1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

How to remove the steering wheel?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-29-05, 03:40 PM
  #1  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
84RX7'nSTi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Thousand Oaks, CA
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
How to remove the steering wheel?

Okay, I know this is a stupid question and it probably has been covered many times in the past. I did a search, but could not find exactly what I am looking for.

How do I take this thing off?

Do I need to remove the plastic cover on the column to expose the nut/bolts? Do I need to pull/twist off the horn cover? What do I need to do first?

I have removed/installed steering wheels on a number of cars, but the RX-7 is new to me.

Mike
Old 10-29-05, 04:39 PM
  #2  
love the braaaap

 
85rotarypower's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Bognor, Ontario
Posts: 3,771
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Take the plastic horn cover off the center and that will expose the nut used to hold the steering wheel on. Take that nut off then use a puller to pull the steering wheel off.
Old 10-29-05, 04:48 PM
  #3  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
84RX7'nSTi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Thousand Oaks, CA
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks

Mike
Old 10-29-05, 05:28 PM
  #4  
Function > Form

 
rotor vs. piston's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Catonsville MD (baltimore suburb)
Posts: 10,890
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 1 Post
The oddest thing happend when I took the wheel off my '79 SA, after I took the nut off the wheel just came off, no issue, no puller. It was one of those times working on a car that I felt like I was in the twilight zone, I have so much issue with My FB.
Old 10-29-05, 05:31 PM
  #5  
FD Daily

iTrader: (26)
 
K-Tune's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Gulf Breeze, FL
Posts: 3,308
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 13 Posts
a lot of times its stuck pretty good...and when your pulling with all your might that plastic safety piece will break and you get the "in and out" steering wheel

use a puller for this reason...or it might just come right off.
Old 10-29-05, 05:44 PM
  #6  
Rotary Enthusiast

iTrader: (14)
 
Slammed_GSL's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Drifting a Roundabout near you!
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
I rocked my wheel side to side and that got it loose, it's mounted on a cone and just needs some movement to get it loose.....worked for me at least. I bent a cheap puller trying to get one off.
Old 10-29-05, 08:11 PM
  #7  
FB+FC=F-ME

 
steve84GS TII's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Rohnert Park CA
Posts: 3,353
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
I rent automotive tools for a living and Ive never had to use my steering wheel puller. Although, Ive renting it hundreds of times!Heh,heh...5 bucks a day for something that cost me 20 bucks!Same with a ball joint puller or picklefork.Never used one,just smack the side with a hammer!

For steering wheels,I just give it a few rocks side to side,maybe a whack or 2 and itll pop right off.Dont pull furiously,like FBDrifter said it can break the collapsing pin. Just rock it laterally real hard,then pull straight back.Its always hardest if its never been off since manufacture,any near future attempts will be easier.
Old 10-29-05, 08:39 PM
  #8  
Thunder from downunder

iTrader: (1)
 
aussiesmg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Convoy, Ohio, USA
Posts: 3,843
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I concur, rocking will loosen it enough to break the bind.
Old 10-29-05, 08:49 PM
  #9  
Turbo widebody FB

iTrader: (1)
 
Dan_s_young's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Alberta Canada
Posts: 3,733
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I used a puller, and bent my stock steering wheel in the process... Oh well the momo is 20x nicer.
Old 10-29-05, 09:22 PM
  #10  
rotarless

 
alxpril's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: N/A
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by FBDrifter
a lot of times its stuck pretty good...and when your pulling with all your might that plastic safety piece will break and you get the "in and out" steering wheel

use a puller for this reason...or it might just come right off.
Where is the plastic safety piece you are talking about? My steering wheel goes in and out but i thought it was the collapsible part of the column that was messed up. Is that the same thing?
Old 10-29-05, 09:49 PM
  #11  
backyard tuner

iTrader: (1)
 
Paradox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
what happens if you're collapsable pin is already broken and you try to pull the wheel off?

mines been broken since i got the car and im a little worried about yanking the wheel now...
Old 10-29-05, 11:07 PM
  #12  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
84RX7'nSTi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Thousand Oaks, CA
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks guys for the responses!

The horn cover came off easy enough and there was no problems with the wheel nut. I sprayed some "G-Force" penetrator fluid on the shaft, rocked the wheel back and forth many times (not too hard) and pulled real hard a few times. The factory wheel came off nicely and was replaced with a Momo.

Mike
Old 10-30-05, 06:56 AM
  #13  
Censored

iTrader: (14)
 
ray green's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Georgia
Posts: 11,381
Received 182 Likes on 141 Posts
Yep I've removed the steering wheels on all three of my GSLs without a puller, just a little rocking and pulling. Be sure to line those turn signal pins up when you put it back on though, they break easily. Also it's a good idea to unhook the battery so that you won't be blowing the horn with your socket wrench and getting the neighbors all upset.
Old 10-30-05, 10:43 AM
  #14  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
84RX7'nSTi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Thousand Oaks, CA
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by ray green
Also it's a good idea to unhook the battery so that you won't be blowing the horn with your socket wrench and getting the neighbors all upset.
LOL,

I pulled the fuse after already making too much noise while contemplating the removal of the horn cover! I am sure the neighbors did not appreciate it.

Mike
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Th0m4s
Build Threads
25
02-26-19 02:04 AM
Snoopy FD
Build Threads
25
12-08-15 01:45 PM



Quick Reply: How to remove the steering wheel?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:59 PM.