steering wheel removal by hand
#1
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Car: 1988 camaro base coupe
Engine: 305 LO3
Transmission: gm 700-r4
steering wheel removal by hand
Dont say buy a puller because i have one, but the holes on the wheel are stripped. I have had this wheel off twice before so it shouldnt be on there to tight. Tell me the proper "technique" of yanking the wheel off. thanks
#3
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Re: steering wheel removal by hand
I can just picture you yanking on it and when it finally lets go, you whack yourself in the face with it.
How about drilling and tapping the stripped holes to the next larger size and then use a puller?
How about drilling and tapping the stripped holes to the next larger size and then use a puller?
#5
Re: steering wheel removal by hand
If it has been off a couple of times then it should come fairly easy. Take the center nut off, and smack it from underneath with both hands (one on each side) to work it off. Used to do that for all my wheels when I was younger, then I finally got a puller. Or you can get a helper, put the nut back on and have one person pull on the wheel while you smack the nut with a hammer.
Last edited by Daves82; 04-13-2013 at 11:55 AM.
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Car: 1989 firebird formula
Engine: 350
Re: steering wheel removal by hand
Good luck to you I would tap the holes to a larger size I just put a different steering wheel in my 89 bird and I had the original one off a month ago and I had to use an impact on my puller to get it to come off.
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Car: 1985 firebird se
Engine: 305
Transmission: auto
Re: steering wheel removal by hand
Take the center nut off then put it back on a few turns and that way when breaks free it won't hit you in the face.
#9
Re: steering wheel removal by hand
That is a pressed fit. You can pull it off a hundred times and it still will not pull by yanking on it. I'm gonna have to go with tapping it to a larger thread as well with this.
#10
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Re: steering wheel removal by hand
But 3 4" threaded bolts a size larger then the stripped ones and carefully twist them in. If you have a puller like you said, then insert the 3 botls in through the puller holes and that works just fine. Use 1/4 twist and should pop off.
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Car: '89 RS, '89 Iroc
Engine: L03, LB9
Transmission: 700r4, T5
Axle/Gears: 2.73, 3.08
Re: steering wheel removal by hand
why does everyone say you cant pull a steering wheel by hand, or you cant do it without wacking your face
ive pulled many steering wheels on many cars, mostly thirdgens, never once used a puller, never once hit myself,
the only tools i have for the steering wheel area, are a lock plate remover and a pivot pin puller
tip on pulling the wheel, grab wheel at 10 and 5, or 9 and 4, pull one side at a time, kinda like a rocking motion, back and forth alternating pulls, it will work itself off and no tools were needed
its even easier with two people each grab a side and alternate pulls
ive pulled many steering wheels on many cars, mostly thirdgens, never once used a puller, never once hit myself,
the only tools i have for the steering wheel area, are a lock plate remover and a pivot pin puller
tip on pulling the wheel, grab wheel at 10 and 5, or 9 and 4, pull one side at a time, kinda like a rocking motion, back and forth alternating pulls, it will work itself off and no tools were needed
its even easier with two people each grab a side and alternate pulls
#12
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Re: steering wheel removal by hand
why does everyone say you cant pull a steering wheel by hand, or you cant do it without wacking your face
ive pulled many steering wheels on many cars, mostly thirdgens, never once used a puller, never once hit myself,
the only tools i have for the steering wheel area, are a lock plate remover and a pivot pin puller
tip on pulling the wheel, grab wheel at 10 and 5, or 9 and 4, pull one side at a time, kinda like a rocking motion, back and forth alternating pulls, it will work itself off and no tools were needed
its even easier with two people each grab a side and alternate pulls
ive pulled many steering wheels on many cars, mostly thirdgens, never once used a puller, never once hit myself,
the only tools i have for the steering wheel area, are a lock plate remover and a pivot pin puller
tip on pulling the wheel, grab wheel at 10 and 5, or 9 and 4, pull one side at a time, kinda like a rocking motion, back and forth alternating pulls, it will work itself off and no tools were needed
its even easier with two people each grab a side and alternate pulls
I agree, I've never used a puller either. When I had my 85 camaro I remember the wheel came off extremely easily.
#13
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Re: steering wheel removal by hand
I would rather use a puller. There is much less chance of getting hurt, breaking the column, or bending the wheel. If the screws are stripped tap em, as was already mentioned. I could probably jack up my car and work under it without supporting it on jack stands, but why take the chance?
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Car: 1989 Iroc-Z Camaro
Engine: TBI,5.0
Transmission: Automatic 700R4
Axle/Gears: Eaton Posi,3.42,LPW Ultimate Cover
Re: steering wheel removal by hand
My column is 24 years old and I would never use anything other than a puller. Especially since I have all ready replaced it twice. Once when I first bought the car and again when the" new to me" column started to wobble. Harbor Freight sells a tap and die kit for $16.00 bucks.
Link = http://www.harborfreight.com/40-piec...set-39391.html
Link = http://www.harborfreight.com/40-piec...set-39391.html
Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; 06-07-2013 at 06:33 PM.
#15
Re: steering wheel removal by hand
Shortcuts usually cost more money, time, and aggravation than necessary.You can rent a puller for free from Auto Zone, WITH the right fine threded bolts to use on a wheel. (probably why it got stripped in the first place, using the wrong thread bolts) You may be able to get a wheel off without a puller, but putting undue stress on parts of the column. This is how the bolts loosen on tilt columns, usually a heavy set or less mobile person pulling themselves in and out of the car by the wheel. This stretches the bolts each time and will loosen them up after many cycles.
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Car: '89 RS, '89 Iroc
Engine: L03, LB9
Transmission: 700r4, T5
Axle/Gears: 2.73, 3.08
Re: steering wheel removal by hand
It's only ever taken me 4-6 pulls to get a wheel off, I never yank or use excessive force,
I say give it a shot, try pulling on it, if it pops off, great, if you can't get it go rent a puller or buy one
To solve the op's issue, if he can't pull it off without hurting anything connected to the wheel, then yes tap the holes to the next size and use the puller again
I say give it a shot, try pulling on it, if it pops off, great, if you can't get it go rent a puller or buy one
To solve the op's issue, if he can't pull it off without hurting anything connected to the wheel, then yes tap the holes to the next size and use the puller again
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