arsonbear

Hi all,
First time post for a long time lurker and 6 year 4Runner owner. I've searched the archives for this, but haven't found anything, so here goes!

The plastic on my horn pad has started to break down, and I found a place online selling some replacements, so I've got a new one on the way. I pulled the airbag out, but the horn pad is held to the airbag by a bracket which is held in place by a rather integral looking piece. There are 4 nuts that need to be removed, which will free up the piece that would allow the bracket to come loose, thus letting you change out the horn pad. I'm wary of loosening up these nuts, though, as I can't find anything online indicating this is advisable or safe. I even went through the service manual, but it never indicates that the airbag and horn pad can or should be separated. I think I'm going to take the new pad and the old assembly into a dealer to see if they can do it, but wanted to see if anyone here has had any experience with this. You can see the 4 nuts, the plate they hold down, and the bracket that the plate holds down in this picture. Anyone replaced a horn pad? Is it safe to remove those nuts?