TheSamba.com :: View topic - 77 beetle Steering removal (plus ignition switch help)

Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:10 pm

i am trying to remove my steering wheel so i can get back to replace my ignition switch. i've looked at alot of online guides but i cant figure out what the trick is to removing the big plastic cover.
my steering wheel looks like this.

Thanks guys

Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:20 pm

need steering wheel puller once you get past the cover I believe (can get them at any autoparts place)

not the same, but similar I think
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=310527

Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:20 pm

It's easy. Just dig your fingers in between the cover and the wheel--that small space that colsses when you press for the horn--and wedge your fingers in and pull towards you (as you're sitting in the seat, of course).

It will seem like you broke something, but not to worry.

Do one arm at a time.

Tim

Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:23 pm

You won't need a puller on your year.

Just loosen the nut; take it out; and yank on the wheel.

Watch out for your chin!

Tim

Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:23 pm

what tim said. you just have to pry at the spokes with your fingers. everytime i do it i get scaredd that i broke it. but it'll be fine. you dont need a puller. atleast i didnt. you will need a good size socket. forget what size.

Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:24 pm

good to know! haven't had to remove mine yet

Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:37 pm

oh yeah! what tim said again. When you feel the need to pound on the rear of the steering wheel with the palms of your hand, watch your face. i still feel that one! ahaha

Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:49 pm

Tim Donahoe wrote: You won't need a puller on your year.

Just loosen the nut; take it out; and yank on the wheel.

Watch out for your chin!

Tim
A good way to get smacked in the face when the wheel breaks loose.

Loosen the nut and leave it on a few turns. That way when it breaks loose it doesn't come all the way off.

Grab the wheel at 10:00 and 2:00 and give it a twist. It will come right off.

Tue Oct 01, 2013 3:48 pm

My method is taking the neg lead off the battery, large flat head screwdriver to gently pop each corner off the horn cover and then, as mentioned, loosen the nut until it's only a few turns on the spindle, then grab and pull without ending up breaking your nose.

Wed Oct 02, 2013 2:58 pm

OK, i pried off the cover with a large screwdriver, it really scared me how much force it took to pry off, now it's stuck somewhere in the center? am i missing something?

thanks

Wed Oct 02, 2013 3:20 pm

moosetacular wrote: OK, i pried off the cover with a large screwdriver, it really scared me how much force it took to pry off, now it's stuck somewhere in the center? am i missing something?

thanks

Rotate 90 degrees left or right and it will come off. you can't pull it straight back. Also, there is the horn wire attached so be careful about that.

Wed Oct 02, 2013 3:25 pm

19super73 wrote: moosetacular wrote: OK, i pried off the cover with a large screwdriver, it really scared me how much force it took to pry off, now it's stuck somewhere in the center? am i missing something?

thanks

Rotate 90 degrees left or right and it will come off. you can't pull it straight back. Also, there is the horn wire attached so be careful about that.

ah knew it was something simple. thanks again!

Wed Oct 02, 2013 5:40 pm

Moose, you have a 1974-on. It has a special cross housing that requires you to do as the last few posters said. Just twist and turn--but don't yank it up too far until you take off the horn wire.

Have fun removing that nut, by the way. Some are on pretty tight. You have to sort of hold the wheel with your thighs as you turn the socket.

Tim

Thu Oct 03, 2013 12:25 pm

after i got the steering wheel off and got the turn and wiper switches out (pull those 2 hoses) i fought to get the key ignition out (took way too long, i drilled the hole in the wrong spot, Doh). whats the trick to get the ignition switch out? Do i have to pull the whole steering column out?

Thanks

Thu Oct 03, 2013 2:33 pm

Take the column out and you'll see how the switch removes.