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Got my steering wheel radio controls!
I just recieved my leather wrapped SS Cobalt steering wheel last nite
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...obaltwheel.jpg https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...9/backview.jpg I like the smaller diameter. I lined up the bottom edge of each wheel & took this pic: https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil.../9/wheelOD.jpg I wrapped a tape measure around each wheel & the 'Balt wheel is approx 2.5" smaller O.D. (28-stock, 26.5" 'balt). I wanted the smaller OD mostly (& the leather:p:) but the radio controls will be a welcome addition:D https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...iocontrols.jpg I bought it off eBay for $104. total (free ship). I wanted black leather & they had two listed. A 2006 model & a 2008 model. The pictures they gave were generic so I didn't know what they looked like or if they came with all buttons etc. I chose the 2008 model but I think I got the '06 wheel because the buttons are lower profile than my '07: https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...DICbuttons.jpg But the wheel is fresh looking. Hardly a scratch on it. The leather is in excellent condition: https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...therdetail.jpg I didn't have the guts to try the install last night. I'll probably tackle the job this weekend so I have time to work it out. I'll post up install pics when I'm finished. Wish me luck! |
Good luck with this. I've been wanting to do the same thing to mine. Let up know how it turns out :thumb:
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1st snag right out of the gate!
OK so I'm in the mood to do this install. I get the horn/airbag off easy. Piece of cake. Now I need to remove the plugs from the back of the airbag.
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil.../9/9/plugs.jpg Bam They are on there good. Does anybody know how to remove these little clips (so I dont bust them all up with my fat fingers:D) I see little tabs on the sides of each clip. They have a slight texture to them. As if I need to compress them in or something https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...9/plugs_03.jpg But I pull & twist & they aren't budging. Can somebody please tell me how to take these plugs off? Thank you:bow: |
If i remember correctly, i just pried up the little yellow clips with a small flat head screw driver, and the grey wire terminals just popped right out. It's been a while since i changed mine out, so i'm not 100% sure, but that might get you going in the right direction. Just look at it for a while and see if you can figure out how it comes apart. I did mess up one of my yellow fasteners a bit, so just take your time with em. Good luck.
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The install moves forward!
OK, I figured out how to detach the plugs from the back of the air bag. The yellow clips pull straight up & out. I used my fingernails to pry upward:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...pullclipup.jpg Then I used needle-nose pliers to compress the little tabs on either side of the plug & pull upwards to remove it. https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...pushintabs.jpg I pulled the steering wheel off by tugging on it a bit. I also used a little WD-40 as suggested by a fellow HHR.net'r (thank you). It finally came off & I now had only one more plug to remove to get the darn wheel off :D. The blue plug was another one for the pita list. Luckily my new wheel had a plug to look at. You need to clear this little hook: https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil.../0/9/9/tab.jpg I used a thin flat blade screwdriver. With that, the steering wheel was off! Check the side by side: https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...tockvsbalt.jpg The cobalt wheel is smaller but beefier! Here's a close-up shot of the buttons to show the difference in height. Also note the grainy texture of the stock plastic wheel compared to the buttery smooth leather: https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...ttonheight.jpg Amother shot of me buttons: https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...nheight_02.jpg OK On to the installation. I went to plug in the blue plug (for the new wheel) & I notice that all the wires are a different color than the stock HHR wheel. Great! What do I do now? Will my new buttons even work? Oh man, will this project ever get completed? :( I'll just have to hook it all up & pray! Installation was pretty quick. My new wheel came with all buttons & wiring intact. Hey, that's plug - n play Overall the install should've been easier. Messing with the plugs slowed the entire project down for me. I took a test drive & everything works perfect! :nuts: Oh Man! The leather. It's like buttah! The smaller diameter feels great. I can still read all gauges normally. The button lights are a slightly different color (yellow instead of blue. cool!). Messin' with my radio buttons now. Oh Man, I can highly recommend this install. :thumb::thumb: Here are some of the installed pics: https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...riversside.jpg https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...vspassside.jpg https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...9/vsheadon.jpg Check the fatness of that 'balt wheel: https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...windshield.jpg |
Well done, great mod. Isn't that the same as the HHR SS though (i.e you could use Cobalt or HHR SS)?
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'baltic
Originally Posted by c2vette
(Post 416419)
Well done, great mod. Isn't that the same as the HHR SS though (i.e you could use Cobalt or HHR SS)?
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nice job and well detailled :thumb: thanks for sharing
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*Correction*
Re: Outer Diameter (O.D.). Earlier I mentioned the size of the wheel: "...28-stock, 26 1/2" 'balt". This is incorrect. I found my notes. It should be (approx): 48 1/4" stock & 46" Cobalt. Sorry. Drive on through
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I just got the same wheel from the same ebay seller for 80.00 best offer. The install took about 10 min. and looks great. Thanks for the write up.
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