Can't get my steering wheel off...

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 3:52 pm

This is it, and it's on my 79 528i.

Put in on several weeks back.
Wanted to remove it to make removal of the cluster just a little bit easier.

Took the center nut off and removed the washer.
When trying to pull the wheel off it moves about 1/4 inch and then stops.
I've tried with the key in the off, accessory, and run positions.
Same results.

Any ideas?

FWIW, I got my cluster out and back in w/o removing the wheel.
But, I'd still like to be able to get it off.

Thanks...

Lenny D. · Post by **Lenny D.** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 5:47 pm

If you put it on (and didn't weld it in place!) it has to come off. I suggest a little penetrating oil on the splines. Then wiggle (9 and 3 o'clock) back and forth...or to and fro...whatever...

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 5:51 pm

Lenny D. wrote:If you put it on (and didn't weld it in place!) it has to come off. I suggest a little penetrating oil on the splines. Then wiggle (9 and 3 o'clock) back and forth...or to and fro...whatever...

That's what I thought too.

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 1:00 pm

Sometimes they like a little bang from your hands towards your body to come off. Careful though it doesn't hit you in the face.

DMS · Post by **DMS** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 1:58 pm

Yeah wiggle it but only loosen the nut a few threats instead of taking it completely off.

Or take it completely off and ask your wife to video tape it!! You'll be walking around with BMW punched in your forhead for a day or so. If you take this route please post the video!!

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 6:58 pm

It's almost like the nut, when tightened down, created a collar that the wheel is now hitting against when trying to be removed.

I can take an L shaped awl and when running it up the splines it gets caught at the top edge of the splined part of the shaft.

If, that in fact is the case, how do I grind down this collar.

Lenny D. · Post by **Lenny D.** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 8:44 pm

If you created a collar you have to remove it.

Hmmmnnn.....a hobby file, one spline at a time?

alotawatts · Post by **alotawatts** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 3:28 am

I had to use a rubber mallet and thump on it.
Is that wheel from a 533 ?

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 9:03 am

I believe it's from a 533.

MikeB7 · Post by **MikeB7** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 9:24 am

I haven't had cause to have my wheel off yet, so I'm not sure, but is the E12 like the E21, in that there is a 1/4" collar/spacer that goes on before the wheel?

I forgot this once on an E21, and the result is that the wheel slides too far onto the splines. Then when you tighten the nut, you are tightening against the splined end of the shaft instead of the wheel hub. The result of that is you crush the ends of the splines just enough to prevent the wheel from sliding back off. I had to get in there with picks and small screwdrivers and scrape out/reform the ends of the splines before the wheel would come off.

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 9:10 pm

I think that is exactly what I did.

I've already decided I'm in for a tedious job at some point in time in the future.

T.Hanson · Post by **T.Hanson** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 10:24 pm

realoem.com.

See parts view for assembly (washer, yes, no ).

If yes but yours is no, maybe there's a big wanger wheel puller contraption you can make work, with pads, ropes or other funny stuff for the video.

alotawatts · Post by **alotawatts** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 2:31 am

Did the wheel go on okay / easy.......before you tightened the nut ?
Could the replacement wheel splines have been bitched up but you did not notice ? E.G. Prior owner had a course/fine spline mix up ?

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 9:06 am

Wheel went on without issue.
I'm convinced it's an issue with a collar of buggered splines
created by the nut/washer combo when the knucklehead,

, installed it.
He's been known to do stuff like that.

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 8:26 am

Well, I finally got enough of the alligators out of the way, while draining the swamp,
that I was able to again pay attention to this issue,
and, I wanted to install a Luisi wheel I received from a very generous board member.
Thanks Jerry.

The 'collar' created by the installer,

, had to be removed.
I tried a small file, but I'm just not that patient,
so I went and borrowed my wife's Dremel tool and kit,
which has all these little grinding stones, and cutting bits.
After a few minutes with that little gem she slid right off,
and, the Luisi slid right on.
Not sure why the 533 wheel has, I'm guessing, a shorter spline housing,
or maybe it's as suggested that a rear spacer of some sort should have been there.
The stock wheel doesn't completely cover the shaft's splines when installed,
and neither does this Luisi.
When the 533 was on there,
there was a space at the dashboard side of the wheel between the column housing and the wheel.
If a spacer had been installed it would have created an even larger space.
The original, and this Luisi, fit nearly flush with the housing without issue,
so,

.

Anyway, problem solved, and enough of the splines weren't ground so as to create a safety issue,
and I like the look of the new wheel.

Thanks for the help guys...