Removing helm wheel

[AMK Endless Sum]

I need to remove my wheel to access an engine control panel for some diagnostics. See photo and let me know if you have experience with or advice. I've loosened all six mounting bolts and can't free up the wheel to remove. Next step is to tap a flathead screwdriver in the slot -- but expect possible marring of the metal finish. Ideas?

[Bowdrie]

I think you'll find that those 6 bolts just hold the two halves of the hub together to capture the spokes.
How about contacting the maker of the wheel/steering gear.

[s/v Jedi]

Lookslike a nut in the center that can be turned with a winch handle?

[Kello]

Those six nuts hold two pieces that sandwich together to hold the spokes. +1 for Jedi and the winch handle idea.

[Calif.Ted]

Looks like a Lewmar folding wheel? Put the bolts back in the hub and remove the nut in the center using winch handle as suggested above.

[malbert73]

You’ll also have to remove the wheel pilot ring that’s attached to the spokes

[Calif.Ted]

Originally Posted by malbert73

You’ll also have to remove the wheel pilot ring that’s attached to the spokes

I think he'll just need to undo the power plug and can leave the wheel drive attached to the wheel.

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by AMK Endless Sum

I need to remove my wheel to access an engine control panel for some diagnostics. See photo and let me know if you have experience with or advice. I've loosened all six mounting bolts and can't free up the wheel to remove. Next step is to tap a flathead screwdriver in the slot -- but expect possible marring of the metal finish. Ideas?

The wheel is undoubtedly mounted on a tapered shaft with a key-way. It will be quite difficult to remove without a gear puller.

Once you get a LOT of strain on the puller (be very, very careful) get two HEAVY steel hammers. Place one firmly against the hub and give the other side of the hub a sharp hit. The wheel should detach from the hub.

[coopec43]

This might help also.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc79NXK28iE

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by coopec43

The wheel is undoubtedly mounted on a tapered shaft with a key-way. It will be quite difficult to remove without a gear puller.

Once you get a LOT of strain on the puller (be very, very careful) get two HEAVY steel hammers. Place one firmly against the hub and give the other side of the hub a sharp hit. The wheel should detach from the hub.

A gear puller and "Violence" is highly unlikely to be neccesary! The wheel is mostl likely on a straight shaft. Once you remove the nut, it should slide off. Just don't loose the shaft key while it slides out. The shaft for a ships wheel is almost never on a tapered shaft.

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by pcmm

A gear puller and "Violence" is highly unlikely to be neccesary! The wheel is mostl likely on a straight shaft. Once you remove the nut, it should slide off. Just don't loose the shaft key while it slides out. The shaft for a ships wheel is almost never on a tapered shaft.

Wheels


Lewmarhttps://www.lewmar.com › Catalogue › GB-Pages

Lewmar uses industry standard 25mm/1" tapered keyed shaft to ensure positive fit of the steering wheel. The 30mm/1 3∕16" taper shaft is only used in custom .

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by coopec43

Wheels


Lewmarhttps://www.lewmar.com › Catalogue › GB-Pages

Lewmar uses industry standard 25mm/1" tapered keyed shaft to ensure positive fit of the steering wheel. The 30mm/1 3∕16" taper shaft is only used in custom .

Must be a relatively new standard... I've not helped anyone with a wheel where the shaft is tapered. They are universally straight shafts

[s/v Jedi]

My 30yr old Lewmar wheels have a straight shaft and are a pain so I’m sure the new setup is better. With a folding wheel it’s less likely to be removed so an improvement I think.

I also needed a gear puller to remove mine after 8 years under the first owner.

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by pcmm

Must be a relatively new standard... I've not helped anyone with a wheel where the shaft is tapered. They are universally straight shafts

"A critical item that you need to know is what kind of steerer shaft your pedestal has. For most boats built prior to 2000 or so, it will be a 1" straight shaft. Sometime in the early 2000s, the tapered shaft became more universal. Both start life as a 1" piece of shaft, with the straight shaft just getting threads and a key slot on the end, while the tapered shaft gets tapered into a cone and also gets a key slot".

https://edsonmarine.com/blog/fitting...teering-wheel/

[coopec43]

When I couldn't remove a gear from a tapered shaft I mentioned it to a Caterpillar HD Fitter. He told me to put maximum stain on the gear puller then hit both sided of the gear simultaneously with heavy hammers.

I did that and it fell off!

Apparently the two heavy hammers distorts the gear minutely and breaks the "bond" between the gear and the tapered shaft.

Removing a propeller can also lead to difficulties.