Trying to get the wheel off my 92 f350. Tried several standard and metric bolts on the two screw holes above and below the center. Can't seem to find a match. Does anyone know what the threads are?

 

I pulled the pad off my 97 and discovered it doesn't even have the threaded holes. Do you just pull the column and throw it away when the bearing goes out?

 

I suppose you could if you wanted to. But if you want to get the steering wheel off, start by removing that bolt in the center of it. Then "just" pull it off.

The fun comes in the "just" part. You'll need some sort of puller. Some wheels have threaded holes you can run bolts into to pull against. Your's looks like mine, where there are probably a couple of slits under the raised areas on the top and bottom of the metal center section. You need a puller that will grab those and push against the center bolt (that you put back in all but a few turns).

 

Ha Ha. Yes I agree. I tried a couple different pullers; the plastic gets in the way. I even used bailing wire tied around the frame. No luck yet. I'm going to drive over to the bolt place tomorrow and see if I can match the threads. No tap in my tap set matched. M8 was close, but the pitch was off.

 

first take the center bolt out. some use a puller, some don't. i bought a special $75 steering wheel puller that i was told i needed to change the wheel on the 2011 and newer trucks, only to find out it is not needed. remove the bolt, and pull the steering wheel off by hand.
push the new wheel on, and tighten the bolt up.

 

Thanks but it doesn't come off by hand, I tried that.

 

try loosening the bolt half way. with knees behind the wheel pushing on it, whack the head of the bolt with a dead blow hammer.
that should pop the wheel loose.

 

Nope. Tried it.

 

I needed to use a puller on mine, but I didn't get a $70 one. I bought a fairly cheap 2 jaw bearing puller several decades ago. It never works well, but it usually works. That was the case this time too. I did a 15 seconf Google search and didn't find one quite like mine, but there ought to be some sort of "universal" puller that can do the job.

Or try out your local NAPA / O'Reilly / AutoZone. You might e able to borrow or rent one.

 

Back the bolt out halfway. Grab each side with one of your hands and yank it left to right as HARD as possible.. It will come off. Do NOT remove the bolt if you use this method because you WILL break your nose. Ask how I know.

 

I started doing that and decided that I didn't want to break anything else in the column (I was just trying to get a wheel with torn leather off so I could install a replacement). Maybe it would've come off without breaking anything. But I'm glad I switch to the puller.

 

what ever you do do not use an impact to put it together i did that on my 69 and it srewed it up big time, a little patience goes a long ways