I need help with a steering wheel swap

protovack · 07-21-2018, 09:43 PM

Okay, I'm switching out my Alcantara wheel for a leather one. I already have the new wheel (from Wildhammer motorsports) ready to go on.

However I cannot get the old steering wheel off. The big torx bolt holding it on the column is just too tight. I'm going to go buy a manual impact driver and hopefully that will do the trick. I also stripped the torx head a little bit trying to get it off with my socket. Not totally stripped but when I do get it off, I'm likely going to need a new bolt to go in there. The bolt is made out of this really soft metal and it strips super easily.

Does anyone know how I might find that part number?

This has been a tough job so far. Getting the air bag out was difficult too but definitely doable and I didn't anticipate not being able to get the bolt out. Entire project is on old for a few days now.

Any tips are appreciated.

protovack · 07-21-2018, 09:54 PM

I think I found it

https://www.newgmparts.com/oem-parts...-bolt-11610164

Glen e · 07-22-2018, 06:25 PM

Take it to Midas or a muffler shop to just use their air wrench on the bolt. Nothing more, just get one of their techs to use their air…

protovack · 07-24-2018, 08:26 PM

Got my manual impact driver in the mail today. Didn't even budge. I wacked on it for 30 minutes with a big mallet and it did not budge a millimeter.

Took car down to Les Schwaab to see if they'd let me use their air gun and they said they "don't do anything like that".

This is insane. How much torque do you have to apply to overcome loctite blue?

The torx head is starting to strip pretty bad as well. My Torx socket driver still engages but its starting to look dicey.

Will be making an appointment with my local mechanic at this point.

I really thought I was going to be able to do this in my garage, but this one has me beat.

protovack · 07-24-2018, 11:19 PM

Torx head totally stripped
it is going to need to get drilled out and extracted
Ugh.

protovack · 07-29-2018, 03:57 AM

Took it to the shop, they took a hammer and long chisel to the bolt and it came off. They installed the new wheel for me to, so problem solved.

The leather wheel is so much better! After doing the swap and looking back, the alcantara was really annoying me. That feeling is totally gone. I enjoy getting into my car and grabbing the wheel now. Phew.

07-21-2018, 09:43 PM	#1
protovack Drives: 2019 2LT 2.0T M6 Riverside Blue Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: WA Posts: 847	I need help with a steering wheel swap Okay, I'm switching out my Alcantara wheel for a leather one. I already have the new wheel (from Wildhammer motorsports) ready to go on. However I cannot get the old steering wheel off. The big torx bolt holding it on the column is just too tight. I'm going to go buy a manual impact driver and hopefully that will do the trick. I also stripped the torx head a little bit trying to get it off with my socket. Not totally stripped but when I do get it off, I'm likely going to need a new bolt to go in there. The bolt is made out of this really soft metal and it strips super easily. Does anyone know how I might find that part number? This has been a tough job so far. Getting the air bag out was difficult too but definitely doable and I didn't anticipate not being able to get the bolt out. Entire project is on old for a few days now. Any tips are appreciated.

07-22-2018, 06:25 PM	#3
Glen e Retired from Car mfrs.... Drives: 2LT RS/HR-V Join Date: May 2013 Location: /Fort Lauderdale Posts: 10,048	Take it to Midas or a muffler shop to just use their air wrench on the bolt. Nothing more, just get one of their techs to use their air… __________________ Glen CLICK HERE for detailing a new car: detailing for non detailers CLICK HERE for how to rinseless CLICK HERE for EASY wheel sealant

07-21-2018, 09:54 PM	#2
protovack Drives: 2019 2LT 2.0T M6 Riverside Blue Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: WA Posts: 847	I think I found it https://www.newgmparts.com/oem-parts...-bolt-11610164

07-24-2018, 08:26 PM	#4
protovack Drives: 2019 2LT 2.0T M6 Riverside Blue Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: WA Posts: 847	Got my manual impact driver in the mail today. Didn't even budge. I wacked on it for 30 minutes with a big mallet and it did not budge a millimeter. Took car down to Les Schwaab to see if they'd let me use their air gun and they said they "don't do anything like that". This is insane. How much torque do you have to apply to overcome loctite blue? The torx head is starting to strip pretty bad as well. My Torx socket driver still engages but its starting to look dicey. Will be making an appointment with my local mechanic at this point. I really thought I was going to be able to do this in my garage, but this one has me beat.

07-24-2018, 11:19 PM	#5
protovack Drives: 2019 2LT 2.0T M6 Riverside Blue Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: WA Posts: 847	Torx head totally stripped it is going to need to get drilled out and extracted Ugh.

07-29-2018, 03:57 AM	#6
protovack Drives: 2019 2LT 2.0T M6 Riverside Blue Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: WA Posts: 847	Took it to the shop, they took a hammer and long chisel to the bolt and it came off. They installed the new wheel for me to, so problem solved. The leather wheel is so much better! After doing the swap and looking back, the alcantara was really annoying me. That feeling is totally gone. I enjoy getting into my car and grabbing the wheel now. Phew.

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