remove steering wheel

[lazersnake]

Help! I need to remove my steering wheel to install my tach. It's a 1978 fiberglass boat. I don't know what type of steering system other than it's not a pulley\cable system. One thick hose going to the motor with a single sliding shaft moving the motor.

I've popped off the wheel cover to expose the nut. Removed the nut and when I pulled on the wheel I can feel it pull on the shaft right thru the steering box under the dash. I've attached some pics. Worth a thousand words...

Is the wheel pressed on or do I have to pull the pin on the back of the shaft under the dash and pull out the whole center shaft to remove the wheel?

Suggestions...?

Jack

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: remove steering wheel

You have a teleflex steering system. You don't have to do anything with this to remove the steering wheel. Most are a tapered shaft, some with a keyway.
Loosen the nut but don't remove it all the way. While pulling up hard on the steering wheel, have someone hit the nut with a hammer. Putting something on top of the nut, like a large socket, will prevent damaging the nut. A couple of good wacks should free it up.

 

[lazersnake]

Re: remove steering wheel

Jeep Man you ARE the man!

Worked like a charm.

I had to move the bilge pump toggle and light as well as the running light switch to make room for the tach. Since I have to move them now, I'm thinking about replacing them with something still as retro as the original but nicer.

Any more suggestions for old school switches?

Thx again,

Jack