Do GM dealerships have these in stock for '98 Trans Ams usually, or is something that I'd have to special order? Mine are all jacked up and the paint is faded. I need both of the units with buttons. I couldn't imagine them being expensive, but dealerships... eh.

 

I'd try a junk yard first. The 98 steering wheel controls are slightly different I believe from 99+ and are said to be better quality, they also have finger indents where as the rest don't I believe. I have a 99 T/A but I think it has 98 steering wheel controls because I have the finger indents. Anyways I'm not sure if the dealer would have the "better quality" controls or if they will only have the "cheaper" 99+ controls. I was going to replace one of mine but decided to just replace the bulb instead because they wanted like $200 or some crap for just 1 side.

 

funny you mention that, i also thought the '98 ones looked a little better than the later series. i got an ebony steering wheel for my interior conversion and popped the switches out of that and realized they wouldn't fit the '98 wheel.

maybe i should just repaint them somehow? and they don't light up! argh! no bulbs to be found!

 

Heres an easy write up on changing the light bulbs, just need to get a bulb from radioshack
http://doghouse.2y.net/gtp/steeringcontrols/

I guess you could paint them, seems like a pain in the *** to me and it would bug me if I painted over the letters so the light couldn't come through. I'd stick with junk yards or ebay, its a waiting game though. Someone was selling steering wheel controls on ebay about a week ago but I think they were 99+

 

awesome. thanks for the write up! this'll do until i can find some '98 ones in good shape. atleast i can get them to glow again now!