How do I remove the steering wheel ?
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Houma LA
How do I remove the steering wheel ?
I got my new Grant wheel in today and I'm gonna put it on soon. I need to take the old one off and paint the column first. How do I remove the old wheel? Also, how do I get the covering off the column so I can paint it?
Thanks,
J.thib
Thanks,
J.thib
Melting Slicks
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From: Lake Villa IL
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Re: How do I remove the steering wheel ? (ice pac)
It's easy. You can rent a puller from AutoZone. The directions are right on the tool box. Basically, pull the horn cover. Then there's a center bolt (I'm doing this from memory--if you're going to keep the car, buy a Hayne's manual...it's outlined in there). Hook up the puller, screw it in, wheel comes off.
Le Mans Master
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From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: How do I remove the steering wheel ? (ice pac)
On all C3 Corvettes except the 1976 model, the steering wheel is attached to a hub with six phillips head screws. I don't know how your Grant wheel is designed. If it has its own hub, then you will need a puller to remove the original hub from the column steering shaft. Otherwise it may just attach with the same six screws.
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Joined: Apr 1999
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From: NM
Re: How do I remove the steering wheel ? (joeveto)
It's easy. You can rent a puller from AutoZone.
tom...
[Modified by Tom73, 10:53 PM 5/7/2003]
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From: Westfield Indiana
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Re: How do I remove the steering wheel ? (ice pac)
If I may jump in, but hopefully not hijack the thread, I have a question.
If the steering wheel is out of alignment, can you fix it by pulling the steering wheel and putting it back on centered? Or do you have to pull the pitman arm and turn the wheel the reinstall the pitman arm?
Reason I ask, is I had replaced my steering control valve and hoses and somehow the steering wheel is now slightly turned to the left. I was going to wait until installing Steeroids to fix it but if it's as easy as pulling the steering wheel, I'll fix it now.
If the steering wheel is out of alignment, can you fix it by pulling the steering wheel and putting it back on centered? Or do you have to pull the pitman arm and turn the wheel the reinstall the pitman arm?
Reason I ask, is I had replaced my steering control valve and hoses and somehow the steering wheel is now slightly turned to the left. I was going to wait until installing Steeroids to fix it but if it's as easy as pulling the steering wheel, I'll fix it now.
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Joined: Apr 1999
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From: NM
Re: How do I remove the steering wheel ? (Captain Morgan)
Captain Morgan,
You can adjust the wheel by rotating it in the screw setting but since there is only six screws it will move the wheel 1/6th of a full rotation.
Best bet would be to take it to an alignment shop (need an alignment anyway, right?) and they can center the wheel by adjusting the tie rod sleaves.
tom...
[Modified by Tom73, 11:05 PM 5/7/2003]
You can adjust the wheel by rotating it in the screw setting but since there is only six screws it will move the wheel 1/6th of a full rotation.
Best bet would be to take it to an alignment shop (need an alignment anyway, right?) and they can center the wheel by adjusting the tie rod sleaves.
tom...
[Modified by Tom73, 11:05 PM 5/7/2003]
Le Mans Master
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From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: How do I remove the steering wheel ? (Tom73)
When you replaced your control valve, you did not screw it back on the relay rod so that the distance from the stud to the tie rod connection points were exactly the same as original. (You may have been off by one thread either too far or not far enough.)
To get it back to the same distance;
you can either try readjusting the control valve attachment to the relay rod (which means you have to break the control valve to pitman arm connection) or
you can lengthen one tie rod and shorten the other rod by turning the turnbuckle sleeves on both tie rods. You need to turn them the same direction and exactly the same number of revolutions until your steering wheel is back straight. By turning the sleeves the same amount and the same direction, you will not change your front wheel toe settings.
For a more complete explanation, I wrote a paper on tie rod adjustments. It can be found at http://www.corvettefaq.com in the Steering Section. Download the following:
Adjusting Steering Linkage Tie Rods
Adjusting Steering Linkage Tie Rods Pictures
To get it back to the same distance;
you can either try readjusting the control valve attachment to the relay rod (which means you have to break the control valve to pitman arm connection) or
you can lengthen one tie rod and shorten the other rod by turning the turnbuckle sleeves on both tie rods. You need to turn them the same direction and exactly the same number of revolutions until your steering wheel is back straight. By turning the sleeves the same amount and the same direction, you will not change your front wheel toe settings.
For a more complete explanation, I wrote a paper on tie rod adjustments. It can be found at http://www.corvettefaq.com in the Steering Section. Download the following:
Adjusting Steering Linkage Tie Rods
Adjusting Steering Linkage Tie Rods Pictures
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From: Westfield Indiana
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Re: How do I remove the steering wheel ? (Jim Shea)
Thanks. I probably didn't adjust it close enough as you said. I appreciate the info and I'll check out your paper. I've been reading several lately, I love that site.
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