Steering wheel replacement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: CA
Steering wheel replacement
Got a new steering wheel today...broke the wheel puller trying to get the old one off. Maybe moved the wheel 1/8" before the center bolt snapped. Any ideas...Now I am going back to buy a new puller What can go wrong, will... 
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Did you remove the telescopic column cam and lever first....? The wheel should come off with very little resistance.
Make sure you also put the sleeve on the tip of the puller, or you will strip the inner threads of the shaft.....ask me how I know
Make sure you also put the sleeve on the tip of the puller, or you will strip the inner threads of the shaft.....ask me how I know
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: CA
Originally Posted by Frizlefrak
Make sure you also put the sleeve on the tip of the puller, or you will strip the inner threads of the shaft.....ask me how I know
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
You will have to retap the threads in the shaft, or the locking cam bolt won't go back in. Be careful, and use lots of oil on the tap, or you will do what I did and break the tap off in there.
I wound up having to use a hacksaw to saw off the tip of the shaft and replace it. Not an expensive lesson, but a time consuming and frustrating one.
I now reserve my Heineken drinking for AFTER the job is done.
I wound up having to use a hacksaw to saw off the tip of the shaft and replace it. Not an expensive lesson, but a time consuming and frustrating one.
I now reserve my Heineken drinking for AFTER the job is done.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: CA
Done!!
Just got the new wheel on (whew) ..much more of a PIA than I was expecting....but it turned out great. Anyone else attempting this, per the above info, should pay major respect to the column bolt (inside and out) and use major TLC with the wheel puller. The new puller I bought (after breaking the first one) spread, and split the outside threads this time, and I spent most of the afternoon filing and shaping the end to get the nut back on. I should have put a flat washer under the tip in hindsight. Just try to find a 14MM , 1.75 die on a Saturday....
Think I will need 2 Heinekens for this one.
Think I will need 2 Heinekens for this one.
Last edited by LangstC4; Mar 19, 2005 at 05:56 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Hmmmm-- After reading about your "fun" episode, I`m glad I decided to leave the stock wheel on my `87, & just install a Wheelskins steering wheel cover 
