replacing steering cover column + control panel trim

08.03.09 (sunday): finally got myself into replacing some interior damages after some struggles. my motor insurance refused take my car in for repairs and compensate me for all damages and losses simply because i first had my car towed to my trusted mechanic whose workshop is not one of their panel workshops.

found a car spare part shop in Puchong and bought a new steering cover column and control panel trim. both cost me RM 25 each. only difference was the steering cover column was a genuine Proton part that did not cost much while the control panel trim was an OEM part that cost as much as the cover column... a control panel trim for any Proton Wira and Satria that comes with original paint / design from Proton would easily cost 10 times the OEM part. yes, no kidding, it is about RM 250 +- for the freaking panel in the middle (not even the whole set that wraps the upper part of the control panel). so i took the OEM part that only comes in black finishing and 2 decks.

here are photos that i have taken with my mobile phone. may be useful as pointers for some of you who are as unlucky as i was, and want to save a few Ringgits from getting replacements at a car accessories shop.

replacing the cover column was easy.

unwind the screws holding the broken cover column underneath the steering wheel.
place the new cover column from bottom to top and make sure there are no gaps in between the top and bottom cover columns.
tighten up the screws and this is done.

the control panel trim is rather more complicated because there are wires connected to the cigarette lighter and ashtray.
unwind all screws that hold the trim to the center of your car interior.
disconnected the wires.
label them if you have to, in case you forget where does each go to...
remove the damaged / original trim.

to remove the cigarette lighter from the original trim, twist the ring at the back of the cigarette lighter anti-clockwise.

and it is apart.

reverse the order and place the cigarette lighter to the new / replacement trim.
lock the ring by twisting it clockwise.

now for the ashtray, remove the metal clips that hold the tray onto the damaged / original trim.
follow the same position, place the ashtray onto the new / replacement trim.
place back the clips.

and they are now both transferred.

before you push the control panel trim back into the dashboard, re-attach back the wires to the ashtray. this is so you can test before tightening the trim. otherwise, you will have to go for a joyride. :p
they will be hard to miss or mix because each connector is different.
you just need to match the size of the female connector to the male connectors on the tray.

tadda!! trim re-attached and everything in place, except for the missing stereo and the silver coloured cup holder. will get that changed to a black one so it will be less obvious.