Steering Wheel Removal Options?
Thread Starter
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,037
Likes: 88
From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
Steering Wheel Removal Options?
I spend about 5 hours today thinking this would be a 15 minute job and one that I probably would not even need the special puller. NOT SO.
I got a new steering wheel and installed it a few days ago. I noticed a few things I was not happy with at all and the place that did the work has agreed to recover it, no problem. I just need to send them the wheel back.
So today I went to take off the wheel which has only been on about a week now and no go. I broke the J hooks in 2 kits bought at Oreillys and made some custom J Hooks out of 2 old wrenches. I broke those as well. I can't for the life of me understand why this thing is on so tight. I have checked the threads and about 1/16-1/8" are showing, so the wheel is slightly off. But that is it....it won't budge anymore from that point at all. I need some alternative options.
I tried pulling with all my might with the puller and 2nd set of homemade hooks. I also tried smacking it with a mallet...no luck there either.
Car is a 2002
Thanks
I got a new steering wheel and installed it a few days ago. I noticed a few things I was not happy with at all and the place that did the work has agreed to recover it, no problem. I just need to send them the wheel back.
So today I went to take off the wheel which has only been on about a week now and no go. I broke the J hooks in 2 kits bought at Oreillys and made some custom J Hooks out of 2 old wrenches. I broke those as well. I can't for the life of me understand why this thing is on so tight. I have checked the threads and about 1/16-1/8" are showing, so the wheel is slightly off. But that is it....it won't budge anymore from that point at all. I need some alternative options.
I tried pulling with all my might with the puller and 2nd set of homemade hooks. I also tried smacking it with a mallet...no luck there either.
Car is a 2002
Thanks
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
If I'm not mistaken I believe those are splines, not threads, holding it in place...so it sounds like you are not applying force straight up...starting over might do it for you. A;sp, add some lube, but be sure to remove it when re-installing the wheel
Thread Starter
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,037
Likes: 88
From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
Iam applying force straight and keeping the puller straight too. I broke another set of legs. That makes 4 sets now. I have tried a heat gun. No go with that either. Iam getting really frustrated at this point. I called two gm dealerships. One said $90.00 the other said between $90 and $515.00 depending how many hours they need to place on it. I seriously need help.
Up to about 9 hours now working on it with nothing...broke another set of custom made legs out of wrenches.
Up to about 9 hours now working on it with nothing...broke another set of custom made legs out of wrenches.
Last edited by XtremeVette; May 2, 2011 at 10:30 PM.
Thread Starter
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,037
Likes: 88
From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
sucess!!!!!!
Well after 3 days, 2 sets of autopart store J Hooks, 4 sets of custom made J hooks out of Chromoly hardened steel, use of a heatgun, PB blast, a different style top to my wheel puller (to center it better on the driveshaft) 9 hours total labor...and of course thanks to GOD for lending his finger to help push....the wheel is off!!!!!! No damage to the splines on the wheel or the shaft. It was just on really really good!
Thanks for the help everybody!
Thanks for the help everybody!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
Sometimes STOCK is BETTER
Well after 3 days, 2 sets of autopart store J Hooks, 4 sets of custom made J hooks out of Chromoly hardened steel, use of a heatgun, PB blast, a different style top to my wheel puller (to center it better on the driveshaft) 9 hours total labor...and of course thanks to GOD for lending his finger to help push....the wheel is off!!!!!! No damage to the splines on the wheel or the shaft. It was just on really really good!
Thanks for the help everybody!
Thanks for the help everybody!
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Thread Starter
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,037
Likes: 88
From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
