How do I replace a steering wheel?

[Dick Sorensen]

Need to remove the broken steering wheel on my project boat.... how do I go about doing that? thanks.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: How do I replace a steering wheel?

Most wheels have a cover over the center hub. That covers a nut that holds the wheel on to a tapered shaft. Remove the nut and you should be able to pull the wheel off. May take some gentle persuasion in for form of a BFH or J-bar, depending on how much room you have to work with around your console. Sometimes you get lucky and the wheel comes off easy. Sometimes there's corrosion involved and you resort to cutting it off the shaft with a Dremel... You could be anywhere in between...
- Scott

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: How do I replace a steering wheel?

From what I've seen it is the same as pulling the steering wheel on a car.
That taper is tough to pop loose.
Get to the nut like chinewalker said. Leave it on the shaft loose. Get someone to pull on the wheel straight up while you get a block of wood and a hammer. Hit the nut (still on the shaft) with the hammer with the block of wood in between. The wheel should pop off the taper.
If a few good smacks don't do it you will need a steering wheel puller. Should be able the rent them.

 

[Dick Sorensen]

Re: How do I replace a steering wheel?

Thanks guys, took a framing hammer to it and it surrendered! Kind of intimidating to take hammer to the boat. Thanks again.