steering wheel removal

I have a freind with a 1970 roadrunner.
He needs to pull the steering wheel off, to change, The blinker switch.  The book tells us to "POP" the center padded cover off. That it is held on by snap clips.  
Naturally he is worried that we will break the clips offf or worse. Does he really have to pry on his, original, 39 year old steering wheel????
Does the center  1 1/2" plastic cap/roadrunner have to come off first?

Thanks in advance for any help you have in this area.

                           Tom