Remove steering wheel?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 29
Likes: 2
Remove steering wheel?
Some advice please. I am in the process of changing steering wheels to a "D" shaped wheel. The air bag has been removed along with all electrical connections. The T-50 center bolt will not budge. I have used both an electric and air driven impact wrench, long handle breaker bar, nothing seems to let it break free. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,515
Likes: 1,301
From: Windermere FL
Not budging with an air impact? You sure you got it set to lefty loosey?
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-swap-diy.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-swap-diy.html
Last edited by Flame Red; Dec 1, 2015 at 10:54 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11,825
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From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
perhaps a penetrant soak over night will help. If an air ratchet won't get it, you might have to drill it out...just curious , you are turning counter clockwise to loosen?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 29
Likes: 2
Yes we had someone holding the wheel. Still wouldn't budge.
Dealer suggests heating the bolt to melt the Locktight that seems to be holding firm.
Anyone try this? Just worried about all the wires around the bolt and the clock spring. I can use a mini torch to heat the center of the bolt and cover the wires. ???
Dealer suggests heating the bolt to melt the Locktight that seems to be holding firm.
Anyone try this? Just worried about all the wires around the bolt and the clock spring. I can use a mini torch to heat the center of the bolt and cover the wires. ???
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E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,937
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From: NE South Carolina
When I removed the oil drain plug for the first time on my C7, I had to use my 1/2 inch breaker bar! It appeared to have blue Loctite, which is somewhat surprising as that it the first time I have seen Loctite used on a pan oil drain plug.
Last edited by JerryU; Dec 1, 2015 at 11:54 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 29
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If I have no luck with a little heat, it will have to go to the dealer. Like you said "If something is going to break let the dealer break it". Good advice.
I haven't started the car since the air bag was removed and all the electrical connections inside the wheel were disconnected. Can the car still be driven with all electrical connections in the wheel disconnected ? (someone said it will be in "limp" mode, is that correct ?)
I haven't started the car since the air bag was removed and all the electrical connections inside the wheel were disconnected. Can the car still be driven with all electrical connections in the wheel disconnected ? (someone said it will be in "limp" mode, is that correct ?)
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
Just reconnect the modules, they pop out, I drove that way for a week. I even reconnected the airbag without the trim piece.
Last edited by Glen e; Dec 1, 2015 at 12:18 PM.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: NE South Carolina
This is like bench racing, it's fun even if not useful!
Last edited by JerryU; Dec 1, 2015 at 12:45 PM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 568
Likes: 109
From: South Carolina
Yes we had someone holding the wheel. Still wouldn't budge.
Dealer suggests heating the bolt to melt the Locktight that seems to be holding firm.
Anyone try this? Just worried about all the wires around the bolt and the clock spring. I can use a mini torch to heat the center of the bolt and cover the wires. ???
Dealer suggests heating the bolt to melt the Locktight that seems to be holding firm.
Anyone try this? Just worried about all the wires around the bolt and the clock spring. I can use a mini torch to heat the center of the bolt and cover the wires. ???
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,084
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From: New Bedford MA
We had the same problem with shortimer's 2014. It finally started to budge using the impact wrench but only after nearly stripping the Torx head. Do try using heat as we found that the Loctite was what was causing the problem. When I put it back after cleaning off the dry Loctite and applying new Loctite it went back using just my fingers. And you do need to have some hold the wheel. We did not have this problem with his C6 because they used a large nut instead of a Torx bolt.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 568
Likes: 109
From: South Carolina
sorry my bad use to the C6 heating the bolt will expand the bolt and possible make it tighter ?? sorry i know it frustrating when you think a 5min job turns into a Obama plan
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 29
Likes: 2
Yea, I know a 5 Min job turns into a nightmare. I have been wrenching on cars for the past 40 some years (all Mid Year Corvettes and a few street rods) So running into problems is not new to me, however this one is frustrating (I guess I am just getting too old and cranky for this stuff). Give me a big hammer and a torch and I am good to go.
This one needs a little finesse.
Again thanks to all who responded to my call for help.
This one needs a little finesse.
Again thanks to all who responded to my call for help.