I need to drop and remove the steering column to access the pedal set so I can swap it from the automatic to manual set...but I've hit a snag. How do you remove the black plastic surround that shrouds the steering column behind the wheel? I removed all four screws but...considering the fact this car has 77,000 miles on it and next to no interior part is brittle or broken *yet* I'd prefer not to force it.

Halp!

 

it just snaps together. if all the screws are out then just pull it from the top and bottom. be careful though. might want to shine a flash light into the screw holes to make sure they have all been removed.

 

I've only found the four screws on the bottom side of things.

So it just snaps together? Crap...I'm afraid it's going to break..and while myself and everyone else is used to crap like this breaking I'd rather it not.

 

Just a warning, they get super brittle over time. I was drilling holes in the top of mine to install a gauge pod and the whole thing cracked in half.

 

I separated the pieces without breaking anything. It was like the hardest most nerve wracking thing I've ever done though... lol

 

You live a very sheltered life.

 

You are doing a auto to manual swap and are worried about breaking a $20 part?

 

Can you get a nice new one for $20? Or a used one that's all brittle and cracky? I'd buy a new one for $20 in a heartbeat.

 

My mistake, $25 not $20:

http://www.mazdatrix.com/getprice.as...m=60-221A-FB01

 

Yes Mark, I am concerned about breaking a piece of easily replaceable plastic. Why? Because it need not be replaced if it wasn't broken to begin with by rushing to get the conversion complete.

This Auto > Manual swap hasn't cost me hardly anything in reality. I think I've maybe spent $100. Trade deals and a local car community are great sources.