Removing a steering wheel is pretty darned easy these days with the new fangled tools created by companies like Lisle, KD and OTC. If you would like to know how to remove your steering wheel, leaving your index fingers intact on each hand, then this is the article for you!

The first step is to remove the steering wheel. Without the steering wheel removed first you cannot remove the lock plate; it sits under the steering wheel. The lock plate tool screws onto the steering shaft where the steering wheel nut was removed. The tool pushes the lock plate down to remove the retainer ring that holds the lock plate to the shaft. The big spring under the lock plate is what makes this tool nice. Lisle and KD both make a good lock plate remover of similar quality, but the Lisle is a bit less expensive in our store. These lock plate removers work on most tilt and telescopic steering wheels.

The guys in our stores say you shouldn't fight the steering wheel by hassling around trying to get the snap ring off of the lock plate. Its so much easier with a lock plate remover that most guys don't bother monkeying with the pliers. It also saves you quite a bit of embarassing cursing and throwing things around the garage or driveway in front of your kids.

Next, take the nut off of the steering column and pull your steering wheel using a steering wheel puller. Lisle and KD both make steering wheel pullers, which are pretty generic. Many of the imported steering wheel pullers can be just as good to work with, especially for home use, so if you are trying to save a few bucks you might want to think about picking up a less expensive imported puller.

If you have a tilt wheel, then you are going to need to remove the pivot pin. Ford and GM products have pivot pins on their steering wheels. Some telescopic steering wheels also have pivot pins, and a pivot pin remover will work on those steering wheels, too. The pivot pin on a steering wheel can't be pushed through. In fact, you can get yourself in a pickle if you keep trying to push it through because it can seat and then you'll have a heck of a time getting it out. With a pivot pin removal tool you can pull it right out and save yourself a lot of angst.

Good luck getting your steering wheel off and we hope we steered you straight! (Hey now, no emails about our bad jokes)