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I am trying to remove steering wheel to install auto pilot. I popped out decorative plastic cover (in the center of the wheel) and unscrewed 3/4” nut and removed two washers. The steering wheel is not coming out free when I try pulling it out from the shaft.

Is there anything else that holds the wheel besides ¾” nut? If not should I just keep pulling until the wheel comes off the shaft?

Your advice is greatly appreciated!

Did this a few weeks ago. there is nothing more to remove, it is just being held by friction/corrosion. I used a small 3 legged puller, and it popped right off. watch out for the little 'key' as it comes off, I spent a 'few happy minutes' searching for it.....

for the record I am having trouble too - the PO put a big steering wheel on, and although it feels,and looks great, it is a PITA to move around, so I am going back to the small one - unfortunately the big one isn't coming off, even tried laying on my back and pushing it off with my legs. I bought a "4 set" of gear pullers, but even teh smallest one wouldn't fit in there. I returned them and bought an even more expesive single puller -- kinda long and skinny, but only 2 arm. I hope it work, this is getting pretty frustrating.

think penitrating oil might help??

kev.

I recall having trouble getting the arms in too, took several attempts. You could try penetrating oil, can't hurt. you might be able to force the leg in on the puller if you have a big enough hose clip (to stop them splaying). It really was a PITA.

I used two screw drivers, one under each side. Alternating pulls.

WHRoeder wrote:I used two screw drivers, one under each side. Alternating pulls.

I tried that first, but was worried about breaking the plastic cup under the wheel. That's why I went for the puller, I also tried a few knocks with a hammer, but decided that would either visibly damage the finish or even bend the wheel out of shape..

Depending on what the screwdrivers are reacting against, I'd be concerned about damaging the gearbox behind it. A puller, which reacts against the shaft to which the wheel is stuck, is the best way to go.

Any chance a bearing separator and puller would fit behind the wheel?

Got it!!! Used a lot of penetrating oil and let it sit for 2 hours. Then was able to remove the wheel by pulling it by hand and tapping on a shaft with a hammer.

I remember mine was tough...you may want to put a little lithium grease on the shaft when replacing it to help prevent it seizing in the future..

Tell us more about your autopilot!

Matt19020 wrote:you may want to put a little lithium grease on the shaft when replacing it to help prevent it seizing in the future..

Good idea. Thanks!

BOAT wrote:Tell us more about your autopilot!

It is Autohelm 4000. Bought it used on EBay. It is one with flux gate compass built into control head. Tested it on a bench - works good. Hopefully it will work good in the water too. The only bad thing about it is that the motor is hitting the pedestal no matter how you mount the wheel . I am going to cut 2" hole in the pedestal for the motor.

I am wondering if somebody else ran into this problem.

Not that it helps you, but I had an Autohelm 4000 (or a similar one) on my Hunter, which had a murch larger pedestal. The motor fit into a hole drilled through the pedestal, and just floated in the hole. Worked just fine, and when I removed the wheel (like overnighting in a marina), the motor went with the wheel. The motor had a rubber plug on the end to seal it up when the wheel was pulled. Easy peasy.

tkanzler wrote:Not that it helps you, but I had an Autohelm 4000 (or a similar one) on my Hunter, which had a murch larger pedestal. The motor fit into a hole drilled through the pedestal, and just floated in the hole. Worked just fine, and when I removed the wheel (like overnighting in a marina), the motor went with the wheel. The motor had a rubber plug on the end to seal it up when the wheel was pulled. Easy peasy.

This is exactly how I am setting it up. Thanks!

Same here... had to remove wheel for Sportpilot install...can remember its a tapered shaft...so applied pressure to both sides of wheel with my knees/legs and very firm hit directly on the end of the shaft with nut still installed loosely so as not to damage any thread and it just popped off....the technique is the same for cars/trucks although the whole column is probably more substantial in a motor vehicle.
One thing though....autopilots are great...would not want to do without!!!