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Ran across a newer steering wheel for my 400 and was wondering how to change it out. I did a search but could not come up with what I was looking for. I thought I read somewhere on this forum that you 1) turn the horn button to the left to remove the button under neath there are 2 screws that need to be removed and also the wire for the horn. 2) remove old steering wheel and replace with new one and reassemble. Is this correct or is there something else I need to know or look for?? Thanks in advance! the new (old ) wheel has been repainted in the ivory color along with a shift knob. pics to follow.

Been awhile but think your sequence is basically correct. Might also be a good idea to note the gap between wheel and shroud cover so you can get all back in approx same place.

Use palm of hand and push plastic down against rubber cushion and twist left slightly. Once the plastic button is off, believe there will be 3 screws possibly going thru spacers holding metal on. Remove those and think horn ring assy will come off in one piece. Spring will be separate. That should expose the nut and wire. Remove the wire, nut and bottom spring cup. Install the puller and remove wheel. If it's never been off, it may be on there quite snugly.

This parts manual drawing might be of help.

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thanks hh56, so I will need some sort of wheel puller? to take the wheel off is that correct??

Yes, the shaft is splined as is the wheel hub. It's a snug fit! Pullers are commonly found at flea markets and the like or borrowed from club members or friends, or inexpensive if you need to buy one.

thanks Owen,crap I thought I could just loosen the screws and remove,,oh well Thank You HH56 and Owen off to find a wheel puller.

Yes. You can buy fairly inexpensively or rent the type shown in two top pictures. I have the one on left. Packards is shown at bottom.

Ross also mentioned how to make one if needed. If you have facilities, can give the instructions.

If you use the pullers, after removing the nut and wire, thread nut back on a bit to protect the top of shaft threads from the puller--just like when removing a rear wheel.


EDIT: Before you start it is also good to get the wheels pointing straight ahead and steering wheel properly oriented. There is no keyway so wheel can go on crooked if care not taken.

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SOme Auto Zone, and maybe Advance Auto, will lend out pullers free, with a deposit to ensure return.

Thanks again HH56 and Randerson for the pics and the info of Auto Zone and Advanced auto I will try them.

Hi All,well got the new (old) ivory steering wheel in place and a thank you to HH56, Owen, Randerson for their imput. Everything went well except for the wheel puller which Auto Zone gave me as a free loaner.It was the wrong type of puller,my wonderful wife suggested to me and my neighbor who was helping to use rubber mallets and gently tap on the sides of the wheel and "Bam,Sam" it came off.The new wheel went on without any problems.

For further reference for anyone changing their steering wheel the horn button wire is connected way underneath to the horn wire. The button wire comes out of the steering shaft and then connects underneath. Without knowing this I cut the wire by the steering wheel and then afterwards spliced them together,however by pulling on the horn button wire I pulled it from the connection and then could nor find the wire itself as it became lodged in the steering shaft. I hope I explained that correctly,as that was the only problem I encountered. Thanks for the great info.Now if I could only figure out how to send photos I would.

Congratulations. The wheel coming off without a puller -- or at least without a lot of effort and some choice words is rare. Maybe it was removed in the not too distant past.

As to the horn wire, my apologies. I thought the connector at base of steering gear box and attaching a stiff pull wire of some type had been covered in a previous post -- but maybe not. As with our usual method, also might have been buried in another unrelated thread for someone else. Anyway, you have it done now so on to the next project.