Upgrading your paddle shifters to the enlarged aluminum paddles enhances your driving experience overall. The paddles are such a subtle addition but they make a massive impact.
These are aluminum (Also offered in carbon fiber) and have a much better feel to them than the paddles that come with the car from factory.
You can buy the Kies Motorsports Aluminum paddles HERE.
Today we will upgrade these, it’s a very easy install.
Here are the tools we will need:
10mm socket - Buy Here
Flat head screwdriver - Buy Here
T20 Torx - Buy Here
Pick Tool - Buy Here
Phillips Head Screwdriver - Buy Here
First step, disconnect the batter (10mm) we need to remove the airbag so disconnecting the batter is essential.
Next we need to remove the airbag. There are two holes, one on each side of the steering wheel column. These lead to a spring loaded pin that, when correctly pressed, will release the airbag. This may take some time. Be gentle, don’t stab around in there. If you don’t feel the spring and airbag release. Pull the flathead back out and reinsert. Once each side is released the airbag will come right out.
There is then one plug holding the airbag into the steering assembly. Go ahead and disconnect the clip, releasing the airbag entirely. Set it aside somewhere safe.
Next we need to remove the two T20’s that are holding the paddle assembly in place.
The paddle assembly should now release, it will be hanging by a wire. Looking at the paddle, you will see a plastic pin that is holding the actual paddle into the assembly. Use a pick tool to push it out from the smaller side to the larger side.
You can now take the old paddle off, set that aside.
Grab your new paddle assembly, (Make sure its the correct side) In order to assemble this, you will see two black plastic pieces in your kit. One will go in front of the paddle, one will go behind the paddle. These only fit one way.
Take the screw and insert it into the assembly, tighten it down.
Now you can reinstall the paddle assembly into the steering column with the pin we removed before.
Reinstall your T20 and repeat the process to the other side!
Finally, go ahead and reinstall the airbag. Plug in the airbag then place it into the spring loaded clips and press down. It should snap right into place. Remember to reconnect the battery.
You can watch the full video install here: