Polaris Steering Wheel RANT and Removal Tips

8421 Views 52 Replies 10 Participants Last post by captaingene, Jul 15, 2019

BKL

Discussion Starter · May 3, 2018

Just went thru the experience of pulling my steering wheel, so it's time to rant!

Hey, Polaris, remember you used Metric threads just about everywhere else on the Slingshot, IIRC, so why were 10-32 threaded holes used on the steering wheel meaning none of the normally available steering wheel pullers can work? RANT over.

You'll need two 3" - 10-32 screws. 2/5" might work, but 3" gives some leeway.

I first went to Oreilly and rented their steering wheel puller because it looked like it could accommodate a wide variety of steering wheel bolt sizes. Unfortunately, it didn't include 10-32 screws ( I won't dignify Polaris' choice as a bolt). Also, the "H"-shaped pulling piece was too wide for the 10-32 crews to be inserted, so I had to return it unfinished.

Fortunately, the OEM brand Steering wheel puller I got from Autozone, while it lacked the needed size screws, was narrow enough to allow both 10-32 screws to be attached to the steering wheel. I used fender washers so the 10-32 screw heads didn't fall thru the puller arms and had to bend a portion of each fender washer to clear the puller bolt.

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captaingene

· #21 · Jul 11, 2019

Rider said:
I've never had it off, so don't know if there is room, but if the hole is stripped, can it be drilled out and re-tapped to a larger size?

I was thinking the samething but the threads on stock steering wheel there is metal behind it. So I was thinking drill n tap it just not sure it will work. Thinking of going to 10/24 thread. N give it a try.
Tried longer screws but i pulled one out of threads on wheel. Never believed it would be so hard after watching slingmods video. On removal of wheel. Mine has rust. Maybe heating it up some how.

SlingLow

· #22 · Jul 11, 2019

When I said screw, I was talking about a course thread wood screw and jam it in until it gets purchase...

captaingene

· #23 · Jul 11, 2019

SlingLow said:
When I said screw, I was talking about a course thread wood screw and jam it in until it gets purchase...

Good Idea. When in home depot I will grab a bunch of different screws n see what will hold. Need something better then WD 40 to help break the rust up

SlingLow

· #24 · Jul 11, 2019

captaingene said:
Good Idea. When in home depot I will grab a bunch of different screws n see what will hold. Need something better then WD 40 to help break the rust up

I think that once you get the puller to bite it will come right off. That's what mine did. Before that I didn't think dynamite would budge it. Good luck!

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage caused by implementation of my hare-brained ideas. Signed: SlingLow the Depreciator

Rider

· #25 · Jul 11, 2019

captaingene said:
...on stock steering wheel there is metal behind it. So I was thinking drill n tap it just not sure it will work...

You can get taps that are designed for holes with bottoms, they don't have a taper.
Drill America #10-24 High Speed Steel Tap Set-DWT54332 - The Home Depot

captaingene

· #26 · Jul 11, 2019

Rider said:
You can get taps that are designed for holes with bottoms, they don't have a taper.
Drill America #10-24 High Speed Steel Tap Set-DWT54332 - The Home Depot

Thanks. Doesnt look like home depot stock this tap set. I am sure northern tool or Ace hardware will have tap set I am thinking once i can get puller to hold in place alittle heat from small torch n some wd 40 will work. Well that is my plan this afternoon.

captaingene

· #27 · Jul 11, 2019

SlingLow said:
I think that once you get the puller to bite it will come right off. That's what mine did. Before that I didn't think dynamite would budge it. Good luck!

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage caused by implementation of my hare-brained ideas. Signed: SlingLow the Depreciator

Thanks for encouragement lol heading to find screws n tap set

captaingene

· #28 · Jul 11, 2019

Got to love when I 10 min upgrade takes a complete afternoon. Well atleast its raining so not lost riding time

BKL

Discussion Starter · #29 · Jul 11, 2019

You might try using a hammer to beat around the wheel rim (side of the wheel closest to engine first, then from the driver side if that doesn't loosen the wheel and maybe then you can get it to pop loose. Also, try some PB Blaster or similar penetrating oil and let it sit for a couple hours/overnight. IIRC, I ended up letting the PB Blaster penetrate overnight when I removed my stock steering wheel..

