[mustangmallory]

I have ben restoring the interior of my 97 convertible for a few weeks now and I'm almost done. The only thing I have left to do is replace the steering wheel with one I bought. The problem I'm having is the casting around one of the bolt holes to attach a steering wheel puller as broken and will not allow for the bolt to bite. So ultimately the use of a steering wheel puller is going to be impossible. Does anyone have a technique that is proven to work that won't cause damage to the steering column or the hex bolt hole in the column? Open to anything that anyone has!

[Tang Stang]

As much as I'll promote using the right tool for the job, I have in the past found that Ford steering wheels aren't typically too difficult to remove from the column without a puller. Sometimes it's a long walk back to the truck to grab the puller when you've happened across a steering wheel you want in the junkyard. Thread the bolt back into the column by a few threads, then wiggle the wheel while pulling towards you. It'll usually pop off pretty easily, and the bolt will keep it from hitting you in the chest.

[mustangmallory]

I've been beating the hell out this damn thing and it hasn't budged. Thanks for the advice, but this wheel has absolutely no wiggle in it.

[MustGT98allday]

its not about the force. i had all sorts of pullers and everything when trying to remove mine, then my grandfather was tapping new holes for different bolts and pop. off it fell in his hands. he wasnt pulling on it or anything. try easing it off. it has to come off straight or else it will be stuck

[97S281]

The last one I pulled in a junkyard was on there like a mofo. It actually bent the metal part of the wheel puller. I got it off but I can't say it was easy. There is no way your going to get that off without using a puller.

[WhiteNoise]

Better than being too easy, right? Would kinda suck if you were going down the road and your steering wheel came off and you couldn't steer (like a bad cartoon).




Figured you could use a little humor..

[Tang Stang]

If you're not planning to save the wheel that you're trying to remove, is there space to drill new holes in an alternate pattern to use the puller with?

[MustGT98allday]

i tried the alternate holes and it popped off as i was tapping em. the steering wheel even bent a puller i used. idk. it just decided to pop off. someone else told me one time just grab ahold of it with two hands on either side and shake it vigorously

[mustangmallory]

Well, both factory tapped holes have broken now and it hasn't budged. Really starting to piss me off. This literally is the final piece of the puzzle to converting my car from peanut butter and grey to all black. I'm gonna try a clutch puller and see if that works.

[mustangmallory]

Ok, so I'm laying bed just now because I'm being lazy today and my roommate to walked in and handed me my steering wheel....WTF???!!!

[Tang Stang]

Originally Posted by mustangmallory Ok, so I'm laying bed just now because I'm being lazy today and my roommate to walked in and handed me my steering wheel....WTF???!!!

Did he/she use the wiggle method?

[Speedstang302]

pull the entire column from the car, remove the torque bolt from the center of the wheel into the column, find a flat headed bolt that fits the threads and sink it in about half way (high enough for next step) have someone hold the wheel with the column point towards the ground, high enough of the ground so it doing hit the ground (during next step) then take a dead blow and strike the bolt in the center of the column, eventually the wheel should pop right off the column...done it tons of times never once had a problem...a SW puller would be preferable...but 90% with mechanics the right tools are in your box at the shop...gotta use what ya gotta use

[mustangmallory]

Basically he used the same method as mentioned before without removing the column from the car....vibration pops the wheel lose.

[MustGT98allday]

i told ya. just wiggle it and eventually pop. off it comes

[mustangmallory]

Well the interior is about 90% done, so figured I'd share some pics.

[Tang Stang]

Looks great!

[96-GT_Josh]

You last pic makes me eant to repaint mine ti freshen up the green. Hmmmm. Is that the factory color or was it painted that color?

[mustangmallory]

The green exterior is factory, however the interior from the factory was a different story. It was the peanut butter and black theme with grey cloth seats. I can't for the life of me understand why Ford would do that.

[xploder17s]

you damn near have to hug the steering wheel and rotate with the bolt backed off a little.

[Steelsoldi3r]

In auto tech we've had to take them off and I just grabbed and yanked the shit out of it. It popped off everytime on all the cars I did. ( almost got hit in the chest/face, but never did luckily) that's how I did it.