I've decide to change my steering wheel to wood from Lexus GX470. I followed instruction given by slowginjoe in "woodgrain steering wheel" thread. At some point I found interesting thing: my OEM steering wheel has some add-ons. I was trying to remove it by unscrewing 2 bolts holding it, but it wasn't successful. I broke my screwdriver and nearly broke the heads of both screws. Is it some sort of new 2005 steering wheel? Does anyone know how to remove them? The only way I can think about is drilling them off, but in this case I'll drill larger holes and will not be able to put new screws there. I have someone who I'm going to give my OEM wheel.
What that piece is and why it there? What for?

Attached Images

 

Looks to me like reinforcement for the steering wheel, I've seen it on a few of the newer steering wheels. But, I don't think you have to take it off. Have you tried just loosening the center nut and pulling the wheel off? You'll probably need to disconnect that wire bundle though.

looks like a support brace...

Yes I did. I can remove the black wire connector but not the yellow one; it's connected direct to the column. I don't want to disconnect the airbag; because I'm afraid it cans malfunction after. So I thought to remove this *** piece then loose the center nut, take the old wheel out and put a new one in, and then place everything back.

Hi AlexJet, it's me slowginjoe. I don't know how much help I can be since I didn't have that piece on my steering wheel. If you can't get the screws to turn, I would suggest disconnecting the airbag. That's the way I installed my steering wheel even though I didn't need to disconnect it. I only found that out after the fact. Just make sure you disconnect the negative terminal on your battery and it'll be fine.

Another thought: Are you able to reach any of the threads on those two screws and apply a little liquid wrench and see if they loosen up? (I'm thinking if you take off the large center nut and free the steering wheel, you might be able to apply some liquid wrench from the back side..) And maybe try using a larger handled screwdriver for more leverage?

*EDIT* worse comes to worse and you do break the screws, you could always tap new threads in those holes to fit screws one size up with a kit like THIS. However, I don't think this piece is absolutely vital, since your steering wheel looks the same as mine except for that bridge piece. I don't think anyone would miss it.

Thanks for advise slowginjoe, I'll try to add some liquid wrench from behind. I don't have a "TAP AND DIE SET", so I'll try not to break them.

OK. I've done it. Uhh, it cost me two damaged screws and one broken screwdriver.
First of all I found what that piece is for. I talked to the service manager at my dealership and he sends an internal mail to Toyota headquarters. Then he called me and said that this piece is for new 2005 airbags, it's some sort of a wall to allow airbag deployed in perfect form and direction to allow less damage in case of accident.
There those screws and the one I replaced them with which I found in local hardware store. They are #10-32-1". There is tool which I used to take them out after damage:

Attached Images

 

and finally everything is back, including the airbag piece.
I have Lexus Wood Steering Wheel... :

Attached Images

 

congratulations! i bet you'll enjoy the steering wheel much more now that you've put all that elbow grease into it! great taste in wood color too!

Thanks slowginjoe.
Yes I like it, first it looks much better, and second it has better thickness so handles much better.
As you can see it matches very close to both of my Genuine Wood kits.
BTW, it seems that you have the same color as I do. I

I've had the steering wheel for about a year now and there's not one blemish on it. Sammy (the guy we bought it from) said to just clean it with some water and at most, some warm diluted soapy water. The only thing he warned my about was the seatbelt buckle; to be careful when taking it off to not hit it against the wood or it could ding or chip. I don't think you have to worry much about the wood except to wipe it down once in a while, and not wear that watch!

I know what you mean about the thicker steering wheel, it feels much more solid than the stock and the leather seems to be much thicker and durable.

*edit - looks like you got the sport wheel with the thumb rests like i did too! it makes the wheel a little more comfortable to hold and turn..

Yes we do... . That is the most exciting part in the wheel. I'm really enjoying driving with it, no comparison to the stock one, 10 times better. I've Limited and was wondering why Toyota do not equipped Limited with wood wheel. I had Montero Limited which was nearly half equipped with the gadgets I have in 4Runner Limited, but was with stock wood dash kit (actually plastic simulation) and genuine wood wheel. As far as I found 2006 Limited will be with wood dash (didn't seen it yet, but looks like they just replaced granite parts with plastic wood), still no wood wheel. May be they want us to buy Lexus... I, personally, wouldn't buy Lexus just for looks and pay for it 20k more.