How to Remove a Steering Wheel, Teleflex and Tapered Bolt on a Boat
- 1). Use a screwdriver to remove the single screw that holds the Teleflex steering wheel hub cover in place. Set the hub cover aside.
- 2). Spray the tapered steering wheel shaft nut--the big nut in the center of the steering wheel hub--with a WD-40. Allow the lubricant to set on the nut and the tapered steering wheel shaft for 30 minutes.
- 3). Instruct a helper to hold the wheel steady by its rim. Position an adjustable wrench onto the steering wheel shaft nut and turn the wrench clockwise. When the nut comes off of the tapered shaft, remove the washer beneath it. Use a large screwdriver to remove the 8/32 x 1 inch tapered screw from the end of the tapered steering shaft.
- 4). Grasp the wheel rim. Gently rock the wheel from side to side to loosen it on the tapered steering shaft. Pull the wheel toward you while rocking. The wheel will come off of the shaft, and the Woodruff key--a small, flat piece of metal that holds the wheel in alignment with the shaft--will fall away from the shaft. Set the wheel aside.
- 5). Set the Teleflex steering wheel hub cover on top of the wheel. Insert the screw into the wheel hub cover and tighten it in place with the screwdriver. Return the Woodruff key to its slot on the side of the steering wheel and thread the nut back onto the steering wheel shaft. Use tape to secure the tapered screw to the rim of the wheel.
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