Removing Steering Wheel

[seabob4]

By "banging" on a short length of 2 X 4, the wood won't hurt anything. As for the dash flat where the helm is mounted, that is always very well cored, probably the strongest part of your dash.

I have pull probably 250 steering wheels using this method (I was taught it by an old Cuban buddy of mine back at Wellcraft), it's always worked for me. Really stubborn wheels will take a few whacks... :shock:

 

[BobP]

You have to be either pulling up or otherwise wedge the wheel up so to take up the shaft axial play out and keep it rigid while hitting it, or a hard thin piece of wood between mallet and nut face. I didn't want to hit it with shaft fully seated in helm unit.

Depending how easy it releases calls for other measures.

You can go ahead and try to get it off now, then lite lube the taper for next time after buying wheel.

Didn't use 2 x 4s, I'm sure it will work as well, same for wheel pullers as I've used on my car. No impact there.

I recall the big nut having to thread it on. If I had to get this one off and it was stuck, I'd save the big nut and replace it with a common nut and hit it instead.

If you get the spinner version, and you don't like the ball, the spoke can't be made to be perfect as the other spokes since the welded stud is actually in a pressed shoulder on the spoke.

 

[Tucker]

Ok bringing this to the top as a follow up. I used seabob's procedure and she popped off after the second hit. The new wheel looks great!! I was thinking wheel pullers broken steel, chipped fiberglass. Nope, came right off. I had a heck of an audience and everyone was quite surprised!

 

[BobP]

Glad to hear it go easy, it's not always the case.

By the way, it doesn't matter where you locate ball on hydraulic system , it will move relative to straight-on, same reason for symetrical wheel pattern.

Only with mechanical systems like our cars will it stay put.

 

[ocnslr]

Re: "Center"

One thought, make sure you figure out where "center" is and install the wheel so the ball is not at groin level when you are standing up running the boat. One good wave and you will understand why :shock:

Good point. However, if you have an autopilot, or second steering station, then "center" will change all the time.

Gravity always seems to bring my 'speed knob' down to the bottom.... :lol:

Brian