Problem removing steering wheel.

[Bobbywolf]

'95 LX 1.9l if it helps.

Ok, my tach and speedo lamps are blown, so I can't see either in the dark. I knew it would be a pain to change them, but I finally mustered up enough energy to do so today. I knew I would have to remove the steering wheel (non-tilt) to do so, so I go to it.

I get everything off, remove the shaft bolt, and expose the puller holes. I set up my puller, and start cranking. Turn, turn, turn.... man this thing is really on there.... turn turn turn.....SNAP!

I teared the threads right out of one of the two puller holes, and some surrounding metal (damn weak cast aluminium). So, new approach, I set my knees behind the wheel, and my other hand on top, and yank with all my might, and wail on the shaft with a hammer. Nothing is budging.

I need some ideas. This thing doesn't want to come off.

[RatLabGuy]

Hahaha, I went through thsi same thing, I had 3 lights burned out, could barely read teh gauges at all, I stripped threads and all. Making the bracket in teh column out of aluminum was not a good idea.

Good news, though. You do NOT have to removet he steering wheel. Yes, it IS in the way...
If you look att he underside of teh column from under the dash, you wil lsee there are 4 bolts holdin ga bracket, that attaches it to the dash frame. If oyu removes these bolts, teh whoel column will lower down a good 6", making plenty of room to get that cluster off.
I actually got some longer bolts and a bunch of washers, slipped them in there when I re-bolted it, so the column was a bit lower. Virtually teh same as tilt steering....

[AzTumbleweed]

RatLabGuy is right on. There are four bolts that support the steering column. When you remove the bolts the steering wheel will sit in your lap while you work. You have to take the plastic off. I'm talking about the plastic that is around the ignition switch.

[Bobbywolf]

Lol, I should have read this before I got to it.

I managed to drill 2 new holes, then and thread them with a tap. I went at it with the puller again, and this time with sucess. I get the wheel off, and the switch cluster off, and then tried to remove the plastic dash shroud. Still cant get it off due to a mounting point jutting from the ignition portion (the switch cluster screws to it). I then drop the steering column by taking out the 4 bolts, and when I do so, I realized that I could have just done that the whole freaking time!

Oh well, lesson learned. At least I got em swapped out, and learned how to take apart my column to boot lol.

Friggin' Haynes manual, why the hell didn't they show how easily you can drop the column? It floors me to know it took me like 3 hours for something that should have taken 30 mins tops...

[AzTumbleweed]

Next time you'll know. You won't forget this lesson!

Reminds me of the comedian 'Larry the Cable Guy'. He says, "That's like running a marathon and in the last mile finding out you could have used a golf cart"