Steering Wheel

[speedingboris]

Hi Guys

Does any one know how to remove steering wheel of Mk3? There is an odd looking bolt holding it up and I can't work out how to unscrew it. Haynes bible is not being much help either. Any ideas?

Also am getting a new steering wheel from e-bay (there is one there for 37) I know CCI do an 80 re-trim job but that's a bit expensive does any one know of any other ones I can get on a budget?

[capri_turbo]

prise out the centre bit with the "ford" badge on it and look down the hole... you'll see a big nut (think it's 24mm) this holds the wheel onto the column. Simply undo this nut, but, and this is important... leave it on the last few threads as you'll need to apply some force behind the wheel to remove it and it'll smack you in the face... leaving the nut on a few turns prevents a broken nose and 2 black eyes...

A Capri is for life... NOT just for Christmas

[speedingboris]

Thanks for that broken nose would have gone down a treat with the misus but the nut on mu car is round with a dip in the middle. I once read somewhere that you are supposed to use a drill bit to get it out but that did not make much sense to me.

[SpikeCapri]

just use a socke set with an extension piece---------

RING RING RING RING RING RING BANANAPHONE

[no2lurch]

i use one. good leverage.

[Stefan Capri]

and a extender bar, worked for me fine, and i mush have been lucky, no broken nose and 2 black eyes


.....stefan

[nigecapri]

you might be thinking about the anti-tamper screws that hold the steering lock mechanism/ignition barrel etc. under the plastic cover.
Main wheel nut is as said, under the ford badge in centre of wheel.

[tck]

you need to find a mate whos built like a Gorilla!..Ive failed to remove a couple without having to resort to a BIG hammer (windscreen removed of course)....the buggers can be so tight sometimes!..(and its 22mm by the way not 24MM)...as said, leave the nuts on a couple of threads, then bang it with BOTH ands from behind..9 times out of ten they will pop off the splines!

[SpikeCapri]

yeah, i pulled on it for ages and by the time i was done i was knackered :')

Seriosly though, the idea to leave nut on a few threads is a good idea, wish i'd have thought of it, got away unscathed but the fear was there---------

RING RING RING RING RING RING BANANAPHONE

[speedingboris]

Thank you all

will have a go this weekend and let you know

if get a black eye will post pictures!

[cooltina]

Undo nut, leave on 3 or 4 turns then whack the face of the wheel with both hands (from the top) moving round, 3 & 9, then 6 & 12 ect, never not had one come off this way and i strip fords for a living.

[80s-new-man]

It’s an older thread, but I’m trying to see a way to actually undo the nut. If I try and undo it with a 22mm socket the wheel will just try and go round. If I try and whack it with the steering lock on, I’m afraid I’ll bust the steering lock…
How do I start!

Thanks

[stevemarl]

Basically grip it as hard as you can, maybe wedge your knee into the wheel and use a long bar on your socket! Maybe you hold the wheel with both hands and knees and someone else undoes the nut. I don`t think they`re as tight as you might expect but IIRC they have a toothed serration underneath to stop coming loose and that takes a bit of torque to overcome. (but you`re probably right - don`t use the steering lock?)

Oh, and leave the nut on when you`ve loosened it otherwise you`ll pull the wheel off and punch yourself in the mouth. I know.

[Andrew 2.8i]

How do I start

I see what you mean about damaging the lock, as I'm wary of that myself.
When I did mine, I think I just held the steering wheel with my hand to stop it turning.
Once you've got the nut loosened, don't fully take it off. You may need to tug the steering wheel quite hard to get it off the splines, and you really don't want to whack yourself in the face !


Andrew.

[stevemarl]

Great minds Andrew

[Andrew 2.8i]

Great minds Andrew

One great mind and one copycat. I'm the copycat, of course !

[Peter-S]

My experience is that with a longer wrench the steering lock will cope with the torque. I can't guarantee it though

[Major_Tom]

It’s an older thread, but I’m trying to see a way to actually undo the nut. If I try and undo it with a 22mm socket the wheel will just try and go round. If I try and whack it with the steering lock on, I’m afraid I’ll bust the steering lock…
How do I start!

Thanks

Jeez, I know they say the planet's resources are running low, but you are still allowed to compose a new thread! We're not running out of server space yet.

[Mc Tool]

The steering lock is a ¼inch slab of steel that fits into a slot on the steering stem at a point where its about an inch in diameter...... I doubt that you would damage that .
I think I just wound the wheel to full lock and then leaned on the nut . As above ,they aint that tight .
After the spline there is a tapered shoulder and I spose its possible that the wheel may lock on to this taper but its about 45 deg so not that likely , just dont swing on it when you refit the wheel .

[Andrew 2.8i]

For reference, the steering wheel retaining nut should be tightened to 27 to 34 Nm.

Andrew.