Impact Wrench Size to Remove Steering Wheel - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

camguynj · 02-28-2022, 08:17 PM

For guys who removed your steering wheel. What size impact wrench did you use 1/4" 3/8" or 1/2" to remove the T50 torx screw torqued to 22 ft lbs?

ride_002000 · 02-28-2022, 10:26 PM

I just used a 3/8" ratchet. But have used a 1/2" impact on my 6th gen

camguynj · 03-01-2022, 07:33 AM

Did you have to use a breaker bar with the 3/8” rachet?

ride_002000 · 03-01-2022, 07:38 AM

No, it was on there tight but I got it off fairly easy. I swapped out a wheel in a guys 2020 SS and it was on there incredibly tight. I broke 2 torx heads and used both an impact and then a big breaker bar. But my 2012 wasnt as tight and my 2018 came off easily with an impact

NOT A 45 · 03-01-2022, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camguynj

For guys who removed your steering wheel. What size impact wrench did you use 1/4" 3/8" or 1/2" to remove the T50 torx screw torqued to 22 ft lbs?

I use a impact driver to break it loose and a 3/8 impact to remove and install. If you've ever stripped out that torx bolt you'd understand why!

camguynj · 03-01-2022, 09:02 AM

Hey guys thanks for the replies. Seems the degree of difficulty in removing the screw varies based on your experience and from what I’ve seen in YouTube vids. I would assume the wheels were put on manually at the plant as opposed to robotic given that the center lines have to line up and painted markings I’ve noticed that show the alignment. The spec calls for the wheel to be torqued to 22ft lbs which I wouldn’t think is all the much to cause to cause the difficulty some have had. Maybe the cause for varying difficulty is they’re variably torqued at the plant but I wouldn’t think so

I guess I’ll first try using a 3/8” impact wrench. Thoughts, comments welcomed.

gtstorey · 03-01-2022, 09:11 AM

May be less the the initial torque applied and more the amount of thread locker (and maybe type) used?

camguynj · 03-01-2022, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtstorey

May be less the the initial torque applied and more the amount of thread locker (and maybe type) used?

Don’t think they use thread locked at the plant.

NOT A 45 · 03-01-2022, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camguynj

Don’t think they use thread locked at the plant.

They absolutely use thread locker....blue I think. That's why I recommend breaking it loose with a impact driver first! Trust me I've stripped the torx part out of that bolt before....you will learn words you didn't know! I've removed around 200 of these....you need to trust me on this.

Steering Wheel Bolt

Procedure
Prepare the steering wheel bolt for installation as follows:
Remove all traces of the adhesive patch from the steering wheel bolt.
Clean the threads of the bolt with denatured alcohol.
Apply thread locking adhesive to the steering wheel bolt. Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers
Ensure there are no gaps in the thread locking adhesive along the length of the filled area of the threads on the bolt shaft.
Caution: Fastener Caution.

Note:

The ONLY acceptable bit for removing and installing the steering wheel bolt is a T50 bit. Do NOT use any other size bit or a worn T50 bit or the bolt recess MAY strip and the bolt may NOT be removable.
If a power tool is used to remove the steering wheel bolt, the tool must have a torque rating greater than 75 Y (55 lb ft) and both the power tool and the T50 bit MUST be positioned perpendicular to the bolt recess.
Tighten

30 Y (22 lb ft)

camguynj · 03-01-2022, 10:36 AM

Great feedback! THANK YOU! Good to know. A impact driver and 3/8” impact wrench it is

InFiD3ViL · 03-01-2022, 02:27 PM

I had no issue and used a regular 1/2 socket wrench when I removed mine.

camguynj · 03-01-2022, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InFiD3ViL

I had no issue and used a regular 1/2 socket wrench when I removed mine.

I'm starting to think that the vagaries of guys that have had a hard time removing the screw and those like you who removed it with just a rachet is due to some having loctite (when there is a colored stripe across the screw and'
the wheel opening) others not having loctite (no colored stripe). Just a hunch.

