Shifter Paddle DIY

[Highlander1010]

Today I swapped out my standard S-Line steering wheel black plastic paddles with the OEM S4 Aluminum paddles. Having done the full 4-Spoke to S-Line wheel swap before, as lead by DavidB8's instructions, I was pretty confident that this swap would be just as easy. I was pleasantly surprised when I found I could make the swap without having to remove the entire steering wheel, which saved me from having to align the wheel again. At any rate, the steps I took are below, borrowing again some from DavidB8.

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s427/Highlander1010/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_004_zps92f3b376.jpg (http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/Highlander1010/media/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_004_zps92f3b376.jpg.html)

OEM Steering Wheel Paddle Swap

The required tools:

T20 Screwdriver
T30 Screwdriver
Flathead Screwdriver (small)
Socket Wrench (Small) - Not pictured
10mm long Socket - Not pictured


http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s427/Highlander1010/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_019_zps88bc4e88.jpg (http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/Highlander1010/media/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_019_zps88bc4e88.jpg.html)

The Process

1. Set the Steering wheel in the correct position
You'll want to start the car and turn the wheel so the arms are pointing straight-up/straight down, which properly exposes the two airbag screw covers for easy removal. Note that there is a notch under the steering column that will help you perfectly line up the cover and access the screw from the bottom side. This is what they look like on the back of the wheel (Pictures Credit DavidB8)

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s427/Highlander1010/SteeringWheelBoltCovers_zpsaf5f5c66.jpg (http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/Highlander1010/media/SteeringWheelBoltCovers_zpsaf5f5c66.jpg.html)

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s427/Highlander1010/AirbagScrews_zps76849694.jpg (http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/Highlander1010/media/AirbagScrews_zps76849694.jpg.html)

2. Disconnect the Battery
Go into the trunk, remove the spare tire and expose the battery terminal. Using the 10mm long socket and the small socket wrench, disconnect the negative terminal of the batter (-). Be sure to only touch the nut with the wrench. (Picture Credit - DavidB8)

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s427/Highlander1010/DisconnectBattery_zps5357d03d.jpg (http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/Highlander1010/media/DisconnectBattery_zps5357d03d.jpg.html)

3. Discharge the power in the car
Make sure to plug the key into the socket and push to discharge any residual power left after disconnecting the battery. (Picture credit DavidB8)

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s427/Highlander1010/Paddle%20Install/DischargeBatterywithKey_zps067dc430.jpg (http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/Highlander1010/media/Paddle%20Install/DischargeBatterywithKey_zps067dc430.jpg.html)

4. Remove the Airbag screw covers from the back of the wheel.
http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s427/Highlander1010/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_016_zps21d4bf2f.jpg (http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/Highlander1010/media/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_016_zps21d4bf2f.jpg.html)

5. Uninstall the Airbag
Using the T30 screwdriver, remove the 2 slot screws from the back of the steering wheel, allowing the airbag to easily slide out, exposing the electrical connections underneath.

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s427/Highlander1010/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_013_zps757eb9dd.jpg (http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/Highlander1010/media/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_013_zps757eb9dd.jpg.html)

6. Remove the Airbag
Underneath the airbag there are 2 connections to unplug. The first is the larger yellow one at the top. This is removed by gently pulling towards you on the green part of the plug and sliding out the yellow connector. The secondary connection is gently embedded at the bottom of the wheel. Pop it out and use the small screwdriver to release the locking mechanism on top of the black connector, then gently pull out and set the airbag aside.

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s427/Highlander1010/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_011_zpsf00fc66c.jpg (http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/Highlander1010/media/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_011_zpsf00fc66c.jpg.html)

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s427/Highlander1010/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_010_zps1482636d.jpg (http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/Highlander1010/media/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_010_zps1482636d.jpg.html)

7. Remove the Plastic Trim Ring
Around the edge of the airbag opening is a thin plastic ring. Initially it looks really connected to the wheel, but it is actually aligned only by a few small guide pins and held in by the airbag. Reach in, grab a hold and gently pull this out.

