I need to remove the steering wheel on my 25 touring, I have the nut off but don't have a puller but it seems I have read you can place another nut on the shaft and smack it with a hammer to loosen the wheel. Anyone ever done this? can't seem to get forum search to work tonight. Thanks, Don
Don,
After a quick google search on the forum for "removing steering wheel" and it would seem that no one has had the problem in the past. That's unusual because most everything asked here has been asked several times before.
Yes, in general your idea of adding a nut to protect the threads (or use a soft hammer) and pulling up on the wheel when striking the shaft may work. A little penetrating fluid may help too.
Another option would be to remove the locking screw in the planetary steering gear box, unscrew the cover and remove the steering wheel, gear box cover and center planetary gear as a unit. Then once out it may be easier to remove the shaft from the steering wheel if needed.
Good luck,
Jim
I'd definitely remove the wheel along with the cover before whacking it with anything.
Sounds like you need to either invest in a wheel-puller or perhaps rent one at a tool-rental store. AutoZone has a "loan-a-tool" program.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/landing/page.jsp?name=loan-a-tool&intcmp=redire ct-loan-a-tool
small gear puller worked well
Don unscrew the cap from the column and the wheel along with the cap should come right off. If you need to remove the wheel itself, take a small piece of oak and tap the shaft through.
I've sprayed a little JB rust penetrant (something like that) down the threads and it comes right off. Give it a try. Let it soak a few minutes, spray again, wait a few more, and then lightly tap from underneath and I bet it'll come right off.
Don, glad to hear you were able to remove your steering wheel.
Since Donald has had success with his small gear puller, I'm going to hijack his thread for a somewhat related issue:
I saw an earlier thread regarding a locking screw on the steering column collar. I didn't remember seeing a locking screw on the collar of my car, so I took a closer look and it looks like there used to be a screw, but the head got broken off. What's worse, shining a light into the screw hole reveals what looks like a broken off drill bit that is now acting as the locking device. Is there any way to get the drill bit out of there without damaging the collar? Would a carbide drill work, or would it just make things worse?
Right now I'm just leaving it alone, but since the gears inside the collar are supposed to be greased occasionally, at some point I'm going to have to get in there.
Mark,
Are you sure it is a drill bit? Some of those have a set screw with a slotted end that may kind of look like a broken drill bit.
If is really is a broken bit I doubt that you can get it out without damaging the part. Maybe grind it out and fill the area with silver braze and re-plate or paint it.
Or, an option would be to drill a small hole that grease could be injected in without removing the cover.
Jim