Removing steering wheel hub?

The Oily Bits S1 Specific Topics
1

I’m sure this is dead easy and it’s just me, but I want to swap the aftermarket Alcantara steering wheel that came with the Exige for a snap off removable one having been able to collect all the pieces I need.

I removed the steering wheel and the nut onto the column and thought the old hub would just come off. But it’s on there rock solid. I don’t want to force anything as it feels this is me not the car!

I can’t see any other bolts etc. Anyone else done this is there a trick or something I’m missing?

A few photos for reference - thank you

2

It’s a tapered spline so either get a proper puller or bolt the wheel back on and put the nut on a couple of threads (so it doesn’t smack you in the face!) And then wiggle the wheel at the 9 and 3 position till it pops.

3

This works well, get your legs under the wheel to push and pull with your arms but DO put the nut on or it will hurt a lot and you will have a wheel imprint on your face!

4

Thank you both - I will be testing the non wheel in face technic shortly!

5

Just for those following the exciting saga of removing a steering hub. I tried the wiggling method no joy.

I googled for the correct tool

Being a cheapskate thought I could make my own…

Unfortunately it clearly needs some proper pull not light pressure to remove, as it’s bent my metal cross piece which I thought was plenty man enough…

May have to give in and order one. Feels properly locked on I have to say…

6

The problem with the puller is you may (will) bend the impact cage that it’s braced against, I have done that! You will have to bend it back into shape.

7

Keep at it, alternate 9/3 with 12/6 and she’ll pop eventually… Hopefully!

8

Thanks for the advice really appreciated it. I kept wiggling it without success. So reverted to my home made puller but braced with a couple of spanner so it couldn’t bend. When it eventually popped off I did nearly ***t myself at bang :flushed::rofl::joy:

Wheel now swapped, snap off fitted. Think I’ll be dying the red to black otherwise we’ll chuffed.

9

I used a combination of a balljoint splitter (take it apart, use only the one half with the threaded bit), large washers on the end of the column/securing nut to protect it and spanners to brace against the cage. Using that contraption to put a constant tension on it I pulled, wiggled and gave some taps with a rubber hammer on the back of the steering wheel. It’s scary though, especially if you read all the stories of people collapsing the steering columns!

10

I have to say its not a job I intend to ever repeat! Was relieved when it popped and was off and nothing damaged.

11

Your car is identical to mine, yellow, snap off and red wheel. That’s how it left the factory. It had a omp flat bottomed wheel when I purchased it which I could not get on with on the skid pan at Rockingham. I had a red wheel in my spares box and swapped it.

12

If I ever get round to getting a snap-off wheel (and I’ve been thinking of it for a decade), I reckon I’ll just take it to a “man who can”.
Entertaining read, glad you escaped injury :thumbup:

13

I think I’d just pay the £10 for the correct tool - I just didn’t want to admit defeat having started😂