Do I have to remove the steering wheel to replace the blinker light switch?

 

Found on page 8L-119 in the service manual. Service manual says yes.
MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH
REMOVAL
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM
BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG, PASSENGER AIRBAG,
FRONT IMPACT SENSOR, SIDE IMPACT SENSOR, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL
COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND)
CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING
FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL
AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the steering wheel. (Refer to 19 - STEERING/
COLUMN/STEERING WHEEL - REMOVAL).
3. Remove the clockspring. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING - REMOVAL).
4. Remove the lower instrument panel. (Refer to 23 -
BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/INSTRUMENT
PANEL ASSEMBLY - REMOVAL).
5. Remove the screw (1) attaching the speed control
switch to the multifunction switch.
6. Remove the bracket below the speed control
switch.
7. Remove the screws (2) attaching the multifunction
switch to the steering column.
8. Disconnect the multifunction switch harness connectors.
9. Remove the wire harness from the steering column.
10. Remove the multifunction switch from the steering column.