Do I need GM puller to remove my Wheel?

[Bluemill]

Dear Techs,

I still can not find the rattle coming from the front dash, driver's side of my car. A couple of entries on this site thought that there were issues under their steering column cover and so I have been after that for a couple of nights. It appears that the only way to get the covers off is to take off the wheel. My super all-makes mechanic lent me a puller, and Autozone also made a try, but neither tool came close to grabbing at the wheel so you can do an effective pull. My service manual looks to show a very proprietary puller that is the only thing that will do it. I called the Chevy dealer and he said he didn't want to even talk to me because they were too much $$.

Anyone out there got any ideas on this? I checked the AIR tube last weekend and it looks to be clearing the firewall by quite a margin, so I don't think it's that that is rattling.

Thanks,
Bluemill
BUY AMERICAN!

 

[bossvette]

I have to change the light switch on mine this weekend and was wondering the same thing. I may have to make one rather then spending the big bucks.

 

[Greg Gore]

Finding Rattles

I have not had the steering wheel off a C5 yet but if they have the same style hub as the C4 a standard steering wheel puller should work. The puller should be a simple bridge affair with a jack bolt in the center which pushes on the center of the steering shaft. The C4 has two threaded holes beside the steering shaft which are for the puller attachment bolts which attaches the puller crosspiece to the steering wheel. Why not try to localize the noise before taking it apart? A stethoscope with an open hose would work well for this because it allows you to zero in on the source. In the absence of a stethoscope you could cut a length of rubber hose and holding one end up to your ear probe around for it with the other end from the passenger seat while a buddy drives.

Regards, Greg

 

[kenc5]

Blue,

Look at your other thread on rattles.
Ken

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Bluemill,

I had a rattle that I swore was coming from the dash from the day I purchased my 1999 C5 coupe new. I checked a lot of things but to no avail.

One day when I opened my hood, I saw the right front hinge "lift" where it attaches to the front frame rail (near the front of the car, to the right of the radiator). The bottom of the hinge plate sits on the frame rail and is attached via two studs in the frame rail, held tight with two nuts.

I tightened the two nuts which were finger-loose. After that, my "dash" rattle disappeared. The hinge plate was rattling on the frame rail on any type of rough pavement, causing the sound to transmit into the passenger compartment (my "dash" rattle...).

The driver-side hinge mounting nuts were very tight - just the passenger side nuts were loose.

This may be a long shot, but check both hinge mounting studs / nuts. It may save you a bunch of time and effort checking other items.

Good luck.

 

[JonM]

Remember guys...Auto Zone loans out lots of tools, including wheel pullers.

 

[bossvette]

I was able to change the light switch without pulling the steering wheel.
so much for folowing the shop manuals instructions.:L