Harpo

I'm gutting my 81 to put in a whole new interior. Next up is to pull the pod and dash out. To do that I have to remove the steering wheel. It is held by the big nut under the horn pad, right? I don't have a socket large enough to fit it and can't measure it where it is to go buy a socket. Anyone know what the size is? Any trick to pulling the wheel?

Thanks, Mark

Steve_C

I just changed the steering wheel on my 86.5 with a 27mm socket. No tricks, just a spring lock washer behind the nut.

GlenL

Or grab a 1&1/16 incher, I believe. Good stuff on wheel and pod (and all) at www.nichols.nu

Harpo

Thanks Steve!

GlenL The Nichols site has been a lot of help but I don't see Steering wheel removal there-- Where is it?

Mark

Bernie

Steering wheel removal is easy.
Take the 27mm nut off and pull the wheel out. It may take the slightest of wiggles but it does not require a puller or anything specific.

The only notable is to mark the wheel/column position so that you will get the wheel aligned properly when you reassemble.

Have At It!!

WallyP

The starting point for ALL steering system alignment is the dimple in the steering rack. Just forward of where the steering column enters the rack is a plastic plug. Pull that, find the dimple in the rack, and center it in the hole. Best way is to make or buy the centering bolt to hold the rack centered. With the rack centered, put the wheel on straight. If the wheel then isn't straight going down the road, the linkage alignment is off...

Big Dave

It's a good idea to remove the wheel only after you've turned it to the straight-dead-ahead position. Then you've just got to install the new wheel the same way.

It's really not all that hard or tricky.

GlenL

It's included in the pod removal post:
http://nichols.nu/tip172.htm