Cant Remove Boat Steering Wheel

lennonhw · 21 March 2015, 18:16

Hi

I have an old boat and currently trying to remove the steering wheel but can't!

I've tried,

Soaking in WD40.
Hitting with a hammer.
Wiggling from side to side.
Using all my strength to pull in off.

Nothing Works!

Im guessing its frozen to the centre bolt, any help or methods of removing would be great!

Thanks

SPR · 21 March 2015, 19:25

hub pullers I believe is the way forward ...

www.firstaidatsea.co.uk
www.SPRmarine.co.uk

Nos4r2 · 21 March 2015, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPR

hub pullers I believe is the way forward ...

It's the only way apart from a hacksaw or heat after everything you already tried.

SPR · 21 March 2015, 21:16

put hub puller on wheel tight up - then give sharp hit and should move it ...if don't work tighten up further try again ....

www.firstaidatsea.co.uk
www.SPRmarine.co.uk

mick · 21 March 2015, 21:19

Had to cut mine off eek so now I remove and grease every so often

jyasaki · 22 March 2015, 07:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick

Had to cut mine off eek so now I remove and grease every so often

And don't tighten it up so much next time. Just needs to be tight enough that the nut doesn't fall off.

jky

Turbodiesel · 22 March 2015, 09:18

Get two people. Loosen the nut but don't take it off. Get one person to pull very hard on the wheel while the other person hits the shaft with a drift and a hammer. Usually works for me.

John Kennett · 22 March 2015, 09:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbodiesel

Loosen the nut but don't take it off.

That's a top tip to avoid a broken nose when the wheel suddenly comes free while you're hauling on it!

darklordhill · 22 March 2015, 10:01

Don't be tempted to start cutting or you could end up with a repair to do like this.

Searider · 22 March 2015, 10:57

Try pouring boiling water onto it. It might free off the corrosion.

Hub puller is the answer. Halfords sell them.

matt h · 22 March 2015, 11:34

As Black Dog said, Unscrew large centre nut until exactly level with centre shaft.. Then soak on Wurth 2040.
ONE person to get two large flat head screwdrivers and wedge them between bezel and steering wheel.
Push down on the screwdrivers with reasonable force whilst person TWO hits the centre shaft hard with decent sized hammer. One hit at a time ... after the first or second wack... it should be off. Haven't failed yet with this method.
Let me know how you get on...

Last Tango · 22 March 2015, 17:31

Angle grinder !!!!

lennonhw · 24 March 2015, 17:54

Thank you to everybody that replied, I think I'm going to have a go with a hub puller!

Thanks

Searider · 24 March 2015, 21:13

Don't forget the hot water

Simon666 · 24 March 2015, 22:49

Had use a bearing puller on mine. Ally wheel hub on a a stainless keyed shaft.
I was getting to the point where i thought the puller would break. Then...Bang!! off she popped.
Refurbished wheel and re-fitted with copper grease.

jyasaki · 25 March 2015, 16:16

As an FYI: when my wheel was stuck on (due, I think, to using anti-seize on it), I used heat, penetrating oil, hammers; nothing worked. Ended up putting a hub puller on, cranking it really tight, and left it for about 36 hrs. Eventually the bond gave way (with a resounding bang), cleaned everything up, used normal trailer hub grease, and vowed never to crank down on the steering nut again.

jky