Does anyone know the size of the bolts needed to pull the steering wheel on my 1982 ZXT? This has me baffled. I borrowed my mechanic's steering wheel puller set and none of the bolts fit. I even bought a "M10", which is too small, and a "M12", which is too big. The FSM doesn't seem to specify the size - it just refers to a tool numbered ST271800001. Do I have to get this tool to get the steering wheel off? How do you guys get the wheel off? Any help would be appreciated.

 

I forget what size socket I used?? It was big though... I just used a flywheeler puller to get it off.

 

It's the same size as your lug nuts. I use my lug wrench...

 

Should be a 22mm. I pulled my steering wheel just the other day

 

How do you use a lug wrench in conjunction with a steering wheel puller? mine seemed to have a receptacle to put a socket on... mighta misunderstood its use though.

 

Uhhh... You don't need a "steering wheel puller". You just need a 22mm socket with a 3" extension.

Once you unscrew the 22mm nut, you can just pull the steering wheel off.

 

I used my 4 way lug nut remover also on my steering wheel, no puller needed. It is just that big nut and split washer. Pretty sure it's 7/8ths or 22mm

 

Yeah 7/8th's on my end. That is what I use, and a steering wheel puller, I got from the parts store for $16.

 

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear about what I need. There are two threaded holes in the steering wheel on each side of the main nut that are used by the steering wheel puller. Bolts go through the puller into these holes and then the main shaft of the puller is turned. My question referred to the size of the bolts that go into the two holes. It seems from the responses that people don't use these holes and instead just remove the nut on the main shaft, but my steering wheel is really tight on the shaft - maybe I need a rubber mallet?

 

I've always just wiggled mine from side to side and it came loose after a few tugs. It's just 'stuck' from the pressure of the nut. Once the nut is unscrewed, the only thing holding it on is the left-over compression.

 

if you wiggle it enough it will come out.....

 

No puller needed. Just dont pop yourself in the face when you do get it off. I saw this guy do that in the wrecking yard the other day . . .funniest thing ever.

 

Yeah mine was tight too the first time I removed it. I put my hands at 9 and 3 and just quickly with short jerks back and forth wiggled it while pulling and it broke free...just dont have your hands at 11 and 1...you could bend the wheel.

 

If you absolutely must use a puller the one autozone loans out has the proper size bolts for removal.

But as has been said...it's not really necessary. I used one the first time I ever pulled the steering wheel off my Z cause I just could not get that sucker off no matter how hard I tried. Even with the puller it was stubborn to break free. Since then I've been able to pull it off relatively easily without a puller.

 

yea.. and then just pull it off... thats what i did.. imma change mines durning the week... got a quick release, hub, and steering wheel

 

pulling it off wont always work ...mine was so stuck on there when i swaped wheels that i had to have a puller ....i think there 1omm shank bolts ..my puller had them and they fit it good ..when i was pulling apart the dash the other day i had to use the puller to pop the momo hub off ..that dam thing locks them on there pretty good ...

 

the bolts are already on the steering wheel, 13mm bolts 3 of them you only need to use 2 of the 3 to get the wheel off. If it has never been off a puller is great but if it has you wont need the puller use some Pb blaster penetrating lube on a virgin then hammer it that is the bolt in the steering column. Don't mess up the threads a 1/2 " drive extension should work