I thought I would finally pull the trigger and have my steering wheel done to match my interior kit. I looked at the Sticky by JHM2K on how to remove the wheel and got to the point of trying to remove the center 10mm hex bolt. I tried several tricks as listed by others, such as giving the bolt a sharp hit to break it loose, I even went so far as to buy an air impact handle...no luck. My main concern with all of the leverage being used is the force it's imparting against the wheel pin, and I sure don't want to break that off.
Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!!
Smallfry

 

Just a quick update...talked to my local shop that has worked on ALL of our cars over the years.

He said "just apply a small torch to the nut to loosen the glue".....can you say D'OH! I've been a jeweler for almost 30 years, and that's one of the oldest tricks in the book. How soon we forget when it comes to our cars...two tries with the mini-torch and it came right out with the impact wrench.
Will post pics when I get the wheel back after the mods.
smallfry

 

Hey Terry, was the "glue" red or blue?

 

Hey Zip, the glue was blue "locktite"...

 

Just use a huge breaker bar. I used that in mine it took me like 5 minutes.

 

Argh!!!
I think I'm having Crossfire withdrawals...it's been almost 4 weeks since I sent off my steering wheel to be customized.
Should be back sometime this week, according to the companies listed turnaround time...

 

Awesome please post the results. I installed a slightly smaller 360mm Atiwe aftermarket steering wheel with airbag in mine.

 

Sure thing....as soon as it comes back!
Now going on 4 1/2 weeks...I'm gettin' the shakes....

 

FINALLY !!!
The wheel is back, it's better than I expected, they did a great job of matching my dash kit color and burl pattern (I had sent them the change door cover to copy from)...AND the air bag didn't explode after re-connecting the battery !!!

But I still can't take her out for a drive....it's raining here today, ARGH !!!

Here are a before shot and an after shot (pardon the color, I was using a shop light...the color is actually a nice neutral grey that complements the Slate Interior color very well)



This is the factory OEM wheel.

This is the new "Burl Wood" wheel.

 

Nice! I like it!

 

 

I sent it to these people, and Kathy is the person I spoke to during the process.
Just to let you know, because of the car's heritage (MB), the style of OEM stitching runs a little more than their standard type of stitching. They offer many different styles (and prices) for the options available.
But, talk with Kathy and she will help you choose. I went with as close to factory OEM, as I wanted to create an interior that they could (or should) have offered. I like the old school looks of wood dashes and wood steering wheels, and gear shift *****, etc...
Thanks for all the looks...
Later, smfry

PS - no, I'm NOT affiliated with them ....lol

Kathy
www.craftcustoms.com
214-564-1170
519 E. Interstate 30, Suite 162
Rockwall, TX 75087
email: info@craftcustoms.com

 

May I ask what the total cost was ?
BTW, I have the slightly older Alpine head unit, ( IDA-X001 ) - love it !

 

Hello Sir, how have you been since Eureka Springs CAA-6?
Cost, with the extra for the MB stitching, was $700 (not including shipping there and back).
This was the final piece, in a long line of interior mods, to get the look I was going after.

 

I like that steering wheel a lot. It looks like quality work. The price seems reasonable for custom work like that.

Shown below is a custom wheel I'm putting on my 07 roadster. It does not have that classic classy look yours has which I do like. This one is more aggressive sport looking. I'm waiting to get the air bag recall done first so there is no risk they damage it.

 

I have been fine, just returned from this years Dragon event.
Now that I am retired, I'm afraid that $700 is a bit too steep for me