Hi

I was trying to remove my oem steering wheel to install a momo.

I was able to get the center pad off by removing the 2 screws and the center nut that is holding it to the steering column but no matter how much i try to just yank it out, it just wont come out.. There is no more screws left to take off but it won't even budge any bit. I originally just thought it might be rust holding it in but i WD40 it and it still wont come off

Does anybody have a solution?

Thanks

 

you can get a steering whel puller or rig up a crank pulley puller.

 

Put your center nut back on shaft. Screw it down to a point where the the end of the shaft is slighty inside the nut, to protect threads. Pull on wheel with one hand while tapping on nut with with a mallet. This works most of the time. If it doesn't pop loose with a couple of tries you can mess up the threads so stop and buy-borrow the wheel puller

 

sometimes if you hit the wheel from the side the vibes break it free.

 

Most useful bit of advice so far.
When the wheel does decide to let go, it's going to do it fast and hard.

Although the idea of braining yourself with a steering wheel may sound humorous- and certainly, we will all laugh and laugh- you will only find it funny through a haze of painkillers.

So, put the nut back on but not tight against the hub.
Usually I've found that gripping the wheel and rocking it (in and out) will break it free. Try holding it at 6 and 12, then 3 and 9.

If this doesn't work, pretend you're a real mechanic and go rent a steering wheel puller.

 

got it off thanks.. Took about 10 min of hammering but got it off

Thanks again

 

I'm glad this worked, but the FSM warns to NEVER hit the shaft with a hammer. The column is collapsible to absorb energy in a collision. If you hit it with a hammer, you can cause the column to collapse; Section 10, page 10 S5 FSM. Look it up. S$ doesn't have the same warning, but does mention that the column is collapsable and says the wheel must be removed with a puller.

Now, to get this thing off, put the nut on the end of the threads just a couple of turns. YANK on one side of the steering wheel rim. Then YANK on the opposite side. Repeat this back and forth yanking. You can alternate from side to side and top to bottom.

Really just 3-4 yanks and it will come off. If the yanking really doesn't work then use a wheel pulling tool. Just don't use a hammer.

Another tip: If you are going to put the same steering wheel back on the car, don't forget to mark the hub and the shaft before you yank it off. I use a paint pen.