How to remove center piece in steering wheel - 2006 262

[groberts4]

If this response shows up twice, my apologies - my nearly-completed entry just blanked when I tried to upload photos. Here we go again...

Thanks to everyone for their comments and questions. In no particular order, my responses:
1) Attached are pics of the piece from the side. The other picture, which you asked about, is from the back showing the heavy duty tape (looks OEM) holding the chromed ring in place;
2) Thanks so much for the Youtube video showing the nail polish! I'm also an avid Youtube learner, but never thought to check for a solution. If I can't get a replacement part I'm going nail polish all the way!
3) Good suggestion on just replacing the whole thing. The wood-grain outer ring is in surprisingly good condition, but all the plastic and rubber needs replacing, as you can tell from my earlier photos. Considering that the letters in the aft/side mounted COBALT logo are $27 each, I can only imagine what these new steering wheel parts might cost, but worth it to make the helm look almost new again.

PXL_20221212_214549965.jpg

PXL_20221212_214523575.jpg

PXL_20221210_235340575.jpg

[Titaniumboy]

Thanks for the additional pictures. They really clear up how things go together.

The chromed ring is only held in by tape? What the heck?

[groberts4]

Actually the ring is held in place by clicking into its hole - the larger, inner ring snaps in behind the plastic. I can see why Cobalt wanted to reinforce that with the "supertape", since it would never ever vibrate out once taped AND snapped in.

[Big Block Power]

For a couple of hundred bucks a new Guzzi steering wheel is worth it in my opinion.

[Titaniumboy]

Any idea who was the manufacturer of the OEM steering wheels?

[Titaniumboy]

Sorry but why not just replace that piece?

I would love to replace the chrome ring, but have no idea where to find it?

I got the black center piece from the dealer. So I would think they can get the chrome piece? Or just upgrade the whole steering wheel

No joy in finding the chromed ring at the dealer. The parts guys thought he might have one in the back, but he checked and it is no longer there. And he said it is no longer available from Cobalt.

He had no idea of who originally made the steering wheels for Cobalt.

I guess I could get another steering wheel, but I kinda like this one.

[groberts4]

Same here - I checked two places in the area and both pretty much laughed at the idea of finding ANY parts for a 2006 Cobalt.

[Titaniumboy]

My guy suggested that I peruse eBay or Craigslist for boats getting parted out.

Fat chance of finding one of these chromed rings in decent shape on a part-out. It is hard to imagine a boat that has seen less sun and elements than mine at 270 hours and always in a building, and yet my chromed ring still has issues.

Either I live with it, buy a new steering wheel like BBP suggests, or I break out the metal lathe.

[Big Block Power]

What is the part number?
I have the C for the center.

[Titaniumboy]

I asked for the part number for the chromed ring, but the parts guy said he couldn’t get it due to it being discontinued.

[groberts4]

Hi all - I've got a call into Cobalt HQ in Neodesha, KS for part numbers and the cost of a brand new steering wheel just in case. I also found a dozen very cheap boat steering wheels on Amazon. Can anyone tell me what the type of mount is needed for the '06? Specifically, Internal Dimension and number of keys...?
Lastly, does anyone have any experience with these after market wheels? Some are obviously very cheap but there's one for $177 that looks very cool, assuming I can't keep everything original.

[Titaniumboy]

When the factory calls you back, can you ask them if they know who manufactured the steering wheel?

[Titaniumboy]

Got it apart, the chromed piece feels like a light alloy with the chrome already peeling off. Obviously won't withstand any polishing.

I finally got to the boat today and was able to play with the steering wheel. I can’t believe how easy it was to take off the tee shaped piece of black plastic that holds the chromed ring.

At home the chromed ring came out of the tee shaped black plastic very easily. The black plastic is a fairly dense piece of flexible foam. You can see the little pile of chrome sitting just left of the chromed ring.

72172CB4-C542-463D-8045-6E1ED5143D57.jpeg

The chrome just peeled away from the base metal.

66BFFEF8-62F1-4468-8C41-70675F8B5F40.jpeg

The pile of chrome is now much larger. I’m pretty sure that the base metal is aluminum.

CA9538DC-7837-41F7-A019-9E80AA8C779C.jpeg

The black center Cobalt logo is clearly plastic and glued in super tight. I'm pretty sure it would break if I tried prying it free, which will making sanding and painting a pain.

My black Cobalt logo was actually glued in a bit crooked as it wasn’t seated fully in the pocket . The Cobalt logo being crooked was actually a benefit as it let me grab an edge and it easily came out with just a bit of poking and prodding with some el cheapo plastic trim removal tools. If yours was installed properly and is in the pocket all the way, then you might have a harder time getting it out without damage.

The glue on the Cobalt logo actually peeled away the underlying chrome.

20587F9E-42D3-43B2-8819-344DB78A67B8.jpeg

[groberts4]

Thanks for all the detailed information. I've actually been looking at after market wheels on Amazon and have found a couple that are good quality and will match the boat's general aesthetic. Or I just might do the nail polish thing to the chrome ring and pop it back in. Either way, this forum has been a great source of information and advice. I thank you all for your contributions - and Merry Christmas!

[AsLan7]

Thanks for all the detailed information. I've actually been looking at after market wheels on Amazon and have found a couple that are good quality and will match the boat's general aesthetic. Or I just might do the nail polish thing to the chrome ring and pop it back in. Either way, this forum has been a great source of information and advice. I thank you all for your contributions - and Merry Christmas!

.
We appreciate your pics as well g4. Thanks for contributing.....and yes, Merry Christmas!

.