Help Removing an old steering wheel

[Tanksmydog]

I have an old cable pulley system which I am replacing with a rotary steering setup in the next day or so, the only problem is that the steering wheel is very tough to remove. I have tried a steering wheel puller but no results. Also have tried a hammer and pulling with my knees but again nothing. This is an old steering wheel with a small hole near the shaft that the nut goes over. I dont know what to do next. I am about to cut the shaft with a sawzaw if I cannot remove it by tomorrow. Any help with be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Help Removing an old steering wheel

Well at this point...... cut it. You did not intend on keeping it did you? Use a grinder, a sawsall .....anything it might take. It is probably just stuck.

Have you tried heat? If you do use a propane torch DO NOT SET YOUR boat on FIRE!!!

 

[5150abf]

Re: Help Removing an old steering wheel

Concur, just cut it off, you probably won't be able to save it anyhow and are likely to wreck the console trying to get it off.

 

[Bowser4x4]

Re: Help Removing an old steering wheel

If you can't get a saw to the shaft, try one of the really good penetrating oils {not WD40}...I use the Kano Labs Aerokroil.... expensive but I have had this loosen up stuff that nothing else, including heat had budged.

Otherwise, out with the grinder.

Woof
Bowser

 

[ras_cal1]

Re: Help Removing an old steering wheel

I have an old cable pulley system which I am replacing with a rotary steering setup in the next day or so, the only problem is that the steering wheel is very tough to remove. I have tried a steering wheel puller but no results. Also have tried a hammer and pulling with my knees but again nothing. This is an old steering wheel with a small hole near the shaft that the nut goes over. I dont know what to do next. I am about to cut the shaft with a sawzaw if I cannot remove it by tomorrow. Any help with be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Use copious amounts of penetrating oil and let soak overnite. Then use the steering wheel puller again along WITH tapping on the steering wheel hub with a hammer as you gradually increase the turns on the steering wheel puller. If you can get it off without damage to the shaft, you might can sell the old system on Craig's List for a few bucks to offset the price of the new set-up.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Help Removing an old steering wheel

If you're going to modern steering, just cut the wheel off the shaft with a sawzall. Run an ad to sell the old cable-n-pulley hub on the free classifieds at www.aomci.org if it's still intact...those older steering hubs/drums are getting hard to find.

 

[roger777]

Re: Help Removing an old steering wheel

I have never used a steering wheel puller before so I dont know how it would work compared to a method I learned on one of these forums..1 ball peen hammer and 1 regular hammer..Place ball peen hammer on center of wheel/nut.Place the handle of ball peen hammer under steering wheel.take the other hammer and whack the ball peen hammer while pulling up on ball peen hammer. When you whack the hammer you must hit it pretty solid..It sounds dumb but it has gotten 20+ wheels off for me. Alot of old ones..Usually on first or second swing.. Give it a shot before you cut it...

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Help Removing an old steering wheel

The last recommendation sounds the best, but I'd also like to suggest that if you use a steering wheel puller, insert a hardened socket over the nex end (to protect your puller from mushrooming), then alternate tightening and hammering firmly downward on the hardened socket end of the puller rather than hammering upwards on the steering hub itself. I think you'll find it WILL come off.

This has been the most effective for me, both for steering wheels and flywheels.

Also suggest you may want to leave the steering wheel nut on a few threads so that when it ops free, you don't end up in the aft end of the boat unexpectedly. This way it 'pops' free from the taper but does not come completely off the steering shaft.