I know this sounds like a easy question and I thought it would be a easy job. I hope someone else has come across this. I have a 97 F250 (bronco body style) 7.3L w/out air bags, and I'm trying to pull my steering wheel. So my problem is that the steering wheel does not have the typical holes to thread my puller in like all the others. Is there a special tool out there? Ive already tried to pull really had, and no such luck. Should i just drill and tap some threads into the wheel? Thanks for your help

 

There are no holes at all?

Could you please get us a picture of it?

because its pressed on, you simply wont be able to pull it off unfortunately.
Sometimes, very rarely, you can use your legs to pull it off, but I dont' suggest trying this.

If you drill though to far, you could damage the ring behind the wheel.

However, a 97 bronco should have an air bag, are you sure its the original wheel?

Oh. I read it like you have a bronco. my bad.

Midnight Mods: Steering Wheel Swap/Mod

Look at the picture from my 94 in the article from my web site and see if your wheel is like that.

 

I had the same issue. I got a small two arm puller. Reversed the arms so it grabbed on the inside of the wheel above and below the steering shaft. It's a little tricky but works fine.

And welcome to the forum!

 

Weird, they changed the column in 97 then?

 

Start the nut back on the steering shaft. place your knees at the 5 & 7 o'clock position. Place left hand at 12 o'clock position. While exerting an upward force at these three points of the steering wheel, hit the end of the steering shaft with a blunt air chisel. The wheel will come right off.

 

Ill have to give the leg press a try this weekend and if that doesn't work ill go with the two jaw puller , unfortunately the truck is at my moms place so it will take me a a few days before i can let you know how it turns out. Thanks for your advice. I know its crazy that it doesn't have any holes. I'll also take a picture so you guys know im not full of it.

 

Yes its looks the same as your wheel in the picture Talyn

 

All you really need to do , is loosen the nut 3/4 of the way off, grab the wheel at 9 & 3 . rock it from side to side while pulling (real hard). The nut being on it will keep you from flying through the back window (or hitting yourself in the face ) ...

 

You speak from experience Rick? I know I've sure never pulled that little stunt before...

 

This approach works also, but I have destroyed a few sets of upper steering column bearings & a few clocksprings with this technique.

 

Yes , I did hit myself in the nose once ....

Never destroyed anything though,(30 + years ), the columns aren't made out of marshmallows...Just wiggle it ....

tbone heller , ,,,,,,,A few ?..................

 

Doh, double post ....

 

Yes. In 27 years as a Ford service tech., I have destroyed, worked on, & fixed lots of stuff.

 

So I finally got the wheel off the other day... I ended up taking off the big center bolt then putting my hands at 3 and 9 o'clock and wobbling back and forth, then switching to 12 and 6 and trying there and the wheel popped off. Thanks for all your help and suggestions

 

What did you take the wheel off for. Just curious. I hope it wasn't because some lazy alignment tech said that's how you straighten the steering wheel after he set the toe on it.