Steering wheel removal help
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 147
Likes: 45
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!
Thank you!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,338
Likes: 482
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.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 79
From: NYC
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,729
Likes: 1,508
From: Redmond WA
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 !
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,851
Likes: 470
From: Manassas VA
No on the Impact Gun
Regards
Chip
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2019
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From: Armonk, NY
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!
Thank you!
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.