Extracting Nut off Steering Wheel

[impulse492f]

This is a gear puller



You put the prongs around the back of the wheel and the threaded center rod on the middle of the helm bolt (center of the wheel) then wind the end with a shifter until it "pops".

You can also get 4 pronged pullers.

I'd soak it in WD40/Inox overnight, partly screw the nut back on say 3/4. If you can get a good swing with a hammer strike the nut hard and pull the wheel left/right as you hit the nut. If you can't get a good swing you could try using a socket smaller then the nut on a socket extension then hit the end of the extension.

It will take a good wack.

[banshee]

Before you buy anything put the nut back on nearly all the way and pull back/out on the steering wheel while someone hits the top of the nut with a hammer,start with a couple of firm taps ang go up from there.

[blaze]

put the nut back on until it is level with the top of the shaft, this now requires a second person. Person one pulls back on the steering wheel, hands 180 degrees apart with all their strengh with a steasy preasure. Person 2, using a drift bigger than the diameter of the shaft, holds the drift SQUARELY onto the shaft and gives it a good hard hit with a 2 lb hammer. It may take a couple of hits as the shaft is tapered as well as keyed. If you dont hold the drift SQUARE it may damage or compress the last thread or 2 but if you work the nut backwards and foward when the metal part of the nut gets to that part of the thread it will self clean the damaged thread. Then just debur it with a file before reassembling. As already stated a bit of antisieze/grease is a good idea before reassembling.
cheers
blaze
ps
I dont like the idea of using a puller as the wheel isnt designed to be pulled off that way and if extremely tight will damage the wheel.

[Smelly]

WHy does everything seem difficult on boats

Maybe it's just me...........

[frankj]

Smelly

I f I remember right, The wheel is a taper fit on to the helm shaft, this is in addition to the woodroffe key/s. It will release all of a sudden so refitting the nut prior to any major pulling effort is a good safety first idea.
If you get a mate to help, you could try the 'when I nod my head you hit it' approach. Alternatively you could swing the hammer yourself and hit his head.

Personally, I think a hub puller is the way to go.

Cheers

[Roughasguts]

Mate every thing is dificuilt to get off on boats cause it gives you practice for the more dificuilt stuff that breaks, like bolt heads.

So Smelly why do you wan't to get the steering wheel off?

I took mine off to see if I could centralise it better, then I found I couldn't so it just went straight back on again.

[marshy]

Hi smelly , did the same job a few months back. Follow the advice Blaze gives in his last post, he is spot on,forget about the puller - it wont work with that wheel. regards.
marshy

[Deiter]

Smelly, in order to get this wheel off, forget the puller, it will only tear plastic unless the the wheel has a steel base going to the edge. Even then you would probably only break the casting.

Remember, steering wheels on boats are notoriously stubborn. No room for girly blouse's or frilly knickers here.
Keep repeating this little phrase as you follow Blaze's instructions to the letter;

"Brute force and ignorance wins every time."
"Brute force and ignorance wins every time."
"Brute force and ignorance wins every time."

Now go to town on that sucker!!!

Damo

[Smelly]

Guts, I want to tremove wheel because I want to replace it with a larger dia and straighter wheel.

OK - guys - TOday is Sunday so I will give it another try..

[bay_firey]

Smelly,

Go with Blaze's instructions, put the nut on to level with shaft and with force on the wheel give it a good tap with a hammer. Works a treat.

Just be SURE to put the nut on BEFORE using the hammer or you WILL damage the thread.

remember the old chinese proverb - If in Doubt clout, and if at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer.

[DNO40]

Mark (Bay Firey),

You must have been a butcher before Hardware and Real Estate.


DNO

[Roughasguts]

Smelly if brute force don't work then go the puller. Cause you gonna toss the wheel anyway.
It worked on mine and no damage to the wheel even though I seen it squeeze up.

Heres a tip with the puller you may need to use a decent Zip tie, to hold the claws on the steering wheel just wrap it around the 3-4 claws to hold there position, otherwise they may tend to come off.

And when the steering wheel lets go be prepared for an almighty crack
It will frighten the sh!t out of you.

[newchum]

Smelly

I f I remember right, The wheel is a taper fit on to the helm shaft, this is in addition to the woodroffe key/s. It will release all of a sudden so refitting the nut prior to any major pulling effort is a good safety first idea.
If you get a mate to help, you could try the 'when I nod my head you hit it' approach. Alternatively you could swing the hammer yourself and hit his head.

Personally, I think a hub puller is the way to go.

Cheers

smelly if it is taper fit and you use the puller you will still need to wack the top of the puller to break the taper(wonder if the bigger wheel is worth it)

[BilgeBoy]

Hi Smelly

That looks like some sort of retaining clip.....does it go all the way around (hard to tell in the picture)! If it does...does it have a gap in it at all.,,or is it perfectly round like a washer!???

Megsy

[Smelly]

Boys!

I got the fuker off!

Still lauging - some 2 hours after..

My brother came around - and he is usually very determined in every thing he does so I asked him to yank the wheel off for me. Well after a few voilent tugs - it came off.

And, guess who did'nt put the nut back on.....

He landed on his back somwehre between the two(2) front seats with legs in the air still holding the wheel wiht both hands - and a cheesy smile on my face

I knew I could rely on him......

Thanks for all your input fellas.

Smelly