I just bought a 4 spoke sport wheel for my '71 98. I set about removing my stock steering wheel, staring by removing the horn cover and then the large center nut, but the wheel didn't budge. I noticed two "rivets" that looked like they could also be holding things in place, but I decided against going after those since I didn't know how to go about removing them, and didn't know what removing them might do.

So what am I missing?

Thanks!

-Bob

 

You need a steering wheel puller, or really strong forearms....just don't let it hit you in the nose when it breaks free....


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x2 on the puller. Pounding on it to get it off could damage the shaft. Err...I mean the column.

 

LOL! When I had to remove the steering wheel on my '87 Cutlass Ciera (several times), I just pulled really really hard on the wheel while grandpa tapped (not pounded) the shaft with a big 'ol sledgehammer. Worked perfect. Just hit it dead on, not sideways.

--Ryan

 

Also, did you get the hub with your 4 spoke wheel? If this is one of the sport wheels it will need a hub to attach the wheel to the column. John

 

Alright, a wheel puller it is I guess...where can I find myself one of those? Otherwise, when you're talking about tapping on the shaft, would you be referring to where that large nut in the center attaches?

2blu442, I did not get the hub with the wheel. Happen to know where I could get one...and maybe a horn button too?

Thanks for the quick replies as usual guys!

-Bob

 

I bought a wheel puller from harbor freight, pretty cheap. The only thing is you need to buy better bolts as the ones that came with it are low quality, and I bent one.

The hub and horn button setup are available repop, but you can drop another $100 plus for them. You might try a parts wanted thread here to find used ones. John

 

I just found a hub on ebay for $45...it was the cheapest out of a couple on there. How does that price sound?

 

That's probably fair for the hub. I think the repop horn buttons are like $65, then you'll need the horn contact parts to make the horn work. I don't remember, but think they may be around $15-25. You might find them all on Fusick and evaluate the price from there. You right that these parts are on ebay all the time. John

 

I had forgot about Fusick, but I'll be sure to try them.

Thanks John!

 

Loosen the large nut but leave it on (just proud of the shaft, so you don't damage the threads) then hit it in the middle with a big hammer, while pulling against the wheel, or a cheap puller from the auto parts store

 

Let's look at things here. Is the car a standard column, tilt column or tilt-telescopic column?

If you have standard or tilt-only you can use a steering wheel puller to R&R the steering wheel. If it's a tilt-telescopic column (and a lot of Ninety Eights had it), the sport wheel will not work.

 

My 98 does not have the tilt-telescope column, it doesn't even have tilt. It's just the standard column.

 

At Auto Zone, Advance and other parts places they loan the pullers with a deposit equal to it's price, obviously sell them too. A tool rental would have one but they're cheap and be better off buying one in that case.

Don't hit the center with a hammer!
There are nylon pins that hold the shaft sections together that are meant to shear off in case of an accident and if you shear them off you got big problems, lots of other good stuff can be broken too.
I don't think you need to get any deeper into the column than take off the wheel for that? You would need a lock plate remover tool if so, same deal as the puller.

 

Thanks for the tip on Auto Zone Bluevista. I figured they might rent something like that.

Once I score a hub I'll be in business!

-Bob

 

Try these guys. They seem to have everything. www.toolstorechicago.com

 

Is there a way too remove a damaged wheel off a telescopic colum and is they're a replacement wheel available? Any help will be appreciated Thank you