2003 - 2008 Paddle Shifter Installation

[la_fx35]

Parts to build your own spiral/clock spring paddle assembly
Infiniti Steering wheel column cover without telescopic/power tilt switch: $45
03-05 FX35/45 48470-CG010 black
03-05 FX35/45 48470-CG011 wheat

Infiniti Spiral/Clock Spring: $120
03-05 FX35/45 25567-CD025
06-07 FX35/45 B5567-CC00E
08 FX35/45 B5567-EV00E (old B5567-CL70A)

Infiniti Paddles: $175
10 FX35 25549-JK000 black
10 G37 25549-JK10A wheat



NTE Electronics R46-5D12-12 General Purpose DC Relay or Bosch 0332209150 5-prong automotive relay
3 to 4 feet of 20 gauge wires
Telephone cord
Telephone cord coupler

Tools used to build your own spiral/clock spring paddle assemblyHot glue gun and glue stick
Hercules proproxy 20 epoxy putty stick
Wire cutter
Soldering gun and solder
Dremel tool

Instructions on how to build your own spiral/clock spring paddle assembly
Refer to turbocad6 write-up here; https://www.infinitiscene.com/search/1/?q=1369-how-to-install-paddle-shifters


Install a spiral/clock spring paddle assembly onto the steering column
1. I built my own paddles onto the spiral/clock spring. Here some pics of my built.
NTE Electronics R46-5D12-12 General Purpose DC Relay.



2. Double pass through relay circuit.



3. Pull the radio/ac bezel off, undo the ribbon cable, disconnect the connector and remove the bezel out of the way.
4. Undo the six Phillips screws and pull the radio stack out enough to get to the Unified Meter right below the display screen.
5. Disconnect the Unified Meter connector on the back of the radio stack.



6. Unified Meter connector wires.



7. Connect the Double Bypass Relay wiring to Unified Meter connector.



8. Plug the Unified Metter connector back to the unit, reinstall the radio stack and bezel.
9. Remove the Airbag off steering wheel.



10. Lift the Airbag off the steering wheel and disconnect the Airbag connectors.


NOTE:
DO NOT turn on the car or key to accessories with the Airbag disconnected.
The Airbag light will lit and need to be reset if you turn on the car or to accessories.


11. Remove the lower column cover and pop the power tilt switch off the cover.
12. Disconnect the two bigger (white & yellow) connectors on the under side of the spiral/clock spring.
13. Remove the upper column covers.



14. Remove the steering wheel. Take note how the steering is positioned before removing it from the column. Make a line of some sort across the steering wheel and the head of the column to help in re-align the steering wheel during re-install.




15. Lift the spiral/clock spring and stalks assembly off the steering column.



16. Remove the turn signal and headlight stalks off the spiral/clock spring by squeeze the two white tabs on side of the stalk connector.
17. Flip the spiral/clock spring over, undo the three Phillips screws, transfer the steering wheel sensor onto the spiral/clock spring paddle assembly and tighten down the Phillips.



18. Tada, the spiral/clock spring with paddle shifter.




19. Trim off the plastic around the cluster and bend bracket to fit the spiral/clock spring paddle assembly back on the steering column.



20. Install the spiral/clock spring paddle assembly back on the steering column.




21. Slide and snap the modified upper column covers over the spiral/clock spring paddle assembly.
22. Tighten down the two Phillips screw to hold the upper column covers in place.
23. Plug in the two connector on the under side of the spiral/clock spring paddle assembly.
24. Use the cut out of the power tilt switch on old upper column cover as a template and cut a hole to fit to relocate the power tilt switch. Use some hot glue to hold the power tilt switch in place if needed.
25. Clip the lower column cover back onto the steering column.
26. Reinstall the Phillips screw on the lower column cover.
27. Reinstall the steering wheel, air bag, and plug in all connectors (steering controls and airbag).
28. Align the steering wheel and reinstall the steering column nut. Torque to 25 ft-lb.
29. Reinstall the two airbag T30 Torx screws. Torque to 82.5 in-lb.




30. All done. Now go enjoy the paddle shifters…click vavroom.

 

[AeroBFA]

Very nicely detailed and thorough DIY. I think you outdid yourself this time. Only 30 "quick and easy" step, lol. :top:

 

[la_fx35]

What you still up? Yeah 30 steps. It's crazy!

 

[jdTrader]

great DIY as usual Andy!

 

[tchuck]

Excellent work, sir. As usual. :top:

 

[fxlr8]

Very nice Andy! Thanks for helping out iS and your fellow FX drivers!!! Helps keep where it is today.....

 

[pmanliu]

Nice! The next mod on my to do list... my biggest worry though is trimming the cover, especially the area around the paddles. I was wondering how you were able to get a neat trim?

 

[Cruiser]

very nice! did you do any cutting on any of the steering components? Can this be done on an 07? The steering tilt controls for '07 might get in the way

---------- Post added at 12:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:43 AM ----------

Hey Pat, tell me if you plow ahead on this one. We could probably do it together on both our rides. lol

 

[ocal21]

Great DIY, well written

 

[la_fx35]

very nice! did you do any cutting on any of the steering components? Can this be done on an 07? The steering tilt controls for '07 might get in the way

---------- Post added at 12:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:43 AM ----------

Hey Pat, tell me if you plow ahead on this one. We could probably do it together on both our rides. lol

Yes, this can be done to any 1st gen. You have to relocate the tilt switch. I move it to the middle on the lower cover.

---------- Post added at 12:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:01 AM ----------

Nice! The next mod on my to do list... my biggest worry though is trimming the cover, especially the area around the paddles. I was wondering how you were able to get a neat trim?

Yeah, the cutting and trimming the cover is very time consuming. I cut up two covers and I think I have master the cutting now

 

[Logan]

Great job Andy, really nicely done documentation. How do you like them?!

 

[la_fx35]

Mann, its so much fun using them. I've been using them everyday since I had them installed on Sunday. I burn thru a tank of gas in no time.

 

[AeroBFA]

Do the paddles work in auto mode too or do you have to put the car in manu-mode, then they will work?

 

[la_fx35]

You have to put it in manual mode. The convenience factor of having it at your finger tip makes me wanted to use it more :smile (2):

 

[Cruiser]

Yes, this can be done to any 1st gen. You have to relocate the tilt switch. I move it to the middle on the lower cover.

---------- Post added at 12:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:01 AM ----------


Yeah, the cutting and trimming the cover is very time consuming. I cut up two covers and I think I have master the cutting now

Gee, thanks. This gets me excited about this mod. My mod list gets longer and longer :eek.:

 

[ocal21]

Wish u lived near Boston I would def try to have you install some paddle shifters for my FX.

 

[Logan]

You have to put it in manual mode. The convenience factor of having it at your finger tip makes me wanted to use it more :smile (2):

One would assume the more power mods you have the more fun they are to shift with.......

 

[mbarb15]

Very detailed write-up, good question tho, can u still use the shifter lever in manual mode or is it now paddle shift only? Not like I would want to after having paddle shifter but does the option exist?

 

[la_fx35]

The paddle will not effect the oem console shifter functionality. You still can shift with the console shifter.

 

[mbarb15]

Kk, good, with the shifter wires being cut, I wasn't sure if the Manu mode on the shifter was being bypassed for the paddle shift