How hard to take the steering wheel out!

[87-325ic]

same here.

yep.


you might want a small pipe or something on the end of that socket handle, that nut is freakin tight

[Vlad_318iS]

its easy to do it

Without the keys, it is not. Yesterday it took me 30 minutes to completely destroy the lock cylinder. Then after everything looked like hell, I had to hook, a little metal wire inside the cylinder, pull it and at the same time take the steering off. Pulling the wire drops the pin that holds the steering wheel from coming off. It was an Mtech1. In the end I didn't take it because the previous person who wanted to take it off completely destroyed the little ridges that grip the steering rod? Looks like they took the bolt off and started playing tug of war with the S. Wheel.

Acura's lock cylinder is so much easier to break. The BMW one was nearly impossible. I also thought i was gonna go deaf from me banging it with a hammer onto a huge screw driver. Wasn't worth it.

[-Javier-]

its easy to do it

[SamE30e]

yes i am wondering too...i remember finding a junk car with no keys and i wanted the mtech1 3 spoker off of it....but i couldn't get it off after trying for like 15 minutes to break the lock tab so i just left it.

Same, I wanted to get the wheel and the indicator assembly. No dice, it's balls.

[ldsbeaker]

Well.
I'm glad that I read this post. I would have probably looked in the Bentley, but hearing it from so many different people is nice.
Noted, and Thanks!!

[blueapplesoda]

I am wondering if it is possible to take the steering wheel off without the key. OR what is the best way to break the lock cylinder if there is no other way?

yes i am wondering too...i remember finding a junk car with no keys and i wanted the mtech1 3 spoker off of it....but i couldn't get it off after trying for like 15 minutes to break the lock tab so i just left it.

[Vlad_318iS]

I am wondering if it is possible to take the steering wheel off without the key. OR what is the best way to break the lock cylinder if there is no other way?

thanks.

In fact the first time I attempted to remove the wheel, I didn't realize that I had to turn the key. So I spent 30 minutes fighting and wrestling with the wheel to get it off. I even hit it with the sledge hammer a few times. By the time I realized my mistake, there was already metal shavings on the carpet from the inside of the steering wheel.

hahahaa, that made me laugh hella hard.

[Jscotty]

I always use the tab to hold the wheel. I use my 4-way lug wrench to loosen the nut so that i can get the leverage I need.

The few times I had the car towed with the front wheels on the ground, the tab was strong enough to keep the wheels from turning so I cannot imagine that unbolting the steering wheel would put that much more stress on the tab. In fact the first time I attempted to remove the wheel, I didn't realize that I had to turn the key. So I spent 30 minutes fighting and wrestling with the wheel to get it off. I even hit it with the sledge hammer a few times. By the time I realized my mistake, there was already metal shavings on the carpet from the inside of the steering wheel.

[86espowa]

any time your alingment gets out you can just "adjust" via change the steering wheel position hehe

Yeah, until your tires are chewed apart by improper alignment

[PeaveyBassist]

same here.

Also here.

Will

[friday]

I have the three spoke wheel. I pried off the roundel and had to glue it back on. On my wheel the horn button pries off.

[Mike325]

I thought it was bad to use the tab. No?

[fretburnr]

I use this every time with no issue.

same here.

[thereisnoyun]

...

I have 89 325i no airbag, what is the steps to take the oem steering wheel out!

next thread from him probably be, "how do I remove the lug nuts on my wheel, I have standard four lug bottlecaps."

[MR 325]

Do not use the cylinder lock tab, the tab that locks the wheel when you take the key out, to hold the wheel.

I use this every time with no issue.