Steering Wheel Removal

[N875ED 98]

After some thought, I developed a procedure for removing the steering wheel that is well controlled and easy on the steering wheel. Follow along:

 

Step 1. Purchase a steering wheel puller from Amazon... cost about $15, and a pair of 5/16" x 2-1/2" lag bolts with washers from HD or Lowe's

Step 2. Drive out the roll pin at the base of the wheel through the shaft with a 3/16" punch (this is the hardest thing to do).

Step 3. Remove the snap-in cover on the top of the wheel. (Probably gone anyway )

Step 4. Using a 1" hole saw, drill into the top center of the wheel and remove the "plug" of material that covers the end of the steel shaft. When you're done, it will look like this (after spraying your favorite penetrating oil into the "well" as shown in the photo.) Let sit for a few days, rotating the steering wheel occasionally so the oil soaks into the entire circumference of the shaft. More oil as needed.

Step 5. Drill two holes into the steering wheel hub, correctly sized for the 5/16" lag bolts to bite into the plastic. After some experimentation on another wheel, I found these two locations (1:00 O'clock and 7:00 O'clock) are the best to prevent drilling into the radial ribs (which are NOT at the same location on the bottom side of the hub)

Step 6. Install the gold puller hub onto the wheel with the lag bolts

Step 7. Thread in the puller's center rod and turn with wrench, as-intended. My wheel removed with some minor complaining (from the wheel, not me)

Step 8. Clean up the center hub I.D. rust with a fine Dremel sanding drum; use sandpaper on the steering shaft.

Step 9. Step back and savor your victory over rusty oxidation.

[peter lena 9,231]

good set up on that, most important is the solid, secure  pulling as opposed to  the typical " bouncing impact " that only adds to the frustration of the attempt. a secure point , will only easily and steadily move to a stronger force. pete 

[balconio 606]

Dude- very recently i gave up on trying to replace my steering bushing because i got stuck on pulling the wheel. the roll pin came out no problem but no amount of yanking/soaking/swearing would budge the wheel even a millimeter. I ended up boxing in the old bushing with some plate steel and welding it to the upper dashboard- job done, it's rock solid but i would have rather installed the new bushing. I might have to try this in a few years when the bushing completely disintegrates... very nice writeup