


13) That's it... to reinstall, reverse the steps above with your new steering wheel!
Torque spec for center nut: 27 lb-ft
All other bolts: Tighten until firm as everything else is plastic against metal.

14) Enjoy your new steering wheel: