Dumb Steering Wheel Question

[prb44t]

So I need a sanity check... I did an OBC upgrade today and got everything reassembled without issue, except for the steering wheel. It is an '89 with 3 spoke (no airbag, no multifunction).

I can't seem to slide the steering wheel onto the shaft where splines meet splines. I can only get the steering wheel to rest on the thinner part of the shaft where the nut will slide on. I've got it scored and lined up on the marks, but it won't slide down...

am I missing something? Is there a trick?

[atomic]

I assume it is the same wheel you had taken off?

If so it sounds like you are not holding your mouth right...

or you might need to put your key in the ignition so it will unlock.


:D

[Tom O]

Try putting the key in the ignition and turning it to position 1. The problem may be your steering wheel lock.

[prb44t]

it's the same wheel I just took off. I have the key in position 1. The wheel isn't sliding down enough to reach the wheel lock anyways. the shaft has a ramp up increase in diameter to the splines, and the wheel won't make it past.

here are some pics of the where the wheel will rest now. The shaft and back of steering wheel...

[atomic]

From the looks of the last picture the wheel is not going on straight (maybe it is the angle of how the picture was taken). The fine splines can make it tough unless you have it perfectly straight to go on.

[prb44t]

yeah, it's a bad pic. when I hold and manipulate the wheel I can center it on the shaft but it still won't slide. I try moving it back and forth and side to side but still no luck..

it's cold here today, maybe heat gun on the steering wheel and try and get it to expand a little?

[prb44t]

thanks for the help everyone. A few tries with the heat gun and the wheel slipped right on.