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Replace the rubber steering wheel buttons?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by clangjr, Jun 24, 2013.

  1. clangjr

    clangjr Junior Member

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    Is there an easy and inexpensive way to change the rubber steering wheel buttons? I just bought my 2010 and the button on the right is fine. The one on the left feels like it's made of chewed bubble gum and it is very sticky.

    Any help is greatly appreciated.
    Chuck
     
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  2. soloflyt

    soloflyt Junior Member

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    I also have this problem, but last time i checked with the dealer they don't sell those buttons seperately. They sell the whole cluster that screws into the steering wheel. If you find something, post here so I can do it as well.
     
  3. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Salvage yard ?
     
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  4. soloflyt

    soloflyt Junior Member

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    cheapest i saw is the whole button cluster for the steering wheel in ebay for 90$ approx..
     
  5. clangjr

    clangjr Junior Member

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    I guess the question is can you JUST replace the rubber portion or do you have to replace the entire module. Based on my research, it's not just the one side either....both sides are connected and would require replacing the pair. Once you get to the point where you can replace one side, replacing both is a snap. It's getting there that could be a journey...
     
  6. soloflyt

    soloflyt Junior Member

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    Yep, is spoke to a toyota rep, they don't just sell the button. Its one set assembly (left and right) for more. Ebay has em for 100$ approx. Replacing is easy, take off airbag and two screws... I just couldn't justify spending another 100$ for just cosmetics so I'm living with it right now. If they start making buttons then ill fix mine.
     
  7. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    Too much of a hassle to want to replace just the buttons. Plus the air bag is no joke, if you break it or mess it up, its an expensive 800$+ dollars plus bodily injuries if it goes off on you. I would let the dealers deal with this if you're not train to do it.
     
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  8. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Plenty of us have changed out the stock steering wheel to the JDM version by following the instructions and all precautions and it's easy to do. No reported case of any one of us screwing up.
     
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  9. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    ah, very nice. Glad no one has been injured! :)
     
  10. MagnusAG99

    MagnusAG99 Senior Member

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    Steering Wheel Switch Controls Rubber For Toyota Prius Prius C Aqua|Steering Wheels & Steering Wheel Hubs| - AliExpress these do now exist for the Prius C, lets hope they make em for the normal prius as well soon.

    EDIT: I said normal prius because the buttons are on different places than in my 2011, volume up and down for example is horizontal for me, not vertical, but it is vertical on the face lift 2012-2015 prius. Im buying some new steering wheel controls entirely, i hope these controls still work as normal (that the wiring is the same and its just the buttons thats changed place, or else imma have to cut and solder the wires to the correct spot).
     
    #10 MagnusAG99, Jul 22, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2020
  11. Paul E. Highway

    Paul E. Highway Active Member

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    I have a 2010 and the left button was gooey when I bought the car used; some dish soap, warm water, a toothbrush and a towel brought it back to new! I was planning to replace the left side assembly and didn’t have to...
     
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  12. ttou68

    ttou68 Active Member

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    Like suggestion above..
    I've bought and sold a few Gen 3 Prius and the sticky rubber steering wheel controls have been easily cleaned off with all purpose cleaner..
    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  13. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    To add to this, you can just replace the rubber buttons but you would need to go to a junk yard and take it off.

    Not hard at all I changed the right side buttons on mine.
     
  14. MagnusAG99

    MagnusAG99 Senior Member

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    [​IMG]
    This is how the controls look like on my Prius, aint no washing to clean that off for me lol. Excited to get the new black controls, i noticed the black ones i bought do not have the voice assistant button on the steering wheel, but that thing is useless anyways...

    Just to those that are confused about what i mean with my buttons being horizontal and the ones on the facelift being vertical.
    This is a 2009-2011 model.
    [​IMG]

    This is a 2012-2015 model (the way they shouldve been from the start IMO)
    [​IMG]
     
  15. ttou68

    ttou68 Active Member

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    Yeah, it does indeed needed to be replaced..
    You didn't mention the rubber has been partially worn off.. lol..


    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  16. lenjack

    lenjack Active Member

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    Wow...I've been looking for this for years!!!
     
  17. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Mine were not worn, and still aren't, but were kinda nasty.
    I used "Totally Awesome" to clean mine, and the rest of the inside. Did a GREAT job!
     
  18. Prius_Angie

    Prius_Angie Active Member

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    How about after cleaning you place some (clear/colored) fingernail polish in order to avert future goo accumulation? Trim-prep with blue tape.
     
  19. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Active Member

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    FWIW.
    Ferrari has a notorious sticky button issue, but those buttons are different.
    My take is that using detailing products on these rubber pieces cause the sticky issue.
    Sorry can't add to the discussion on "how easy" to replace.
     
  20. Prius_Angie

    Prius_Angie Active Member

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    i just did this procedure onto both left-right rubber buttons and onto 2x of my cars
    the brushing works perfectly and I did each of my cars in under 3min each
    thanks.
     
    #20 Prius_Angie, Aug 1, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2020
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