Can't get bolt holding steering wheel off. Tips?

[sean73t]

I can't get this bolt to budge for the life of me. I am being careful as to not break anything, but it will not budge. Any advice on how you may have done it will be awesome I just want the demon bolt off!






And for those of you wondering why I want the steering wheel off. The headlight relay seems to have gone bad as my high beams are stuck on when I turn my lights on. So I am following these guides:

turn signal switch quick fix pictures

Pelican Technical Article: Replacement of Steering Wheel Switches - 911 (1965-89) - 930 Turbo (1975-89)

[rusnak]

PBBlaster, and impact wrench.

[NOLAsc]

Yeah. That turn signal switch fix is a good one. When I took mine wheel off, I tried holding it with a "club," but that didn't work. I finally had to enlist the support of someone else to hold the wheel, and I used a cheater bar/pipe on my big craftsman 1/2 inch drive.

Sounds like you have read that slipping or sudden loosening can cause damage -- even to your windshield.(?)

BTW, after the nut's off, see if there's a way you can mark the wheel against the shaft so you can put it back on on the right spline.

[boyt911sc]

Just removed the OEM steering wheel of a Carrera 3.2 ('87) a few days ago and installed a Momo steering wheel and hub using a 27-mm socket with my pneumatic impact wrench. It took one zap of the tool and it was done. If you don't have an impact wrench, turn the steering wheel all the way to the left and use a breaker bar to loosen the steering column nut.

Another option, is to bring your car to a shop and let them loosen it. They might not even charge you for their service because it would take only a few seconds to get it loosen. HTH.

Tony

[nesslar]

Originally Posted by rusnak

PBBlaster, and impact wrench.

Someone put it on WAY too snug; doesn't need to be that tight. Impact wrench is your only choice, I think too, but you might not be able to get an impact socket in there; too big (diameter). Regular big socket (3" long or so?), and presto...let us know?

[Dogbreath]

I got mine off with a 27mm socket, extension and a long breaker bar. I held the steering wheel with one hand and the breaker bar in the other. It came right off.

[nesslar]

Mine wasn't even that tough...somebody really torqued that turkey....

[javadog]

Impact sockets fit in there just fine. I wouldn't advise turning the wheel all the way to the left and not holding it. Better to have someone hold it for you. If you use an impact, it comes off easyily. Even most electric impacts can do it.

JR

[rusnak]

It could just be threadlocking compound, or something making it difficult. I wouldn't wrench the nut against the steering wheel lock; have someone else hold the steering wheel if you don't have an impact wrench. Otherwise, just zap it off, and use a torque wrench to put it back on.

[sean73t]

I've tried a manual impact wrench to no avail. I have yet to try a breaker bar. I sprayed liquid wrench and tried what tools I have, not a budge.

And I have had someone hold the steering wheel, I don't feel like taking chances.

[tevake]

I lashed a stout piece of timber that was about 4 feet long to the wheel to get the leverage need to counter the extension on the breaker bar, to get mine loose. then didn't over tighten it when reinstalling it.

Good luck
Richard

[gchappel]

If you do not have an impact wrench go get a 6pack of beer. Drive to your local auto repair guy, give him the beer and borrow his impact wrench to break it free. Tighten it up a little- drive home and you are all done.
Worked for me several years ago
Gary

[c0metdot]

There is no bolt.

There is however, a nut.

There is no thread lock.

There is no moisture to cause the corrosion that would require lubrication.


Long breaker, (not a reversed torque wrench) pull, while holding the wheel.

[Targalid]

Get an electric or air impact wrench. You will use it for everything. I got my 1/2 inch electric impact wrench at Harbor Freight for 34.95. Best money I ever spent! It spun off that steering wheel nut like it had been put on yesterday instead of 36 years ago. Don't waste your time doing it any other way. It isn't worth it. You will use the impact wrench for everything from working on your car to building your next deck. Also get the el cheapo metric impact socket set. Make sure you get a set that has the 27 mm to take of that nut. Paint a stripe on the steering wheel as you pull it off the splined shaft so that you get it lined up right on reassembly or else scribe a mark across both parts. With the impact wrench, taking off the steering wheel is a breeze but still you don't want to keep doing it repeatedly like I had to until you get it back on straight.

[LWJ]

I just did this with a breaker bar last week or so.

On tough nuts, use penetrating oil. PB Blaster is good. 50% acetone 50% ATF is supposed to be the best. It works VERY well.

Regardless, put the oil on the nut. Hang out a while.

Try a long breaker or impact wrench. Should not be a problem.

Larry

PS - I would not use the limit on the rack as a stop for the nut. Sounds like a bad idea.

[Gustyones]

I feel your pain. Mine was REAL tight too. I had my son hold the wheelwhile i turned it with a breaker bar. If you don't have it off yet i would follow gchappel's advice...

[will hung]

You pretty much have to use a breaker bar to loosen that nut. If you can't find somebody to hold the steering wheel for you, get a broom handle, put it through the steering wheel spokes, hold it with your arm pit and foot, and then go nuts loosening the steering wheel nut.

As others have said, do not use the wheel lock mechanism to lock the wheel in place. You can break the lock out device and then you'll create more work.

[ivangene]

righty tighty, lefty loosey

hope this doesnt help

[Driver_X]

I use leverage on the nut, and I put my club anti theft device on the wheel. Leverage is your friend.

[911pcars]

I assume you're not referring to the multiple flat socket head screws that attach the steering wheel to the hub. As others have suggested and as described in the tech piece, "The wheel is mounted on a spline, and fastened with a 27mm nut."

Drive down to the nearest gas station, one with a repair facility. Bring along a 1/2" dr., 27mm socket, then ask the tech to buzz it loose with his impact gun. 125-150psi line pressure does wonders to produce loosening torque. Thank him with a $5 bill or equivalent, then tighten it slightly before driving home to complete the repair.

After the repair, apply a small dab of anti-seize to the steering shaft threads before reassembling.

S