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s427/Highlander1010/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_009_zps2519a35f.jpg (http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/Highlander1010/media/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_009_zps2519a35f.jpg.html)

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s427/Highlander1010/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_008_zpsf512725f.jpg (http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/Highlander1010/media/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_008_zpsf512725f.jpg.html)

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s427/Highlander1010/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_007_zpsc58a157a.jpg (http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/Highlander1010/media/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_007_zpsc58a157a.jpg.html)

8. Remove the Audio/MMI control modules
The two control modules at either arm of the wheel simply slide out of their guides and can float free inside the wheel. Grab a hold and gently pull to the center of the wheel.

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s427/Highlander1010/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_006_zps685a5133.jpg (http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/Highlander1010/media/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_006_zps685a5133.jpg.html)

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s427/Highlander1010/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_002_zpsb9aac550.jpg (http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/Highlander1010/media/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_002_zpsb9aac550.jpg.html)

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s427/Highlander1010/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_001_zps1a815922.jpg (http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/Highlander1010/media/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_001_zps1a815922.jpg.html)

9. Unplug the paddles from the Audio/MMI control modules
Using the small screwdriver, gently push down the attach clip and pullout the connector.

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s427/Highlander1010/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_003_zps801d860e.jpg (http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/Highlander1010/media/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_003_zps801d860e.jpg.html)

10. Remove the single screw above both of the paddles (under where the Audio/MMI controls slid out from)
Using the T20 screwdriver, unscrew the single screws on each side and gently pull the paddles out of the back of the wheels, careful to thread the wire attached to the paddle out of the slot it routes through. Be careful not to lose the 2 screws.

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s427/Highlander1010/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_001_zps1a815922.jpg (http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/Highlander1010/media/Paddle%20Install/WP_20130616_001_zps1a815922.jpg.html)

11. Reverse the instructions above with the new paddles
Reinstalling the paddles and reversing the steps above is dead simple and takes even less time. There are a few things to note when doing so:


Tighten bolts back to a 1/4 turn past snug when reinstalling everything
Make sure all wires are secured back in the proper slots inside the wheel
When reattaching the battery connector to the (-) terminal it is possible it will pop and smoke. This is 100% normal. DO NOT touch any of the metal with tools or your hands. It is best to guide it back on by grabbing hold of the fabric covering or rubber/plastic coverings on the wires.


Finally - hop in your ride, start it up and drive a bit (shifting up and down with the paddles) to make sure everything works well.

ENJOY!!!

[auditd0rk]

Fantastic write-up -- thanks!

[dscline]

I just did this this morning, thanks for the write-up! FYI, if anyone wants to save a step or two, you can do this w/o disconnecting the airbag, though it helps if you have someone to hold the airbag out of the way while you do connect/disconnect the switches. Leaving the airbag connected means you don't need to disconnect the battery. That also means you could start the car to easily turn the wheel to have better access to the other switch, though I didn't do that.

[holmes4]

It is generally recommended to disconnect and discharge the battery any time you are working around an airbag. You don't want to risk it going off accidentally - it could kill or injure you.

[holmes4]

On my 2013 allroad, there is a shroud enclosing the steering column that blocks access to the bolts shown in the first picture. Is this simple to remove?

[dscline]

The shroud blocks them even when the wheel is turned 90°?

[holmes4]

Ah, thanks, I misunderstood the instructions. If I turn the wheel 90 degrees, the bolt at the top is exposed. I'd have to turn it the other way to expose the other one, it looks like.

[dscline]

Withe the wheel turned 90°, I was able to get the bottom one out too, but it was tight.

[holmes4]

It looks as if I'm screwed - the steering wheel on my '13 allroad doesn't look anything like these pictures.

Even with the wheel rotated, there's no access to anything from the bottom. See first picture. The slot in the shroud just leads to blank leather.

Second, the back of the wheel is completely different - there are no Torx screws (and no covers). There is some sort of metal clip but I can't tell if one is supposed to pry it off or something else.

Alternate instructions? Do I need to remove the wheel after all?

http://i.imgur.com/uJRHoGw.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/wnVNwAb.jpg

[dscline]

Removing the entire wheel isn't the solution to your problem, as you'd still need to figure out how to remove the airbag to get the wheel off. Sorry I'm not more help, but I think you're stuck until you figure out how it's removed on your car.

[holmes4]

Ah - looks like this thread (http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/478359-Facelift-steering-wheel-removal) has the answer.