Steering Wheel Removal
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 321
Likes: 33
From: Florida
Steering Wheel Removal
What is the best way to remove the steering wheel from the shaft?
After installing my new/used steering shaft, I put on the steering wheel and tightened the nut.
I took the truck for a test ride to check out the power steering install and realized I did not get the wheel on so the middle spoke was exactly straight down when steering straight ahead.
Now I want to remove the wheel and it is jammed on really tight. Is there an easy way to release the wheel from the shaft? Is there a special steering wheel puller available for this task or
do I just need to keep beating it from under the wheel? I don't want to break the steering wheel by putting too much force on it from the bottom. Usually when I would remove the wheel it would slide right off.
Any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks,
Bob
After installing my new/used steering shaft, I put on the steering wheel and tightened the nut.
I took the truck for a test ride to check out the power steering install and realized I did not get the wheel on so the middle spoke was exactly straight down when steering straight ahead.
Now I want to remove the wheel and it is jammed on really tight. Is there an easy way to release the wheel from the shaft? Is there a special steering wheel puller available for this task or
do I just need to keep beating it from under the wheel? I don't want to break the steering wheel by putting too much force on it from the bottom. Usually when I would remove the wheel it would slide right off.
Any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks,
Bob
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
They can be a bear to get off sometimes, even if installed 5 minutes before. A universal puller works best, and is safer in terms of not buggering up the wheel. There should be a couple threaded holes for installing a puller.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 25
From: San Mateo, CA
Use a steering wheel puller, but DO NOT REMOVE THE STEERING SHAFT NUT!! Just back the nut off a few turns so there is room for the wheel to move upwards a small amount. If you crank down with the puller right on the steering shaft with the nut removed, you WILL mushroom the shaft and/or damage the shaft threads, and the nut won't go back on. Ask me how I know this...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,872
Likes: 294
From: Central Michigan
Use a steering wheel puller, but DO NOT REMOVE THE STEERING SHAFT NUT!! Just back the nut off a few turns so there is room for the wheel to move upwards a small amount. If you crank down with the puller right on the steering shaft with the nut removed, you WILL mushroom the shaft and/or damage the shaft threads, and the nut won't go back on. Ask me how I know this...
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: West by God Virginia
Just a bit of information, my parts store (Oreillys) will rent you the steering wheel pulller for little to no cost. I will also confirm to leave the nut on the shaft, just back it far enough off the shaft to where you ding the threads on the shaft.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 321
Likes: 33
From: Florida
Thanks guys for the suggestions. I had not thought of messing up the shaft with the puller. I will be careful about that. I will check with Oreillys to see if they have a puller. Auto Zone might have one also.
The wheel usually comes off pretty easy but for some reason it is not behaving. I will let you know how it goes.
Thanks again.
The wheel usually comes off pretty easy but for some reason it is not behaving. I will let you know how it goes.
Thanks again.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 150
From: High Ridge, MO
Man is this good timely advice! This is on my list for tomorrow and I certainly wouldn't have thought to leave the nut on. Thanks for saving me !
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 321
Likes: 33
From: Florida
I thought I would give an update on removing my steering wheel.
I got a steering wheel puller from Auto Zone today. The cost with my military discount and sales tax came to $19.26.
I can keep it or return it for a full refund. You never know when you will need it again and for that price I might just as well keep it.
Since the kit was a returnable one and other people had used it I had to fix the threads on one of the bolts that get threaded into the wheel.
I removed the shaft nut and horn button and then threaded the nut back onto the shaft until it was just flush with the top of the shaft. Then I turned the main pressure bolt
of the tool down to the top of the nut and with the assist of the spring below the wheel and about a half turn of the bolt the wheel popped loose.
The removal of the wheel was very fast and much easier the jerking and pounding the wheel and maybe breaking it.
Thanks again for your suggestions.
I got a steering wheel puller from Auto Zone today. The cost with my military discount and sales tax came to $19.26.
I can keep it or return it for a full refund. You never know when you will need it again and for that price I might just as well keep it.
Since the kit was a returnable one and other people had used it I had to fix the threads on one of the bolts that get threaded into the wheel.
I removed the shaft nut and horn button and then threaded the nut back onto the shaft until it was just flush with the top of the shaft. Then I turned the main pressure bolt
of the tool down to the top of the nut and with the assist of the spring below the wheel and about a half turn of the bolt the wheel popped loose.
The removal of the wheel was very fast and much easier the jerking and pounding the wheel and maybe breaking it.
Thanks again for your suggestions.
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