removing a steering wheel

Our steering wheel is a tad off. I tried to take it off but found myself
stuck. We apparently need a special tool to remove the wheel, is there
another way. no one I know has one and to buy one for a single use is
rather silly.
Thanks in advance

 

You can get the steering wheel puller at your local auto parts store for
$10 or $15.

**HOWEVER** - you are going about it wrong. Unless you know that
someone removed the steering wheel and put it on clocked wrong
(doubtful), you should get a proper 4-wheel alignment done instead.
*If* it is still that way after the alignment, the shop should adjust
the tie rods (i.e., adjusting both tie rods in the same direction to
maintain the correct toe in but change the direction of the wheels
relative to the steering wheel) to center the steering wheel as part of
the alignment that you paid for (should have been done without you
asking, but sometimes you have to push them to finish the job).

I have done this myself on occasion (I'm anal about the steering wheel
being perfectly straight), but if you don't know what you're doing, you
can mess things up (adjustment of steering parts isn't something to
guess at or experiment with unless you know what you're doing).

(If you think you can't afford an alignment, think again - if something
is out of whack causing the steering wheel to be off center, it could
end up costing you more in tire wear and ultimately an alignment
anyway.)

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

rent one?

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I haven't had a steering wheel off a car in 20+ years. Are they still
splined to allow indexing or will they fit in only one position? Given
that most modern designs try to eliminate assembly errors through better
design, I wouldn't be surprised if they were keyed to fit only one way,
but I'm curious.


Matt

 

You could be right, Matt. I've not had my steering wheel off either.

Here's a key sentence from the FSM in the procedure on re-installing the
steering wheel after removing it: "Position steering wheel on shaft of
steering column, making sure the master serration in the wheel hub and
on the steering column shaft line up". Although it could just be a
visual cue, it sounds like a positive keying.

All the more reason (necessity) to fix this problem the right way by
fixing steering/suspension problems, if any, getting a proper 4-wheel
alignment, and correcting any off-centerdness with the bi-lateral tie
rod adjustments.

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

Yep, that is the right way to correct the problem even if relocating the
steering wheel is possible.

Matt

 

I will ask the previous owner then if need be go for the 4-wheel alignment.
Thanks all for your help.

 

Don't do that. That's not the right way to fix it.

 

Roger that. I will seek professional help.

 

Yeah - there's several of us here that could use some professional
help. 8^)

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

LOL