1997 f350 xlt auto. Picked up a used nicer steering wheel for my truck since there is absolutely no leather left on my stock one. Did some reading and couldn't find a good write up on how to remove the wheel? I'm assuming disconnect both battery's, then lossen the inner nut and wiggle till its pops off? Should I worry about the clock spring or ujoints? Thanks Kyle

 

Pm me your email address and I can send you a PDF instruction sheet.

 

send to me too please

 

you do not HAVE TO disconnect the batteries, but it is not a bad idea.
unscrew the two screws on the back of the wheel holding the pad on.
remove the nut. then using a 2 jaw puller, put the jaws in the indents on the back of the wheel at 12 and 6 oclock positions, and remove the wheel.
some people have luck loosening the nut until it is flush with the end of the threads, and pressing their knees to the wheel and then whacking the nut with a hammer, but i do not believe in that method.

 

Thanks for the reply where are the screws holding the top pad on I don't see them? Also could the airbag go off without the battery's disconnected or do these trucks not have airbags?

 

behind the wheel, on the dash side. you really can't see them, you have to feel for them.
not sure on air bag in 97. does the pad say air bag on it?
and if there is no power to the truck, the air bag can not deploy.

 

I only found these but I don't see how these would remove the top cover on the wheel side?

 

 

Grab the horn pad and pull. Pops off real easy.
I would go the puller route.
These things are quite anemic already, don't need to go bashing it with a hammer.
No air bags on 250/350 til the SD'S.

 

No air bags on the 97 f350/f250 HD. No screws that hold the center pad on, just 2 clips. To remove center pad, carefully pull the center pad out towards you while sitting in drivers seat. You can get your finger in between the pad and the column cover, just in front of the hazard switch. It will pop out of the clips, then there are 2 wires for the horn that need to be unclipped, and the pad will be free.

 

Thanks yea was looking at the new wheel and the old one and looked like it's just clipped on. As far as pulling the wheel off. Should I just use arm strength and wiggle back and forth?

 

Be sure and leave the nut partially screwed on. If that wheel lets go while you're tugging on it, it could end up smacking you in the mouth!

 

Mine must be different.
Mine has a bolt to hold the wheel on.

 

Got it off went out and bought a cheap puller and came right off the bolt was a little loose almost looked like the bolt was cross threaded?

 

My 96 & 97 both have a nut. My 76 has a nut too for that matter.