I've got a couple of things I was wondering about. I have an 88 Mustang 4 cyl. I want to replace the steering wheel with a smaller one. I've got all the parts, and I've tried using a steering wheel puller to get the old wheel off, but it won't budge. I've stripped out the threads in the original holes that the puller uses, along with the threads in subsequent holes I've tapped. I think the metal's too soft to old when I try to use the puller. Anybody have any ideas on how to get the wheel off? A 2 hour job has now lasted all day.

Also, there's a "dead spot" in my steering...basically about a sixth of the steering wheel's diameter...the steering wheel moves but the car's wheels don't. Any ideas on what that might be?

Thanks for your time.

 

Do you have ALL the nuts off the wheel?It shouldnt come off that hard.As far as dead spots,the steering rack has worn places in the internal mechanism.A car of this age probably has a lot of play throughout the system and it all adds up at the wheel.

 

your rack is worn and I bet the knuckle shaft is also as is tie-rod ends etc

 

All I saw was the one bolt that threads into the steering shaft. I talked to someone else and they suggested, also, that there were multiple bolts/nuts, but I can't find them, and I can't find them in the mustang book I have. I managed to get some bolts to not strip and used the puller again, but the steering wheel still didn't budge, but yet the bolts started bending.

Thanks also on the answers regarding the dead spot. I was wondering if it ws the result of normal wear or was a major danger thing.