How do i remove the steering wheel on my 86 weekender?

[1956olds]

Well i am trying to find out what shaft i have so i can fit a raymarine smart pilot plus autopilot on there ,does anybody know?

 

[tobnpr]

Most steering shafts are standard 3/4" tapered.

Pull the centerpiece (emblem, piece of teak) off the wheel. Shaft is tapered with a keyway just like an inboard propshaft.

 

[88dancer300]

Back the nut off, just till its flush with the shaft, give it a good square blow with preferabl a dead blow hammer while having someone pull and apply pressure to the wheel. It should come right off. Note: DO NOT let the shaft protrude from the nut!! , you will destroy the threads on the shaft. If it does not come loose, hit it with some pennetratin fluid. There are two types of helm shaft. You may have a 3/4" tapered shaft, which is pretty standard, and aftermarket wheels are plentifull. More than likely however, you will have the shaft with a big square. My 87 268 had the square shaft, and it is obsolete and tough to find an aftermarket wheel to replace it. There is however a company out there that makes an adapter that allows you to mount a MOMO style wheel to it. Dont remember the name of the company.