DIY: Installing Sport paddles
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14
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Did this install today without taking off the steering wheel and it turned out perfectly (except for me breaking off a small piece of the right side trim cover)! My car's an '07 G35x base model and it was pre-wired!
Pics:
Pics:
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 72
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From: Warner Robins, GA
Just did this install without removing the streering wheel, its a matter of having the wheel turned to the right position so you can access the three screws and pull the trim pieces off. It took an hour with me taking pics of the install, so probably a 30 min job for most people. here are the pics of the install http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...6&l=4a8a3ef1a3
great mod and yeah i got it from riverside Infiniti for $245
great mod and yeah i got it from riverside Infiniti for $245
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2
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Great thread and appreciated Sameerg's instructions for completing it without taking off the wheel. Took some pressure to get the old lower cover piece off but after that it was easy. At first I didn't use the new upper trim and put it all back together. There seemed to be a color variance so I popped off the old top piece and put it on. Can't say it was much better but seemed closer. Oh well, pretty easy install and now I can shift on the fly. 
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Joined: Mar 2011
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I also successfully did this just yesterday! Many thanks to all that submitted info. Very surprised how easy this was. 
One hang up I wanted to share was removing the trim piece that covers most of the lower part of the steering wheel that a couple others reported having some difficulty with. Since the new kit comes with pieces that will replace that piece, I simply used tin snips to cut it out. I think that was easier than trying to struggle with it. A few cuts and it came right out. Like others have noted I didn't use the top trim piece that came with the kit. My car is an 09 G37X coupe with just 13k miles so the black hasn't had time to fade. It was also helpful to have a small plastic pry bar to separate the trim pieces but thats totally optional as a flat head screwdriver with electricians tape covering the head would work just as well.
If you're reading this thread thinking about doing this, do *not* hesitate in fear of the install being out of your reach. It truly is as easy as turning the steering wheel in various ways to unscrew some screws and pulling (or cutting one) out a few trim pieces, plugging in and screwing in the paddles. All the pieces that you're removing aside from one small one that pops right now on the bottom are replaced with new parts so you don't have to worry about screw driver marks or messing them up. You can't plug the paddles in wrong as each sides connector only goes in that side. Its almost completely idiot proof. I didn't take any pics as others in this thread have done a great job of that.
Just after completing the job (in well under an hour) I felt bad for those who went though all the extra steps in removing the steering wheel and airbag... I'm not saying that to be smug either.
One hang up I wanted to share was removing the trim piece that covers most of the lower part of the steering wheel that a couple others reported having some difficulty with. Since the new kit comes with pieces that will replace that piece, I simply used tin snips to cut it out. I think that was easier than trying to struggle with it. A few cuts and it came right out. Like others have noted I didn't use the top trim piece that came with the kit. My car is an 09 G37X coupe with just 13k miles so the black hasn't had time to fade. It was also helpful to have a small plastic pry bar to separate the trim pieces but thats totally optional as a flat head screwdriver with electricians tape covering the head would work just as well.
If you're reading this thread thinking about doing this, do *not* hesitate in fear of the install being out of your reach. It truly is as easy as turning the steering wheel in various ways to unscrew some screws and pulling (or cutting one) out a few trim pieces, plugging in and screwing in the paddles. All the pieces that you're removing aside from one small one that pops right now on the bottom are replaced with new parts so you don't have to worry about screw driver marks or messing them up. You can't plug the paddles in wrong as each sides connector only goes in that side. Its almost completely idiot proof. I didn't take any pics as others in this thread have done a great job of that.
Just after completing the job (in well under an hour) I felt bad for those who went though all the extra steps in removing the steering wheel and airbag... I'm not saying that to be smug either.
Honestly, the removal of the wheel was easy and if the instructions were followed to the letter, you got to enjoy a few beers while you were at it.
I enjoyed the process and if you dare dig into the process of removing the wheel (which is actually very easy to do) the installation of the paddles is even easier.
I enjoyed the process and if you dare dig into the process of removing the wheel (which is actually very easy to do) the installation of the paddles is even easier.
