Anyone managed to successfully remove the steering boss?!

[Dischordant]

Hi guys - Really struggling with removing the steering boss - before I continue to try I want to check I am doing the right thing:
I tried first of all undoing the nut part way and giving the wheel a good yank/tap with hammer etc to try to get it off the tapered column - to no avail. So I've bought a 3 armed puller - but it still doesn't seem to be budging. I don't need to undo the nuts on the boss aswell do I? At the moment they spin in place if I try to unscrew them so i will need to get behind if they do need undoing.



Grateful for any help! =)

[Rich912]

It should come off with the method your using now but I have known them to be extremely tight, have you tried shocking it with a hammer a few times.

If I need to remove mine I undo the nut and bolts round the outside, I use a ball head Allen key to stop the bolt spinning from the back. You need to move the steering wheel to line up each bolt.

Rich

[Rich912]

It should come off with the method your using now but I have known them to be extremely tight, have you tried shocking it with a hammer a few times.

If I need to remove mine I undo the nut and bolts round the outside, I use a ball head Allen key to stop the bolt spinning from the back. You need to move the steering wheel to line up each bolt.

Rich

[MartH70]

Just done this, do not use the puller on the front of the boss as you will bend it! Remove the pod and then the puller will go on the back of the boss and just pull it straight off.
To remove the pod undo 1 screw on each side at the back, remove the 3 plugs and lift off the top cover. Undo the 3 screws underneath and remove the lower cover.
Then undo the 4 screw on the back of the clocks, carefully pull out the big connector and the pod will be off. Any more questions just ask

Martin

[Dischordant]

Thanks Rich. So I shouldn't have to remove the golden nuts - the gold section and dark grey metal section should be able to come off together?
Is removing those nuts using the method you've given an alternative to the above?

I've tried shocking with a hammer and tried to find a way to hold in place the screws attached to the golden bolts but can't seem to find a way in.

I have not gone "full force" with the hammer yet - if you assure me it's definitely just the 1 bolt that needs taking off I'll give it some welly!

[Dischordant]

Cheers Martin - the puller method seems to be just chewing itself up - it can't handle the strain =/ Good call on the boss being stretched but I think my puller metal/the rod is my weak point and I have a new boss to fit. I will try your method of removing the pod if this fails to give me better leverage with the hammer otherwise. . !

[Rich912]

Yes removing the outer bolts would allow you to change the boss, get the bolt you want to remove to the 5 o,clock position in relation to the steering wheel and then a long ball head Allen key from the back, the lower cowl needs to be removed.

[Dischordant]

So its impossible to remove the boss without undoing the golden screws?

Sorry I'm getting confused!

I've removed all the cowelling now - I had to do this anyhow to redye it so it's all good!

Trying to find the back of the screw with an allenkey but I haven't been successful yet.

[Rich912]

The way you are trying will remove the boss with the spline still bolted to it. Once out you will be able to undo the bolts around the outside so you can change the boss.

[Rich912]

It is possible to get to the bolts around the outside before removing the boss. Put the bolt you want to remove to the 5 o'clock position in relation to the steering wheel and then use a ball head Allen key, the Allen key won't fit in all the way but enough to stop it spinning. A normal Allen key won't do it.

[Dischordant]

I have now ordered some ball head allenkeys - to be continued on Friday! Thanks so much =)

[Dischordant]

Anyone know what size will fit into the screw to hold it in place to unscrew it or what the screw head looks like? I can't get a look at it for the life of me =/

[Rich912]

I'm pretty sure it's one like this and it's either 6 or 8 mm. I am going of memory as I don't have access to my car right now.

[Dischordant]

Awesome will try again in the daylight tomo

[Dischordant]

It's off!!!

You were spot on about it having to be a ball head allen key - the angle at which it needs to be inserted makes a standard allen key impossible to wedge in sufficiently to hold the screw. Once I took the car out the car port this afternoon and stuck my head in the footwell I could see the little culprits sufficiently to lock them in place while unscewing. I had success with a size 5 (no idea unit) ball head allen key in case anyone wonders for future reference though in theory you do not need to remove this section to take the boss off, if yours was well and truly stuck on as mine was, then it helps.
I then tried a good pull and hammer - neither managed to make it come off.
I then retried with a 3 pronged puller (medium size of the set of 3 you can order from amazon for £12) and though the puller itself was near to breaking point suddenly it came free.

Now fitted the momo millenium and tested horn works but need to take for a drive tomorrow to check it is aligned correctly for turning indicators on off and is straight.

V. Happy and couldn't have done it without your advice =)

[Rich912]

Glad you got it sorted.

[Dischordant]

End result:



(it should look better once I dye the leather and change the carpets to match!)

Edited by Dischordant on Sunday 4th May 09:57