Steering Wheel Won't Budge- Suggestions?

[moesdeals]

Hey folks,

Can anyone tell me a trick to removing a stubborn steering wheel from a Yamaha G16 cart? I have been using a wheel puller, penetrating oil (for two days) and lots of patience. I can't get this bugger to budge. Any suggestions on this?

I am ready for heat next if that will help.

[1989Marathon]

Loosen the nut about one thread.
Sit in the seat and put your feet up on the dash, and your knees behind the steering wheel. Apply pressure to the back of the steering wheel. Place a piece of hardwood against the nut to protect it, and give the center nut/hardwood a very quick, hard hit with a hammer. Don't try it with the nut removed. The wheel will fly off and change your complexion!

[Mike Mac]

Moes, I loosen the nut, bring it up till about 2 threads are sticking above the shaft. Then I put a punch, like 1/2" diameter, on the end of the shaft and smack the punch with a hammer. But while I do this, I have my legs up under the outer ring of the st. wheel, pulling up on it.. Put your feet in the dash pods to help push up on the wheel.

[dbmachine]

Same technique i use. Dont remove the nut or you will get a face full of pain.

[moesdeals]

Originally Posted by 1989Marathon

Loosen the nut about one thread.
Sit in the seat and put your feet up on the dash, and your knees behind the steering wheel. Apply pressure to the back of the steering wheel. Place a piece of hardwood against the nut to protect it, and give the center nut/hardwood a very quick, hard hit with a hammer. Don't try it with the nut removed. The wheel will fly off and change your complexion!

Crap, I tried that until I had cramps in my legs. I am a pretty big guy too so I had a lot of leverage on it. I have 3 different pullers and used the heavy one that fit the best. It will not budge.

[moesdeals]

Originally Posted by Mike Mac

Moes, I loosen the nut, bring it up till about 2 threads are sticking above the shaft. Then I put a punch, like 1/2" diameter, on the end of the shaft and smack the punch with a hammer. But while I do this, I have my legs up under the outer ring of the st. wheel, pulling up on it.. Put your feet in the dash pods to help push up on the wheel.

Tried that Mac. Won't work even with my strength.

[1989Marathon]

You want to try to do it in one attempt. Give it enough pressure with your knees like your trying to push it off just with your knees. Then give the center a VERY hard, quick hit with a man-sized hammer.

[Cvans]

Instead of a piece of hardwood I would use a piece of brass or hard aluminum like 6061. Even hardwood will tend to deaden the blow. It would be best to have someone else use the hammer and large brass punch while you concentrate on applying as much pressure as possible.
good luck.

[moesdeals]

Originally Posted by 1989Marathon

You want to try to do it in one attempt. Give it enough pressure with your knees like your trying to push it off just with your knees. Then give the center a VERY hard, quick hit with a man-sized hammer.

I did that with a large punch and even used a sledge hammer to hit it. I am a big guy so believe me it got plenty of leverage. Have you ever used heat?

[1989Marathon]

No. Never had to. I've removed 3 like that. If you don't care about the wheel, no reason you can't use heat. Except for that fire thing...

You could always remove the entire column and then remove the outer cover. Set the back of the wheel on the top of a vise with the shaft through the loose vise jaws. That would give you a solid surface to hammer it out. I'm not sure if the column comes apart like my EZGO though.