Removing the Steering Wheel from a 2004 175 Osprey

[Andgefish]

My steering column recently seemed "sloppy".  It was not firm to the console.  I noticed that the 2 screws or bolts either were never installed or fell out (without me noticing)?  Right now I have removed the center bolt in the steering wheel be can not budge it off the "column".  1) Is there another fastener I'm missing or is it just corrosion holding it in place.  2) Should the replacement screws/bolts fasten to something other than the fiberglass console?

Thanks

[Capt. Bob]

1). Corrosion, stuck key. You can use a puller to remove but first spray the shaft several times with a PB Blaster type corrosion solvent.

2). That's the way it mounts but I would have guessed there would be some type of backer plate (plywood, fender washers, etc) between the glass and the washer/nuts. If you have enough threads exposed, it would be a good time to add something (even bigger fender washers).

Different model, same procedure.

http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=6994.0

Good luck.