How to remove Steering Wheel Centre?

[Cuppa]

GU Dx Cab chassis - so no air bag.

I want to remove the horn pad from the centre of the steering wheel so I can sort out the vibration induced buzzing noise it makes at idle. I can find in the manual where on air bag models there are is a Torx screw to remove on either side, but mine doesn’t appear to have any visible screws to remove. I suppose it has to be popped off using a lever of some sort, but I don’t want to break anything, so can anyone tell me the method? Ta.

[the evil twin]

Not 100% sure but check underneath the wheel trim in the centre (IE 6 O'clock)
If there is a small hole there then the odds are there is a screw up in there like the GQ's
The screw isn't directly behind the hole but at a bit of an angle - phillips head from memory

I'll check mine when i get a chance.

[Cuppa]

Thanks, but only hole is the one in pic. Not at 6 o'clock & no screw inside. :( (Steering wheel turned to show underside).

EDIT: Inside that hole there is a small ‘tang’ with a hole for a screw, but the screw is missing. When I move the steering wheel centre/horn pad, the tang moves. I have tried ‘light’ force to remove the pad, but am a bit reluctant to try any more without further advice.

[the evil twin]

Bugger... my wheel is different to that.

FWIW you would think it must only be held on by clips...
Hopefully someone else will chime in otherwise brute force and ignorance might be the only way.

[Cuppa]

Thanks ET.

Anyone else have any ideas?

[menace 2]

I thought there was 2 holding it ?...and torx heads...is there 2 plastic covers to remove that you cant see ?

[Sharky1]

I dunno what year yours is cuppa but my '98 GU DX has a single phillips screw at the back on the bottom of the steering wheel. When you undo that, you just pull on the horn piece & it pops out. It has 2 spring clips holding it in. Putting it back together is just as simple as the clips are easy to line up.

It sounds like yours has the screw missing even though it's in a different place. You do need to put a fair bit of sunned force on it to remove it. I doubt Nissan would have changed the steering wheels that much since mine was made.

[the evil twin]

I dunno what year yours is cuppa but my '98 GU DX has a single phillips screw at the back on the bottom of the steering wheel. When you undo that, you just pull on the horn piece & it pops out. It has 2 spring clips holding it in. Putting it back together is just as simple as the clips are easy to line up.

It sounds like yours has the screw missing even though it's in a different place. You do need to put a fair bit of sunned force on it to remove it. I doubt Nissan would have changed the steering wheels that much since mine was made.

Yeah, mine is a 99 ST but the pad is held on exactly like that... 1 screw and then pull and pray

[Cuppa]

Yeah, mine is a 99 ST but the pad is held on exactly like that... 1 screw and then pull and pray

Thanks Sharky & ET. I’ve found a screw that fitted & put it in. It is possible that it was the missing screw that has resulted in the annoying buzzing noise, but I’ll have to wait until tomorrow moring to find out. It only happens when the motor is cold & I’ve been out in it this arvo.

I reckon that perhaps I’ll need to practice my praying! At risk of getting tedious about this, is the pulling associated with the praying one of sustained pressure or a ‘clean & jerk’.
And with the wheel in in it’s upright (straight ahead) position where are the 2 clips that hold the pad on? North & South or East & West or?? (knowing where they are might help to pull correctly). I did try with some fairly serious pressure but suspect that my praying let me down & I stopped before I reached breakage point.

Thanks to to Menace. The two Torx type are used with models fitted with air bags as far as I can tell.

[Cuppa]

Replacing the missing screw has resolved the vibration noise I wanted to get rid off, so I’m leaving the removal of the horn pad until such time as it becomes necessary in the future. I suppose I should practice my praying so I’m up to speed when I need it. Fat chance though! :)