I am trying to remove the steering wheel:

- two sets of pullers ripped their threads
- hammering the column while pulling doesn't yield anything
- the whole thing's soaked in WD-40 didn't help
- I even froze sprayed the steering column to see if contracting would help

it doesn't move!

I'm so frustrated with the car in the last couple weeks I'm now favoring cutting/hacking things and replacing them than trying to find a way.

So, my question is: can I dremel out the wheel? I was thinking making a hole and then grinding toward the center until it touches the hub. Do you think that would work?

 

I've just tried the puller one more time: now both sides have no thread anymore and are totally smooth!

I also hammered the center hub like hell while pulling, but nothing

 

You must be doing something wrong, because I've pulled the steering wheel many times with a puller with no problems. Drill out the holes and retap them, then use the puller. Don't try to pry the wheel up, you can damage the column. I know it sounds stupid, but did you take the nut off?

 

Are you sure you took the nut off? I pulled the wheel with a $6 Grant puller, in about 5 minutes.

 

yes, I removed the nut, but it feels like the wheel's totally stuck, no play at all.

I hope the night soaking in wd40 will make a difference, but it looks like it's going to take a lot of force to take it out.

I have to either cut the wheel, or drill / tap new holes to try the puller again.

 

WD-40 is not the best penetrating oil. PB Blaster is a lot better.

 

your not doing something right......the bolts are kind of small.....

get a balancer puller and drill/tap the hols to a 3/8 thread.....the bigger bold should help. And the PB blaster......

 

I think I found part of the issue!

when I look around the hub, the wheel is not sitting straight on, one side is about 1/2 mm more in, so something is not straight.

the only time the wheel was ever off was back in 96/97 when the dealer did a service bulletin (airbag wires).

I can take a pic if it explains the problem more. I'll go get some penetrating oil to see if that helps