In response to Big cat little cat's excellent instructions and success, I wanted to change my cruise control switch panel; my wheel switch rubber had worn, although the cruise still worked fine. Here is how I did it:
Firstly, remove the panel below the steering wheel, by your knees, by simply pulling it off. The top and bottom steering column shrouds are held together by 3 screws, a T20 driver is required.
I then unscrewed the 4 screws holding the rear of the steering wheel on. Again T20 driver is required.
I then unclipped the airbag module (the battery had been disconnected for 30 mins beforehand). I initially used a small screwdriver with limited success. I then moved to a larger screwdriver and the module was off within a few minutes of fiddling. This picture was taken at the end, but I wanted to show the size of screwdriver.
One of the 3 rectangular holes to use to unclip the airbag:
There is a thick white wire that you have to unclip in 3 places. Once off you can see clearly:
Circled in red is one of the corresponding pieces that the white wire clips into. So, when you are rooting around with you screwdriver, you need to push the white wire from the inside towards the outside of the steering wheel. Insert the screwdriver blade and then twist.
The airbag module tucks nicely ontop of the steering wheel. I then slackened the steering wheel mounting nut. A T50 bit is required. Mine was not very tight. As you undo the screw, you feel the steering wheel spring towards you. I slackened the screw off, but I did not remove it.
The loose wheel gave me enough room to fit a short T20 bit to unscrew the cruise control panel. I used a 10mm spanner on the bit as a finger pushed the bit into the screw.
The switch panel is removed and the electrical connection is disconnected.
Here is what my pedantic vanity cost me. £75 plus VAT later......
Everything was reassembled and the car test driven and everything works just fine.
By comparison, the push switches on my phone and audio control panel on the left side of the steering wheel are shiny, whereas my new cruise panel has matt switches. Thankfully, my pedanric vanity understands the matt finish will shine up after a while.
