murderedxj91

I'm trying to remove my steering wheel to replace my wiper switch because my wipers don't work, which is a whole other ordeal, but I'm running into issues with removing the wheel. I can't use a steering wheel puller because there are two bolts broken off in the wheel where a puller is used. I can only assume they are broken off in there because some poor SOB in the past tried to remove the wheel and it was so horrifically stuck on that it snapped the bolts. I can't use screw extractors on the bolts because they are now stuck in there horrendously, I know this because I tried and the screw extractor snapped off in the bolt. I've tried just yanking on it, yanking on it while banging the mounting bolt with a 2 pound sledge, and even trying to pry it off with a crowbar. All I succeeded in doing is making my already loose steering column twice as bad. The only other thing I can think of is doing some convoluted scheme involving a comealong that ends with me possibly breaking the wheel and possibly a window. Anyone have any secrets or tricks that could help me get this dang thing off??? The picture shows the two snapped bolts and the hole on the right side bolt where the screw extractor currently resides.

tinytrax78

do you have access to a air chisel and a pointed bit? if so .... remove nut , slide your seat up as far as you can , get your knees behind the wheel as best as you can ,place air chisel on dimple in middle of bolt ,kinda lift / push up with your knees on wheel and air chisel the crap out of the center bolt . maybe heat or pb blaster will help but only use one or the other to keep from burning it down !

tinytrax78

looks like maybe you could use the 3 good bolt holes to pull it instead of the 2

murderedxj91

Thanks, I have access to an air hammer. The thought crossed my mind, but I didn't think the result would be much different, but I'll definitely give it a shot now. I've soaked it down with WD-40 which I know isn't the same as pb, but I thought it was worth shot

fb97xj1

Never thought of an air chisel. Worth a shot.

I wondered the same. Or even a gear puller like this one, if there is room to get behind it. I dont know how thick that steering wheel is, tho. But its an idea.

murderedxj91

I wouldn't use the 3 good bolt holes because of how small they are, I suspect the wheel would just destroy those smaller bolts. And a gear puller or traditional pulley puller is on my list of things to try, but I only have access to the air hammer right now
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tinytrax78

that 3 jaw looks like a good idea too . keep us posted!