Steering wheel will not come off shaft!

[jeffconnell12]

Hi guys,

I have a 75 starcraft holiday and I am attempting to upgrade the broken steering wheel.

It is a very old cable system (that works well) where the entire steering shaft comes out. I've removed the shaft and cannot get the wheel off.

I've now unfortunately damaged the threads on the shaft and am unable to locate a replacement part.

Is there any other trick to removing the wheel.. i've tried jaw pullers, hammers etc.

I see my two options are i eventually remove the old wheel, install a new one and have the end of the shaft re-threaded.. or i try and replace the shaft or entire system altogether.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[GA_Boater]

Too bad you didn't ask before messing up the threads.

Here is how you should have done the deed;

Take off the nut.
Soak the shaft/wheel joint with PB Blaster or you favorite rusty nut solvent.
Put the nut back on with just a small gap between the nut and wheel. You missed this part and boogered up the threads.
Slide the shaft into a hunk of pipe longer than the shaft, probably about a 1" pipe.
Rest the pipe on something solid.
Give one or two sharp raps on the nut with a BFH until the nut is against the wheel.
All done and works every time.​

The pipe part can be skipped by not tearing the steering rack apart and wedging your knees under the bottom of the wheel and pulling on the top while using the BFH.

Re-threading the shaft might be hard to do since it's mushroomed. Right now I think a new rack in is your future. Get a kit which includes a new steering cable and your steering will be good for another 44 years.

​

 

[jeffconnell12]

no doubt!

Got me at a stubborn time - however after a few knocks on the bolt i put the nut on then hammered it which was what stripped the threads.

I am thinking i could just put the new wheel on once i remove this one then spot weld it in a few spots instead of securing it with the nut.

That should work until i decide to go with a new system.

 

[kenny nunez]

Get a 3/16” drill bit and drill around the core and the plastic of the remainder of the wheel. After the plastic is removed lay the core part on a vise or anvil then hit it with a hammer while rotating the shaft, or if you have a torch, either way will loosen the core.