Sales@VetteEssentials.com
248-852-9030 (Office)
248-396-4173 (Cell)
1810 Star Batt Dr
Rochester Hills, MI 48309
www.vetteessentials.com


We are pleased to provide for you our installation instructions for Vette Essentials' custom leather steering wheel. We also invite you to review the many other products offered by Vette Essentials, including other custom leather products, as shown on our website: www.vetteessentials.com. Enjoy!


Disclaimers, etc.


  1. The following are one set of steps that you may use to install the Vette Essentials' custom steering wheel on a C5 Corvette. Alternatives may exist.
  2. Use these instructions at your own risk and be careful not to damage your new or existing parts.
  3. Neither Vette Essentials nor anyone affiliated with it or the formation of these instructions takes any responsibility for the results or effects achieved by following these instructions.

Specific core information for this project


Many Vette Essentials items require the return of a core item (i.e., the original factory part), so be careful not to damage the part you are replacing because if it is damaged so that it cannot be used by Vette Essentials then you may also owe to Vette Essentials the value of the core. Unless arrangements have been made to the contrary, you are required to return your stock steering wheel including all of the factory hardware, as detailed below, to Vette Essentials. Thus, make sure that nothing is removed from the steering wheel. If your stock steering wheel does not comply with these requirements, please call Vette Essentials to discuss your options.

Printing these instructions


You might find it might helpful to print these instructions so that you can take them out to work on your 'Vette. For most folks, these instructions should print out in a readable form simply by choosing "File" and then "Print" on your web browser. Alternatively, you may save some office supplies and some stress if you print these directions in landscape orientation. For those not familiar with that, at the top of your browser choose "File", then choose "Print." A window opens up with print options, and one option should say "Properties." Choose that "Properties" option, and there now will be several tabs to choose from -- select the one that says "Paper." This will bring up several options about the paper, one of which that is "Orientation." Click on "landscape," click "okay" once which will take you back to the print window, and then hit "okay" again. This should start the printing process.

Viewing larger pictures


If you want to see any of the pictures below in enlarged form, then just single click on the picture. When you're finished looking at an enlarged picture, hit the "Back" button on your browser.

Let's get started

Here's our tools, from left to right:
  1. telephone
  2. cash (or an equivalent!)
Step 1: The basic stock steering wheel. Say goodbye, as soon it will be much nicer looking!
Step 2: Vette Essentials recommends that you do not install the custom steering wheel on your own. This recommendation follows from the fact that the airbag will have to be removed and this could be a dangerous, and indeed potentially lethal, task should the airbag accidentally deploy. Additionally, the cost of replacing the airbag, should it deploy, is high, while the cost of hiring an experienced person to install the custom steering wheel is relatively low. Lastly, the installation process requires a steering wheel puller, and the cost of that tool alone typically exceeds the cost to have GM install your new custom wheel. So, using your telephone, call your favorite Chevrolet dealer and ask them about their ability, willingness, and price to remove your stock steering wheel and replace it with the Vette Essentials' custom steering wheel. You might indicate to the dealer that the custom wheel is a factory steering wheel that has been wrapped with custom leather. Otherwise, they may fear that you are going with an aftermarket wheel, which might cause them to refuse to do the install. Typical install price is 30 minutes of labor and in addition a charge of less than $5 may be incurred for a new wheel nut, but check with your dealer to ensure this as an install price because some dealers may attempt to charge you for a greater period of time. Hourly rates vary from dealer to dealer.
Step 3: Examine the new Vette Essentials' custom steering wheel so that you're familiar with the factory parts. We have had situations where dealers did not return all of the parts associated with the steering wheel and this prevents us from accepting the wheel back from the customer as an acceptable core. So, please look at the various parts in the photo and make sure you explain to the installer that you must receive your factory steering wheel back, as well as all of the parts associated with it, such as the four (4) rubber bumpers, the four (4) hex head screws, and the hardware they retain, and finally the electrical tab. Also, you might ask that the installer leave the bubble wrap on the new custom steering wheel during the install so that the new custom leather is not damaged during that process.
Step 4: Stop and admire your new custom steering wheel. Next, ask yourself what else you need from Vette Essentials to further enhance your Vette!!

That's all folks. Peace.


Copyright 2002-2003 Vette Essentials, LLC
Reproduction permitted for purposes of installing Vette Essentials' products

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