Tutorial: How to replace your 718 Steering Wheel Shifter Paddles

[71eh]

In my quest to find a solution for the small'ish standard paddles on the 718, I was faced with either just buying paddle extenders or replacing them all together. Long story short, I decided to go with buying some nice carbon paddle extenders. Love them! I did however find out that replacing the paddles is quite the job!

Here is how my paddle extenders turned out. Large and Carbon:

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You can also get aluminum ones with a more minialist look to them. Quite nice as well.

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If you want to replace them all together, here is a little tutorial for you.... Quite the process!



First, how to take the wheel off.

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[gzxfia]

Nice and clear pictures!

Do you happen to know if all stock steering wheels for 718's have that yellow/orange center plug (into the clock spring)?

Looking at a handful of other tutorials I've seen a yellow with a green tab plug, but those might be 911-specific. There's some confusion for me since it was mentioned wheels are interchangeable between models.

[71eh]

Hmm.. Well most I have seen have the orange tab. Here is a picture of the front, before the wheel is removed.

Actually, a buddy of mine is making me a little video to post here that shows how to take off the wheel.

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[71eh]

Here is a little tutorial on how to take the wheel off. Make sure to disconnect the battery

[gzxfia]

This ones pretty good too.

[blueline]

@71eh
@gzxfia

Thanks for the videos you two!

[71eh]

I think it's safe to guess why I decided to just get carbon paddle extenders ha!

[ReidMcT]

This ones pretty good too.

I note some 'mistakes' in this video, involving the main center screw that attaches the steering wheel to the column.

First, the screw is not a reusable part, according to Porsche. Adding liquid blue Loctite also is not Porsche standard.

And, the torque procedure shown is not right for the 718. After applying 30Nm torque (to a dry screw), the 718 spec calls for a further quarter-turn of the screw.

I'll add that this job is not difficult if you have the right tools. No physical challenges - if you can sit in your car, you do this.

[gzxfia]

This ones pretty good too.

I note some 'mistakes' in this video, involving the main center screw that attaches the steering wheel to the column.

First, the screw is not a reusable part, according to Porsche. Adding liquid blue Loctite also is not Porsche standard.

And, the torque procedure shown is not right for the 718. After applying 30Nm torque (to a dry screw), the 718 spec calls for a further quarter-turn of the screw.

I'll add that this job is not difficult if you have the right tools. No physical challenges - if you can sit in your car, you do this.

From what I gathered, Porsche service department will definitely use a new bolt. This is/was quite a controversial topic on the inet if you look around other forums whether you should/shouldn't re-use. Then there's also at least two versions of the bolt that may or may not have same part # (one being longer than the other) that just creates more uncertainty and doubt (not to mention it potentially shares same VAG part). So some may make the counter argument to just re-use, etc. But good to know for everyone Porsche will never re-use.

Can you share a link to the torque spec / procedure? Definitely nice to have.
Not sure if there's nuances to year/model of 718 or if they're standardized across the board.

[ReidMcT]

Can you share a link to the torque spec / procedure? Definitely nice to have.
Not sure if there's nuances to year/model of 718 or if they're standardized across the board.

I got this from the 718 forum. It was originally from a service manual for the 991.2. Virtually all the mechanical parts in the front half of the car are 991 parts, so this would apply to the 718.

There are different lengths of screw, but all are the same otherwise. I think it is best to order this part using the vehicle's VIN. Doing this, my dealer's parts department got me the right screw the first time.

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