Steering Wheel Won't Come Off
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
Steering Wheel Won't Come Off
I bought an alcantara steering wheel from DSV a few weeks ago. I didn't want to screw with swapping the wheels myself because of the airbag so I took it to my local GM dealer. After waiting over an hour the service manager came in and told me they couldn't get my wheel off. I spoke to the tech who said the wheel started to distort (as shown in the pic) before he could get it loose. The tech was afraid he'd damage the steering rack if he kept going and strongly advised that we give up. I took his advice and walked away empty handed.
So guys, has anyone ever NOT been able to get their steering wheel off? Are there any secrets that help break it loose? I've been told that hitting the wheel pretty hard with your hand at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions helps jar it loose. Any advice guys?
So guys, has anyone ever NOT been able to get their steering wheel off? Are there any secrets that help break it loose? I've been told that hitting the wheel pretty hard with your hand at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions helps jar it loose. Any advice guys?
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Columbus IN
I bought an alcantara steering wheel from DSV a few weeks ago. I didn't want to screw with swapping the wheels myself because of the airbag so I took it to my local GM dealer. After waiting over an hour the service manager came in and told me they couldn't get my wheel off. I spoke to the tech who said the wheel started to distort (as shown in the pic) before he could get it loose. The tech was afraid he'd damage the steering rack if he kept going and strongly advised that we give up. I took his advice and walked away empty handed.
So guys, has anyone ever NOT been able to get their steering wheel off? Are there any secrets that help break it loose? I've been told that hitting the wheel pretty hard with your hand at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions helps jar it loose. Any advice guys?
So guys, has anyone ever NOT been able to get their steering wheel off? Are there any secrets that help break it loose? I've been told that hitting the wheel pretty hard with your hand at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions helps jar it loose. Any advice guys?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,367
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
First of all, the steering wheel isn't directly attached to the rack. There's about 30" of steering column in between....
What kind of puller were they using? I pulled the wheel off my car about 5-6 years ago, and used the puller that has two "J-hooks" which hook into the open slots in the center hub.
What kind of puller were they using? I pulled the wheel off my car about 5-6 years ago, and used the puller that has two "J-hooks" which hook into the open slots in the center hub.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
First of all, the steering wheel isn't directly attached to the rack. There's about 30" of steering column in between....
What kind of puller were they using? I pulled the wheel off my car about 5-6 years ago, and used the puller that has two "J-hooks" which hook into the open slots in the center hub.
What kind of puller were they using? I pulled the wheel off my car about 5-6 years ago, and used the puller that has two "J-hooks" which hook into the open slots in the center hub.
I know I'm not giving any specifics but oh well, when he showed me that he got it off I was too happy to ask a lot of questions. Bottom line, I think it's pretty sad that a GM dealer gave up on removing an OEM part.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Anytime that I need to press on or pull off a press fit/interference fit joint, I heat up the part of the joint that slips over the splines or snout.
It doesn’t take a lot of heat. You can use a heat gun and or a propane torch. Just slowly heat it up to approx. 150 deg and it usually pops off a LOT easier and with a LOT less force.
This procedure works really well for the Harmonic DAMPENER.
Bill
It doesn’t take a lot of heat. You can use a heat gun and or a propane torch. Just slowly heat it up to approx. 150 deg and it usually pops off a LOT easier and with a LOT less force.
This procedure works really well for the Harmonic DAMPENER.
Bill
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 178
Likes: 9
From: Tempe Arizona
They were using a puller with the J-hooks. I took it to another guy I know last weekend and he got the wheel off with much trouble. His diagnosis was that the tech at the dealer didn't know what he was doing and tried taking it off the wrong way.
I know I'm not giving any specifics but oh well, when he showed me that he got it off I was too happy to ask a lot of questions. Bottom line, I think it's pretty sad that a GM dealer gave up on removing an OEM part.
I know I'm not giving any specifics but oh well, when he showed me that he got it off I was too happy to ask a lot of questions. Bottom line, I think it's pretty sad that a GM dealer gave up on removing an OEM part.
