Author Topic: Steering Wheel not coming off????? (Read 7263 times)

Zilla · « **on:** May 09, 2009, 04:01:56 PM »

Hey I have a 4-spoke steering wheel on that I was trying to take off to get to the dash. It wasn't original on the car, the guy before put it in. I took off the 22mm bolt, and the washer, but the thing won't budge!!!

I've tried really hard to take it off but it won't come off, I put the ignition in the on position off position, in between position, still didn't budge, what am I doing wrong?

thx

ak96ss · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2009, 04:43:00 PM »

Smack it gently with a hammer around the circumference of the wheel - it sounds like it is just stuck. The key should be in the ON/UNLOCKED position when you try to remove it.

Zilla · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2009, 05:36:13 PM »

I have no idea why its not coming, I tried gently hammering the wheel, but the thing just doesn't want to budge. I'm going to wait it off and try to tackle this next weekend.

toddz69 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 23, 2009, 02:15:07 PM »

Quote from: ak96ss;71636

Smack it gently with a hammer around the circumference of the wheel - it sounds like it is just stuck. The key should be in the ON/UNLOCKED position when you try to remove it.

Is there any way to remove a wheel if the ignition is locked? I found a nice wheel at the junkyard today and it's obviously loose on the shaft but apparently the ignition lock is preventing it from coming off. Of course there's no keys to unlock the ignition at the junkyard....

TIA,
Todd Z.

1991 E30 M42 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 23, 2009, 04:42:07 PM »

Quote from: toddz69;72314

Is there any way to remove a wheel if the ignition is locked? I found a nice wheel at the junkyard today and it's obviously loose on the shaft but apparently the ignition lock is preventing it from coming off. Of course there's no keys to unlock the ignition at the junkyard....

TIA,
Todd Z.

i did it once by putting my feet on the dash and pulling as hard as i could

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 24, 2009, 10:28:46 PM »

Yeah, the pin that holds the wheel on is just plastic, and is made to resist rotation, not pulling.

I guess just make sure the key is 'on' and the turn signal is off and pull...

carlos318is · « **Reply #6 on:** May 25, 2009, 02:44:11 AM »

I have tried to pull the wheel off with out the key before and didn't do it the only way I did it was to get a long pole and feed it in to the steering wheel and snap the steering lock :eek:

toddz69 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 25, 2009, 10:47:20 PM »

Quote from: carlos318is;72399

I have tried to pull the wheel off with out the key before and didn't do it the only way I did it was to get a long pole and feed it in to the steering wheel and snap the steering lock :eek:

Thanks for the tips, guys. I guess if I really want it, I'll have to try and figure out where the lock is at in the assembly.

Todd Z.

BlackBMWs · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2009, 01:52:05 PM »

Same boat... Nice steering wheel at Pick and pull, center nut out, no key igniton in the off "0" position. Whacked it with a mallet, it appears to be loose on the shaft, but stuck in the lock. Looking at another E30 in the vicinity, the pin is metal, not plastic, at least on a 87.

Came home to get a 4lb hammer with a heftyer screwdriver/prybar to try to break the ignition lock. Already tried with a screwdriver and a big mallet. I will say the ignition locks on these cars seem to take major abuse...

:cool:

BlackBMWs · « **Reply #9 on:** July 26, 2009, 12:41:03 AM »

What a PITA to get the steering lock to disengage. You all wern't kidding about pounding the lock. I ended up with a 4lb hammer and two screwdrivers.

Tools I ended up using, plus a 16mm wrench for the steering wheel puller

I improvised to pull the steering wheel off the spline. The car I was pulling the steering wheel from had no seats. (Read no leverage)

Here's the metal pin that holds the steering wheel from turning or being released. I ended punching the back if the lock cylinder through the back of the lock housing, then got some vice grips on the shaft that turns the electric switch and spun the cylinder enough to disengage the metal pin.

I did see other E30's with mangled M-tech type steering wheels from folks who also had trouble with the pins.

Here's what I did with my hammer and screwdrivers.

$40 bucks for the steering wheel and airbag. Actually in really good shape. It'll be an improvement from my current wheel as the rubber has separated from the underlying metal frame and feels like a sponge. Not sure it was worth the time though in the 104 degree heat for a few hours... Anyway, it got down to not letting the lock beat me... :rolleyes: