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Steering wheel removal help

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Old Mar 31, 2019 | 02:10 PM
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Default Steering wheel removal help

I have a 3/8” impact gun. It’s not enough to get the main bolt out. My question is, if i go buy a Dewalt 1/2” cordlessimpact gun with a 3/8 adapter for the torx bit, is this going to be enough to get this thing off or am I just spinning my wheels here? I don’t have have air compressor.

Thank you!
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Old Mar 31, 2019 | 03:17 PM
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I haven’t personally had to remove one but remember reading the loctite on the bolt is the biggest issue. You can try heating it up. If you get a 1/2 cordless get the Milwaukee gun. Way stronger and lighter. It’s Fantastic and I’ve yet to have anything it couldn’t remove.
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Old Mar 31, 2019 | 03:36 PM
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Forego the impact gun. Use a long a$$ breaker bar and quality torx bit. Turn the wheel full left and go to town. Mine required additionally heating up for a few seconds with a propane torch and shielded surroundings with aluminum foil.
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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 10:54 AM
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Hard to know given the output of an unstated gun, but my pneumatic impact backs them out like nothing. Cordless impacts were pretty lame until recently, but some of the current ones are indeed fairly powerful. I'd say time to buy yourself a cordless impact, and if it doesn't do the job, return it as unsatisfactory !
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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 11:36 AM
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Either I'm lucky, or they changed something after 2014. I just did mine yesterday and was able to do it with a 1/2" breaker bar.
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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 11:44 AM
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Don't use an impact gun. Others have stripped the torx bolt doing this. A quality bit and a breaker bar will get the job done. As mentioned above, heat can help.
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Old Apr 6, 2019 | 10:04 AM
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Heat is the answer.
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Old Apr 6, 2019 | 02:03 PM
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No on the Impact Gun

Regards
Chip
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Old Apr 24, 2019 | 08:18 AM
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Originally Posted by pbateman
I have a 3/8” impact gun. It’s not enough to get the main bolt out. My question is, if i go buy a Dewalt 1/2” cordlessimpact gun with a 3/8 adapter for the torx bit, is this going to be enough to get this thing off or am I just spinning my wheels here? I don’t have have air compressor.

Thank you!
The Milwaukee 1/2" lipo impact is perfect for that. The lithium cordless impacts have plenty of removal torque for even larger jobs. I have a good 1/2 pneumatic but I use the cordless impact for most jobs.

The bolt is a large T50 and as long as you hold the gun straight you shouldn't have any problems stripping it. The bolt torque is low but it is slathered in blue Loctite so an impact gun or a decent length breaker is necessary for removal.

GM wants you to replace that bolt everytime it comes off, considering it affixes the only means of directional
control, I would heed that advice.

Last edited by d16dcoe45; Apr 24, 2019 at 08:21 AM.
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