captaingene

· #30 · Jul 11, 2019

Update
Frustrated to say the least... I tapped the holes n used 12/24 boths. Held puller in place. The only problems is as you place pressure on main nut yhe puller starts to twist n msin both starts sliding off shaft since the head of the bolt is not tapered. So i had alot if pressure on puller n then got mini torch n heated metal to 275 on my head gun n sprayed some wd 40 n other rust penetrating sprays then hit the main nut on puller with hammer n guess what. Nothing. Didnt loose nor move. I have come to the Kahlua have come to the conclusion that the steering wheel is seized on to the shaft with rust don't know what else to do besides cut the steering wheel off and get a different pull up and grab the metal and pull it off I don't know

captaingene

· #31 · Jul 11, 2019

Does anyone know of a better puller then the $20 puller thst works on easy to remove steering wheels. I can't be the only slingshot owner with steering wheel that won't come off shaft.
Anyone know what is under the black plastic if i was to cut stock wheel off n only left with the metal? How hard is it to remove steering wheel shaft from rhe steering column???

Ulflyer

· #32 · Jul 11, 2019

You've prob already looked at this fiche, but if not, it will give you a view of how the steering wheel is attached.
OEM Service & Replacement Parts | Polaris Slingshot Store

captaingene

· #33 · Jul 12, 2019

Ulflyer said:
You've prob already looked at this fiche, but if not, it will give you a view of how the steering wheel is attached.
OEM Service & Replacement Parts | Polaris Slingshot Store

Great info.
Anyone have old stock steering wheel i can buy cheap. I want to cut it apart n see what metal is left so i csn figure out a better puller to get it off.
Heated it up to 285 with mini torch again tonight spent 30 min tapping n hitting around the wheel n pulling n trying to move it sideway. It wont budge. It must be rusted in place. Si frustrating so far spent 5 hours trying to get it off. Open to any suggestions

wokka

· #34 · Jul 12, 2019

You can have mine, just pay shipping. I'll send it USPS in whatever box they have that it will fit in. PM me your address and I'll reply with my paypal info.

BKL

Discussion Starter · #35 · Jul 12, 2019

This puller from Amazon has a rotating tip to avoid the problems you experienced - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0172I7QWC/. I had a heck of a time removing my stock Slingshot steering wheel and even tried a couple of different rental pullers from the auto parts stores. My post # 29, above describes what I did to let PB Blaster soak overnight and help break the steering wheel's set on the column.

captaingene

· #36 · Jul 12, 2019

wokka said:
You can have mine, just pay shipping. I'll send it USPS in whatever box they have that it will fit in. PM me your address and I'll reply with my paypal info.

Thanks wooka. I just heated up shaft n metal inside steering wheel had all metal up to 250 on my heat gun gauge. Then spray PD penetrating oil. Hot n tapped wheel with metal hammer on main shift nut n 5 lb rubber mallet all around wheel. Grabbed , rocked . pulled , banged for good 30 mins n nothing. Actually heated it twice after. I regrouped. This fucken wheel will not budge. Yes there us sone rust but i even bent the main screw on the puller placing so much torque on it earlier. Its now soaking with PD penetrating oil. Try again in morning.
I am determined to change this wheel after waiting 3 weeks for my assault wheel n hub from slingmods. I watched that wheel removal video n just have to laugh my ass off. After2 yrs n 4000 miles its not that easy to remove. My mechanic told me to bring it by his shop. Maybe he has something. Rant over goodnight lol

captaingene

· #37 · Jul 12, 2019

2

Few pics

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Ulflyer

· #38 · Jul 12, 2019

If you have a good cutting wheel, why not cut off excess plastic around the metal insert which has splines, then carefully cut the insert nearly thru, then hammer a wedge/screwdriver in the slot and it should crack off.

PS: the metal insert is about 1/2 in thick, and simple molded into the steering wheel.

wokka

· #39 · Jul 12, 2019

I sent captaingene this image last night, but in case anyone else needs to see this.

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SlingLow

· #40 · Jul 12, 2019

Quick question @captaingene : Are you using the u-shaped puller with the open side down or up? I started with the open side up per the Slingmods video and pulled the welded nut off the back of it. When they replaced it I used it with the open side down and the bolts were too short. I found a couple that worked and finally got my wheel off.

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