Wizard1183 · 03-02-2022, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camguynj

I'm starting to think that the vagaries of guys that have had a hard time removing the screw and those like you who removed it with just a rachet is due to some having loctite (when there is a colored stripe across the screw and'
the wheel opening) others not having loctite (no colored stripe). Just a hunch.

Well red loctite would require heat. So Blue loc tote is possible but not needed there. Perhaps spray a bit of kroil or liquid wrench and let sit 5-10min before trying?

camguynj · 03-02-2022, 07:03 AM

Applying heat would be awful risky with all the wiring there. You’d have to be VERY VERY careful.

02-28-2022, 08:17 PM	#1
camguynj Drives: '13 SS/RS LS3 BRM Cammed NPP Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 3,812 View My Garage	Impact Wrench Size to Remove Steering Wheel For guys who removed your steering wheel. What size impact wrench did you use 1/4" 3/8" or 1/2" to remove the T50 torx screw torqued to 22 ft lbs? Last edited by camguynj; 02-28-2022 at 10:14 PM.

03-01-2022, 02:27 PM	#11
InFiD3ViL Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 Swapped A6 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 4,576	I had no issue and used a regular 1/2 socket wrench when I removed mine. __________________ 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS LS3 Swapped A6 - GPI LS3 SS1 .647/.638, (224/237, 112 +4, 7º overlap) on CamMotion 8620 core, BTR Platinum .660" Dual Spring kit w/titanium retainers, CHE bronze trunnion upgrade, stock heads milled @ .015, Melling HV 10296 oil pump, TSP 1-7/8" long tube headers (W/Catless Off-road Pipes), Corsa Xtreme 3" Catback, GPI Ported/Rod Mod Intake, Stage 2 Ported Throttle Body, Vararam OTR CAI, Mike Norris Gen 2 catch can + GM 1LE clean side separator, 160º thermostat - Megan Racing adjustable coilovers (lowered 1.75"), MRR M017 10/11" wheels-Tuned by Ryan @ GPI

02-28-2022, 10:26 PM	#2
ride_002000 Drives: 2016 F150 Join Date: May 2019 Location: Michigan Posts: 169	I just used a 3/8" ratchet. But have used a 1/2" impact on my 6th gen

03-01-2022, 07:33 AM	#3
camguynj Drives: '13 SS/RS LS3 BRM Cammed NPP Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 3,812 View My Garage	Did you have to use a breaker bar with the 3/8” rachet?

03-01-2022, 07:38 AM	#4
ride_002000 Drives: 2016 F150 Join Date: May 2019 Location: Michigan Posts: 169	No, it was on there tight but I got it off fairly easy. I swapped out a wheel in a guys 2020 SS and it was on there incredibly tight. I broke 2 torx heads and used both an impact and then a big breaker bar. But my 2012 wasnt as tight and my 2018 came off easily with an impact

03-01-2022, 09:02 AM	#6
camguynj Drives: '13 SS/RS LS3 BRM Cammed NPP Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 3,812 View My Garage	Hey guys thanks for the replies. Seems the degree of difficulty in removing the screw varies based on your experience and from what I’ve seen in YouTube vids. I would assume the wheels were put on manually at the plant as opposed to robotic given that the center lines have to line up and painted markings I’ve noticed that show the alignment. The spec calls for the wheel to be torqued to 22ft lbs which I wouldn’t think is all the much to cause to cause the difficulty some have had. Maybe the cause for varying difficulty is they’re variably torqued at the plant but I wouldn’t think so I guess I’ll first try using a 3/8” impact wrench. Thoughts, comments welcomed.

03-01-2022, 09:11 AM	#7
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,155	May be less the the initial torque applied and more the amount of thread locker (and maybe type) used?

03-01-2022, 10:36 AM	#10
camguynj Drives: '13 SS/RS LS3 BRM Cammed NPP Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 3,812 View My Garage	Great feedback! THANK YOU! Good to know. A impact driver and 3/8” impact wrench it is

03-02-2022, 07:03 AM	#14
camguynj Drives: '13 SS/RS LS3 BRM Cammed NPP Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 3,812 View My Garage	Applying heat would be awful risky with all the wiring there. You’d have to be VERY VERY careful.