Why won't my steering wheel come off?

[cubby911T]

Help! I'm trying to remove my aftermarket LeCarra steering wheel (unknown model #, some PO installed it) so I can replace my turn signal assembly. I removed the 27mm retaining nut (shown still "on" in the pic below), and according to both Haynes & Clymer manuals, that should be the only thing holding the wheel on. Well, I tried giving the wheel a good tug after removing the nut, and it doesn't want to go anywhere.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Might there be something else holding that thing on? Should I just yank on it harder?

thanks in advance,

Matt

[DarrylD]

It's not uncommon to need to use a big gear puller to get a steering wheel off. I would keep the nut over the end of the shaft so you don't mangle the threads until the wheel starts sliding up the splined shaft. Once you have it broken loose it should slide right off.

[CHILI]

It should come off. That's the only thing that holds them on (at least on mine.) Maybe it's a little rusted on? Moisture might have gotten into the splines?

[Wayne 962]

Wiggle back and forth for 10 minutes - that's what it took to get mine off...

-Wayne

[john walker's workshop]

some aftermarket adapters are pretty tight on the spline fit. can you get a plastic hammer behind the nuts around the outside? scribe some lineup marks on the shaft and adapter so you can put the wheel back on straight.

[porschenut]

WD-40 followed by a gentle backside whack or two from a rubber mallet ought to do the trick.

[kilodawg]

I concur with Wayne wiggle don't pull. Side to side should do it..

[creaturecat]

like darryl says - put the nut back on before wiggling/yanking - otherwise the wheel may come off and whack you in the head! (found out the hard way as a teenager).

[CarreraS2]

Try putting the key in the ignition and turn it to unlock the steering lock.

[pwd72s]

PB Blaster over WD 40...let it soak. Then wiggle. With luck, no rubber mallet or other force needed. I once thought those here suggesting PB Blaster were kooks...until I bought a can. The stuff sure stinks though...

[88 Club Sport]

Did it twice today. Once to take the Momo of my CS and put the stock '88 wheel on. The second time was to take the stock SC wheel of so that I could put the Momo from the CS on the SC .

Both were pretty tight so I let BP Blaster sit for 15 mnutes then as Wayne said, I wiggled back and forth. Both came off and swap was made. Good Luck.

[lateapex911]

If the oils and wiggles don't do it, often a good whack from 90 degrees does the trick with tapered splines. Penetrating oils will help.

[cubby911T]

Well, folks - good news and bad news.

Bad news = that sucker ain't comin' off tonight. Been dinking with it for an hour now, after letting several doses of WD40 work in there. Just won't even budge. Tried wacking it with a rubber mallet from every conceivable angle, tried wiggling, tugging, pulling, cursing....no joy.

Good news = I may not need to remove the wheel after all. As I was resting between rounds with the steering wheel, I tried the turn signals again. They were still malfunctioning, but I made a mental connection between the failing signals and a strange clicking noise I've been hearing lately. Guess what it was???

The turn signal relay in the luggage compartment!!!! That means screw the dang steering wheel (at least for now) LOL.

Nonetheless - thank you all for the great suggestions (as always!!). Something tells me I will have a rematch with that steering wheel someday.

Best wishes,

Matt M.

[19-911-65]

You may try this if all else fails:

Sit in the seat and bring your knees up behind the wheel to put preasure on both sides of the wheel (pushing the wheel toward your chest). Then after you have put the nut back on to within about 1/16 of the hub place a block of wood square on top of the nut and give it a good rap with your hammer while applying preasure to the back of the wheel, or you could have someone reach around you and pull the wheel toward you. It may take a wack or two, or you may have to adjust the nut if the wheel comes up but not off.

When the wheel comes off, get out the car, hold the wheel above your head with both hands, spin around 3 times while cussing your old girlfriend.

I hope this works!

Glenn

[old_skul]

Well, there's always the ole angle grinder.

[thabaer]

I have had wheel pullers that screwed into holes in the hub. Since your hub doesn't have them, it made me wonder if you can use an outside-hook puller. The vee in between the arms at 3 and 9 o'clock might be a big enough perch if you can protect the wheel with pieces of denim, and keep the hooks from popping off.

Edit: I just noticed that Glenn described another method that has worked for me, the one where I nailed myself in the face...