Steering wheel swap

[Ghosthawk]

With my plans to add some black accents to the tan interior of the Bonne, I was looking at the black leather wheel that came on the 04-up Grand Prix. I like the center Pontiac medallion (which could be overlayed with my Ghosthawk logo) and I think the overall look would be quite nice.

I've compared pics of quite a few used parts on eBay, and all of the mounting points, clockspring and air bag connections appear to be the same. The only difference I see is the plug connector for the steering wheel audio controls. While the harness and number of wires looks virtually the same, the actual plastic plug appears to be different.

For anyone here who is knowledgable on electrical connections, I was wondering if color matching the wires and splicing the compatible plug in place would work? The GP wheel controls have the same functions as the Bonne, but not sure if there is any difference outside of that.

Looks like I can get the needed parts for about $200 as long as I can get the electrical audio controls to work.

[harofreak00]

The wiring for the steering wheel connections would be the easy part.

The biggest thing I would be worried about is if the airbag is compatible. Not really something you want blowing up in your face.

[Ghosthawk]

I'm in 100% agreement on the airbag routine, and if it even look mildly different I dont think I'd even consider the swap. Given the airbag is mated to the wheel in question, but the clocksprings, airbag electrical connections, horn connection, and wheel hub mount all look the same. I can pick up a balck leather wheel on eBay for about $30-40, so I figure I'll grab one of those and get firsthand look at things before I pop (maybe bad choice of words) for the airbag module. Plus I'll be able to examine the audio wiring closer as well.

[Ghosthawk]

I've found several of these on eBay for about $50 (sans the thumb shifters and cruise control lever) Since I'm looking to paint the dash panel, console, air vents and door pulls piano black, I was thinking I could pull the silver spoke covers and paint them black as well. Then maybe a Wheelskins tu-tone tan/black cover and a tan shifter boot.

[Ghosthawk]

I found an airbag for the GP wheel at a decent price and ordered it up. We've had some decent weather of late, and going back on daylight savings time this weekend may actually start providing some time to tackle this interior project.

I installed my Wheelskins cover on my convertible the other day, and was pretty pleased with the results, so I think a tu-tone black tan on the new GP wheel will look sharp (maybe a matching shifter boot as well) I also need to get a different decal for the wheel center which says "GP"

Here's a shot of the Sebring wheel cover installed...

[Ghosthawk]

Airbag arrived today and the weather is looking lovely...hope to get started on this interior project soon!

[Ghosthawk]

Wow, time sure flies when youre busy doing other things. I've painted some of the interior accents black and the audio switch covers on the GP steering wheel. I'm also in the process of fabbing up some legs to use with the wheel puller since there are no threaded holes (so much for the keep it simple rule...thanks GM)

Once I get the wheel off then I'll pull the instrument panel bezel and console insert to paint them black as well. Should be coming together soon...and some before/after pics will be a must!

My "Ghosthawk" logo decals also arrived for the steering wheel medallion and wheel center caps...the look is coming together nicely I think.

[00Beast]

Honestly, you don't need a wheel puller. Harofreak00 removed my wheel on my car by removing the nut and yanking on the wheel and it popped off pretty quickly. The back of the wheel has special slots which legs are supposed to go into to pull from behind. However, the "going beserk" method works just fine.

You don't have to remove the wheel to get the bezel off, FWIW.

[InfiniteRiddles]

Did anyone find out weather or not the Airbag was OK with being installed in a Bonneville? I also am looking into that swap.

[Ghosthawk]

I guess I'll be finding out pretty soon. All the connection for the airbag look exactly the same so I dont forsee any issue there. Properly mating the wires for the audio controls appears to be the only place modification is required as opposed to simple plug-n-play.

I'll be posting some comparison pics when I get the wheels off and Harofreak has already offered his expertise in getting the wiring straight...so stay tuned.

I may have to resort to "going berserk" LOL!

[JG2000SE]

Glad I checked out this thread, sounds like it's going to look awesome once completed. Looking forward to seeing the piano black updates along with the new steering wheel. Be sure to post pics.

[Ghosthawk]

Here is a shot of the GP wheel with the spoke cover painted black. Unfortunately, my effort toward a very slick piano black finish have not panned out. It would seem the acrylic enamel doesnt lend itself well to the basecoat/sand/clear process without severe fish-eye reaction. I finally resorted to having to strip the pieces I removed, clean with alcohol, re-sand, prime, and then a gloss black top-coat. The result is still fairly good, but retains a bit of orange peel texture.

The back spoke cover on the wheel was already a grained plastic finish so I simply shot the gloss black over the factory ebony grey.



This is a shot of the audio control connector. I havent pulled the Bonnie wheel yet since it seems the afternoon thunderstorms are a daily occurrence. I have to work the weekend so its looking like Tuesday might be task day, weather permitting of course.



Here is a shot of the wire harness going into the connector. I'm going to assume the H-F-G-E has some significance...like maybe the Bonnie plug will be marked in similar fashion?



I'll also be installing the tu-tone tan/black Wheelskin cover once everything is on as well as the tan shifter boot in the console. I also need to do a quick review for pulling the instrument bezel...I dont want to break anything there!

[00Beast]

Push-in the two clips above the cluster with a pen-tip or small screwdriver, pull them out, remove the cubby and the key bezel and it all pops off.

[InfiniteRiddles]

I'm definitely excited to see this pulled off. The newer button config looks way better than the gray ones.

[Ghosthawk]

Push-in the two clips above the cluster with a pen-tip or small screwdriver, pull them out, remove the cubby and the key bezel and it all pops off.

Does the knee bumper panel under the steering wheel need to come off?...especially since I'm pulling to console trim as well?

[sonoma_zr2]

Nope

[InfiniteRiddles]

Hey if anyone has any way of sending me full copies via email of the books made directly for my 2002 Bonneville SSEI. Just curious about it.

[Ghosthawk]

The anticipation was killing me so...when I got home from work this afternoon I decided to begin the swap and see what kind of mess I was in...and it didnt disappoint.

The airbag came off with not much effort, and the tool for the job was well worth the $12


As you can see, the two airbag connectors are virtually identical


Then I removed the three torx screws that held this part in place...


I am befuddled by this part since it has no connections...it appears to be nothing more than a weight of some kind...or is it a magnet that serves another purpose? The part was located here...


This creates the first problem with the swap since there are no pre-drilled holes on the GP wheel to accept this part. The second issue is with the wiring for the audio controls as shown below


The connector on the Bonnie wheel has four wires marked A-B-C-D...while the one for the GP has five connections. I hope there is an easy fix for this but this is where I'll need some input from Harofreak or one of the other resident gearheads with schematic knowledge.

EDIT...I just checked the GM service manual (thank you GPONA) and the repair instructions say "remove the steering wheel weight block if equipped"...uhh, for give my ignorance here, but why a weight block inside the wheel? I could maybe understand if it was on the bottom to help keep the wheel "on center" but on the top?

[sonoma_zr2]

Here is the bonne connectors

[sonoma_zr2]

Here are the GP