Steering wheels are pressed onto a tapered, splined column shaft and held tight with a nut. Once the nut is off, the wheel remains jammed on the splines. A steering wheel puller bolts into the threaded holes on the wheel hub. The puller's center bolt is then turned against the steering shaft, pulling the wheel upward. Trying to pull the wheel off by hand can bend the steering column or break the clock spring assembly.
Mechanic Glossary
Steering Wheel Puller
A mechanical puller tool designed to safely pull a steering wheel off a splined steering column shaft without causing damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most older domestic vehicles require a puller. Many modern imports do not have puller holes and rely on tapping the wheel from behind, but a puller is always the safest option.
Striking the shaft will deform the threads, ruin the column bearings, or damage the airbag sensor if the battery is connected.
Thread the two side bolts into the steering wheel hub slots, ensuring the puller bar is parallel to the wheel face.