328 steering wheel won't come off, now what? | FerrariChat
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328 steering wheel won't come off, now what?

Discussion in '308/328' started by yelcab, Aug 29, 2013.

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  1. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    Nov 29, 2001
    13,566
    San Carlos, CA
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    Mitchell Le
    #1 yelcab, Aug 29, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    What do you do when the steering wheel base will not come off from the shaft and you have used the proper tool which led to breaking both threaded extraction holes?
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  2. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
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    Mike 996
    #2 mike996, Aug 29, 2013
    You should be able to put the threaded rods of the puller through the holes and attach washers/nuts on the other side of the hub holes and then use the puller. This time, as you tighten the puller, tap the center of the puller with a hammer as you increase the tension. The hub will probably come off with out too much difficulty - shocking it like that is a common technique for pulling anything that uses that sort of puller - a center section bearing on a shaft that you are trying to pull something from.

    Good luck!
     
  3. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

    Feb 15, 2001
    4,367
    NY
    #3 Steve King, Aug 29, 2013
    It's hare to make out from the picture but are the 2 screw holes stripped? That would be where you screw in the puller screws. If they are you may want to retap them for a next size larger screw.
     
  4. andyww

    andyww F1 Rookie

    Feb 7, 2011
    2,775
    London
    #4 andyww, Aug 29, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Not sure how either of the above suggestions would work because the holes are blind and even if they were through-holes theres no access behind. And the raised part with the threads has broken so nothing to thread into.

    The only way I can think of is use a gear separator and large puller
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  5. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    Nov 29, 2001
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    Mitchell Le
    #5 yelcab, Aug 29, 2013
    Both threaded holes have been redrilled, retapped, and busted again. I got one of those gear puller so I will try that ...
     
  6. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,099
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
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    Brian Crall
    #6 Rifledriver, Aug 29, 2013
    Never used a puller and never taken over 20 seconds.

    I won't post it. Did it once and got far too many experts telling me I was wrong.

    If you want help 925-552-9700.


    You have to promise not to make it public. Tired of being told how wrong I am.
     
  7. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
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    #7 mike996, Aug 29, 2013
    I have to admit that most steering wheels I have removed didn't require a puller - just unbolt the center nut, bolt the steering wheel back on and they usually can be popped right off. I assume that one is "welded" in place...

    Call RD, as he suggested!
     
  8. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    Nov 29, 2001
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    San Carlos, CA
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    Mitchell Le
    #8 yelcab, Aug 29, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I got it off but the hub is destroyed (well, with the extractor holes both destroyed, the hub would have to be replaced anyway). Now that I see what it is like from the inside, I think I know how to get it off in 30 seconds the next time. My mistake this time was to assume that the shaft has splines like other steering wheel hubs.

    The shaft is conical shape, has a slot where a woodruff key fits in.
    The hub is the reverse of conical shape, fits over the conical shaft and the slot aligns with the woodruff key. That is the only alignment you have.
    The big ring nut provides the holding force that pushes the hub on to the conical shaft, all friction fit, nice and tight.

    To remove it in 30 seconds, loosen the big nut a few turns. Take a air chisel with a pointed end, apply the chisel end to the hole at the top of the shaft, hold the steering wheel and blast away for about 20 seconds and the impact will drive the friction lose and away comes your undamaged steering wheel hub.
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  9. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
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    Steve W.
    #9 FasterIsBetter, Aug 30, 2013
    Mitch, interesting bit of information about using the air chisel. Makes sense. I wonder if that was Rifledriver's "secret" method that he didn't want to disclose? Either that or he give the top of the shaft a couple of good whacks with a deadblow!
     

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