2005 Trailblazer cruise control install

This is more of a mechanical question than an electrical question. I am trying to install cruise control on a 2005 Trailblazer. It seems straightforward enough, but I can't figure out how to get the panel off of my steering column in the first place. There are three holes on the lower portion--but I can't tell what kind of tool I need.

There was a topic about install on a 2004 Trailblazer, but it did not address this question. Seemed to be a simple matter to the posters in that thread.

Any ideas?

Very EASY job...................

Remove Tilt Wheel Lever, by pryng outward with Flat Blade.
Grab or Pry down on Bottom Half of Steering Column Shroud (The piece with the 3 holes in the bottom.  Remove from Column.
There MAY be a Male TORX Screw between Ingnition Switch & Steering Column.  Remove it.  I use a 5/32 Nut Driver.
Remove Top Half of Steering Column Shroud.
Remove 2 Female TORX  screws that hold Turn Signal Lever on.  1 on TOP of Switch & 1 next to Steering Wheel on Left Front of Turn Signal Switch.
Unplug 3 plugs on Switch
Plug in  NEW Cruise / Turn Signal Switch
Mount NEW Switch being careful to insert Brass Horn Point behind ring. 
Plug in 4 pin connector.
Reassemble Shroud & Tilt Lever.
TEST

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MO

Don't Learn from Others Mistakes
You Might Be the One That Knows.

Okay, a couple of questions...

All this "prying"...can you be more specific? How do I pry the tilt wheel lever? And does the lower half of the column shroud just snap off? It didn't seem like it. I'm worried about breaking things.

Thanks for replying. I'm sure this will be easy once I understand everything.

Flatblade under Tilt Lever & pry outward.......It will pop out.
Bottom Shroud has to be pulled back & down to come out of Steering Wheel
Top Shroud MAY or May NOT have 1 Male TORX screw near Ignition Switch & Column...........Check first...........Then same way, Pull back & UP on Shroud to clear Steering wheel
I like to drop the Dash Knee Plate first. 
Remove 2 -7mm screws holding bottom panel above Brake Pedal.  Remove Bottom Panel.
Remove 2 -7mm screws on bottom of Knee Panel & 2 -7mm screws on front.   It is a little easier to get Shroud off

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MO

Don't Learn from Others Mistakes
You Might Be the One That Knows.

Got it done. Took me a while, though...prying everything off without causing any damage is not a simple task. Also, accessing one of the two torx screws required a different ratchet.

Random other question...ever since I installed cruise control, I notice a brief smell when I start the car. I also had some A/C work done (by the dealer) about the same time, which may not be a coincidence. What might this smell be?

Probably  coincidence.............
Does it come thru the Vents or outside

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MO

Don't Learn from Others Mistakes
You Might Be the One That Knows.

If the AC work involved recharging somewhat, then that is probably what you smell. Sometimes the new charge will have a lingering smell to it. This should go away by itself, it did on my car anyway.

The A/C work involved resealing something-or-other to take care of a whistling noise. (It was all under warranty.) One guess is that it has something to do with the sealant. My other guess was that it had something to do with the "goo" that I kept coming across in installing the cruise.

The A/C work was done a week ago Friday...I installed the cruise two days later on Sunday...I noticed the smell for the first time the next day on Monday.

I'm not really a car guy, I just figured I was smart enough to do this cruise control install, and with the help of this forum, I was. So I hope that nothing in the above paragraphs is too ridiculous!!!

Not sure of the goo U are refering to.
When you drop the panel below steering column and shroud around steering column...........that is ALL the wiring and installation you needed to do for the Cruise control.... 
Where was the GOO???

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MO

Don't Learn from Others Mistakes
You Might Be the One That Knows.

If it smells musty, then it's the AC, if it smells like burning electrical , I'd check your connections again. If it smells like a chemical, then I'd say it was the AC again, they use a checmical sealeant to plug any holes in the copper lines for AC lines and this stuff really smells bad ( IMO )

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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA

When the shroud was off, there was a definite greasy/gooey substance on various points of the steering column. It wasn't anything I did or put on, it was just already there when I removed the shroud and panels.

That's a NEW on me...........
Over 100 installs and never ran accross that.
If all you did was Install Handle & Plug in 4 prong plug & Cruise Light on Dash comes ON when Set...........I don't believe there is anything that would cause a smell

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MO

Don't Learn from Others Mistakes
You Might Be the One That Knows.