Must thank and commend you for your efforts and tenacity in approaching this repair. The parts in the third pic from the CrownVic.net forum look foreign (cannot associate them with anything that I am seeing from a visual inspection) to me. Maybe they are from underneath the switch covers. I was attempting to remove the entire switch assembly, including the ear-shaped housings, from the steering wheel, which may be why I wasn't able to get them out on the first attempt with only having the airbag removed. I now have access to the factory service manual for this particular model year. The first step listed for Speed Control Actuator Switch removal (vol. 1, 310-03-30) is to remove the steering wheel. BUT........ the fourth step (after removal of the steering wheel cover screws, disconnecting electrical connector and wiring harness from cover, removing said cover) is to push the switches out toward the face of the steering wheel. I believe that I have enough clearance from the front, with the airbag removed, to get my finger around the backside and push them out. We shall see. Going out for a second attempt.