Remove Steering Wheel

Topic: Remove Steering Wheel (Read 1376 times) previous topic - next topic

Remove Steering Wheel

May 31, 2009, 12:19:34 AM

Anybody know how to remove the steering wheel on my 85 bird? I took off the horn cover, and this other metal thing. Removed the big nut... but no idea where to go from here. Honestly, I figured it would pull off but it didnt. I do not want to break anything.

Thanks.

Remove Steering Wheel

Reply #1 – May 31, 2009, 01:13:54 AM

Quote from: 85bird;275181

Anybody know how to remove the steering wheel on my 85 bird? I took off the horn cover, and this other metal thing. Removed the big nut... but no idea where to go from here. Honestly, I figured it would pull off but it didnt. I do not want to break anything.

Thanks.

You need a steering wheel puller. You can either rent one or buy it at any local auto parts store.

The puller has a large screw bolt in the center of a fixture which has slots on the ends to attach two smaller bolts to the two smaller holes on each side of the steering wheel nut. Once it is in place, you screw down the large center screw bolt and it pulls the wheel off the shaft.

Remove Steering Wheel

Reply #2 – May 31, 2009, 02:11:51 AM

Do not try the "stick the nut back on part way and smack it with a hammer while someone else pulls back on the wheel" method. I've replaced a steering column over that one.

Remove Steering Wheel

Reply #3 – May 31, 2009, 04:04:14 AM

Quote from: Ifixyawata;275192

Do not try the "stick the nut back on part way and smack it with a hammer while someone else pulls back on the wheel" method. I've replaced a steering column over that one.

Thats what I was going to recommend, Always worked for me except once. but the puller didn't work either it pulled the threads out of the holes. I don't beat the out of it, if it don't go with a couple of shots, I go to the puller then.

Remove Steering Wheel

Reply #4 – May 31, 2009, 06:21:36 AM

I have had it work for me since then, but I still wouldn't reccomend it. It only takes once to ruin it.

Remove Steering Wheel

Reply #5 – May 31, 2009, 10:16:16 AM

You can put both feet on the floor,pull real hard and rock the wheel side too side.
Works on all the new cars i've tried.

Remove Steering Wheel

Reply #6 – May 31, 2009, 10:45:44 AM

I just pull on it. Being nearly 300lbs last time I pulled one, I never had much trouble :hick:. I've lost some weight since then, but I bet I could still rock it and pull it off there pretty easily.

The right way would be to use a puller though.

CoogarXR

Remove Steering Wheel

Reply #7 – May 31, 2009, 11:03:06 AM

If you're going to try brute force pulling, make sure you leave the nut on a few threads. Otherwise you'll be eating that wheel if it comes off :hick:

But yeah, a steering wheel puller is the way to go...

Remove Steering Wheel

Reply #8 – May 31, 2009, 04:06:18 PM

dad is going through the same thing with his chevy truck. (he lost the keys) so know we are putting in a new lock cylinder. Stupid chevy! have to take the steering wheel off to do it. Its $15 to rent the puller from Autozone here in NC

Remove Steering Wheel

Reply #9 – May 31, 2009, 04:29:08 PM

Quote from: Thunder Chicken;275227

If you're going to try brute force pulling, make sure you leave the nut on a few threads. Otherwise you'll be eating that wheel if it comes off :hick:

But yeah, a steering wheel puller is the way to go...

I admit, I clocked myself in the forehead with the wheel when I was 18.

Remove Steering Wheel

Reply #10 – May 31, 2009, 09:04:19 PM

I bought a craftsman steering/balancer puller for $20. Worth the money.

Remove Steering Wheel

Reply #11 – June 01, 2009, 12:57:46 AM

Ha, ha, ha... great advice everybody. Might just go with the puller cuz I have shiznitty luck. I would most likely ruin the steering column AND break my nose.

:)

KB

Remove Steering Wheel

Reply #12 – June 01, 2009, 05:34:52 AM

Haha, sounds like a plan.

I've pulled 2 87-88 TC steering wheels and an 83 heritage style wheel off the brute force way.
Granted they were all from the junkyard, and the steering column damage wasnt of too much concern.

My method (Redneck Method?):
Carefully pry the horn button with a flathead screwdriver~
Grab a a LARGE crescent wrench (Because i dont carry large socket sets with me to they yard most of the time) and loosen the retainer bolt, while being careful to not gauge the steering wheel or anything with the huge crescent~
Jump in the drivers seat, get your guns out and wrestle that sucker back and forth>side to side>kind of twisting it like your steering super hard until it pops loose (And hopefully not in your face).