1969-73 Steering wheel switch housing disassembly

[csimeon]

I am trying to access the steering column switches. To do that I need to remove the switch housing. 1969 design (911 & 912) had a 2 part housing - top bottom - The two halves button-up against each other, around the steering shaft. The housing also has 2 screws , one on each side, right on the top-to-bottom seam.

I have removed the screws and pried the two halves apart. However despite the halves having separated from each other (on button-up points are apart) the housing seams somehow mounted to the steering shaft structure. I inserted a screw driver trying to pop some internal fixing point apart, but it's not working despite significant distortion of the plastic housing. Anymore force and it's likely to break

Does anyone know how to take this thing apart?

Photo 1 (below): the whole picture


Photo 2 (below): detail from left, upper / lower parts pried apart with screw driver (against the top of wheel knob) - notice the metal cap exposed in the middle of the cap after I peeled off the center leather crest.


Photo 3 (below): detail from the right

[Jaems]

You might try removing the steering wheel first.

Disconnect the battery and then push in on the horn cap and twist it off. There is a big nut that needs to be removed and then the wheel will pull out.

[lane912]

Originally Posted by Jaems

You might try removing the steering wheel first.

+1
disconect the batery too

[csimeon]

This brings me to the next question:

I found it impossible to twist off the wheel. My wheel - as you probably already noticed - is not typical for 1969. The previous owner switched the original for an earlier, wood one. In addition he also non-typically did not add the butterfly horn button. If there were a butterfly I know I would be holding the wheel and push the butterfly in and twist.

I tried pushing in and turning, gripping the black plastic cap with both hands while another held the wheel steady - very forcefully. Maybe someone added glue to hold the cap in place...
Or, am I doing something wrong?

[Jaems]

Which direction did you twist? Mine always came right off. Also the very early years did not have a butterfly horn ring. That wheel probably came originally on a 66.

[csimeon]

Thank you all! Still at it..

Since this is an issue common to the 911 & 912 I had started a thread in both forums.
To concentrate the replies in one spot I will be posting only on the 911 forum - see link below -

PLEASE POST THERE FROM NOW ON

Originally Posted by csimeon

...
Since I was unable to twist the cap off and access the steeringwheel lock-nut I proceeded to remove the metal lid ...

Other suggestions, please?