Mark S.

I noticed the other day that either my wife or I had inadverdently put about a inch scratch in the vinyl steering center wheel cover with a car key. I tried fixing it and I made it worse. I was wondering if this cover can easily be replaced (i.e. does it pop off? Or do you have to remove some screws from behind the wheel?). I will go to the dealer today to order a replacement cover.

mdeal

iTrader: (2)

It is probably a replacement part best left to the dealership since the airbag could become an issue.

Mark S.

mdeal, I agree...but first I want to make sure that I can get the cover and not have to pay for the airbag, too. The cover seems to "jiggle" easily and I would think that there has to be an easy way to fix let's say, the horn contacts, etc., without it being a major process.
I'm sure I will have the dealer do the work.

Mark S.

Follow-up information: I just called the dealership and they said that the plastic cover is part of the air bag system...therefore the whole thing has to be replaced....at a cost of $711.00 without the labor.
Imagine that!? They recommended that I have "vinyl" repairman work on the scratch instead. All I can say is be careful with sharp objects around your steering wheel...it can be very expensive to have it fixed!

mdeal

iTrader: (2)

Just get one of those big furry covers you put around the wheel.

NYC2SD

See if you can find a totalled max with rear end damage at copartfinder.com or a junkyard and swap.

Mark S.

NYC2SD, that is a great idea...but I checked with one of those Paintless Dent Repair places that also repair vinyl, leather, etc. and they looked at my Maxima and gave me an estimate of $65 to fix the scratch. They basically have to paint about half of the plastic center piece and blend in the rest. I told them my concern about overspray inside the car and they said that they do this all the time. In fact, he mentioned that they do this on new cars sitting on the lot and that the prospective customers are never aware of the fact that they did some repair inside the car. He also said that many times the "preppers" ruin the seats and trim when removing the plastic and that they have to repair and then repaint the trim, etc. I just might go this route.