Steering Wheel removal

[seabob4]

well did you get it off ? :cyclops:

That's a "loaded" question...OMG, sexual innuendo!  

[JoseGaspar]

well did you get it off ? :cyclops:

No.  kept at it with BP Blaster, went back with steering wheel puller and upgraded from a claw hammer to a 10lb. sledge hammer.  Wouldn't budge.  I guess I will try and apply some heat.  Was taking with a friend of the family and he suggested that salt water on it might break up the corrosion (although there isn't that much that I can see) but I don't get the logic there.  He also suggested trying to punch out the key.

Any other ideas out there?

Thanks,
JG (Mark)

[pete]

cut it off with a dremel or grinder  

[Glock Diver]

How wide is the base of your puller?  (the shaft part)

[kedd]

Are you just trying to save the wheel?
The sterring box is toast by now at least the threads.

If you just want it gone without console damage use a long blade on a sawsall.
Cut the shaft under the wheel and remove it.

You might even save the wheel once you can really heat it up and punch the shaft out with out damage.
 Just my 2 cents.

Good luck.


Kedd

[JoseGaspar]

How wide is the base of your puller?  (the shaft part)

There is a pic on the first page.  It works as it should, I just can't free the darn thing.

[JoseGaspar]

Are you just trying to save the wheel?
The sterring box is toast by now at least the threads.

If you just want it gone without console damage use a long blade on a sawsall.
Cut the shaft under the wheel and remove it.

You might even save the wheel once you can really heat it up and punch the shaft out with out damage.
 Just my 2 cents.

Good luck.


Kedd

Thanks.  This is my final option.

[Capt. Bob]

I guess I will try and apply some heat.  
JG (Mark)

Don't guess.
Not some but a lot. Take your time (hell how long have you been trying to remove the wheel?) and add heat slowly and as evenly as you can around the hub while keeping pressure on the puller.

Still doesn't work, then butcher it off.

[Glock Diver]

How wide is the base of your puller?  (the shaft part)

There is a pic on the first page.  It works as it should, I just can't free the darn thing.

I saw that photo, but can't see the base (the tip) of the puller.  From the other pics, I think the tip would have to be fairly narrow to be placing pressure on the steering shaft only, and not the surrounding areas.   I'm grasping I know,    but seems like you've thought of everything else.


My other suggestion is to PM DOCREED, as he's got the same boat, and maybe he's encountered this.

[RebelYell]

..

Dude.

Lookin' at you picture above it appears like somebody mounted the steering wheel and helm on a block of starboard which is mounted to the fiberglass console.

That being said, you should be able to take a SawzAll metal cutting blade to that shaft and cut the freakin wheel off. A helm won't cost you that much, sounds like you have hassled with this long enough. Just disconnect the steering cable underneath and get to cuttin'.

Once the wheel is free you can punch out what is left of the old shaft with a shop press. If you don't have a press take the wheel to just about any garage and an old grease monkey will pop it out for ya for $5 and a six-pack.

Quit foolin' with it already. You will need a new helm anyway. That shaft has to be boogered up by now.

The wheel is definitely worth saving. Those stainless wheels aren't cheap.

 :joker:

[JoseGaspar]

Hi everyone, i've been away on a bit of hiatus with the family.  Gonna try the heat deal this weekend, but bringing a sawzall along as plan B.  Come hell or highwater that wheel is coming off this weekend.  I definately want to save the wheel, so willing to sacrifice everything else.

Thanks
JG (Mark)

[whitecapkjm]

I had the sme problem with my wheel on my 1987 Osprey 200. We heated the hub plate with a propane torch and then used a brass slug on the shaft and a hammer and the wheel pooped right off. We use the methods you have been using without any sucess. Good Luck

[Capt. Bob]

Ithe wheel pooped right off.

You'd poop too if someone hit your shaft with a brass drift and hammer. :o

[JoseGaspar]

Well, it took a hacksaw to the shaft, but got it off.  Funny thing happened afterwards.  I kept beating on the shaft and it still wouldn't come up.  Hit the backside with PB Blaster (could reach it when installed) and still nothing happening.  That bad boy was on their.  Then I remember something the mother-in-law's boyfried said (which I failed to try).  Got an awl and a standard framing hammer.  Place awl in key slot, hit with hammer, out pops the shaft.    :cry:

[flounderpounder225]

Well, it took a hacksaw to the shaft, but got it off.  Funny thing happened afterwards.  I kept beating on the shaft and it still wouldn't come up.  Hit the backside with PB Blaster (could reach it when installed) and still nothing happening.  That bad boy was on their.  Then I remember something the mother-in-law's boyfried said (which I failed to try).  Got an awl and a standard framing hammer.  Place awl in key slot, hit with hammer, out pops the shaft.    :cry:

Mark
Glad you finally got-er-done.... and as my wise friend always tells me... "No one said an education was easy... or cheap"  
Marc