[lsowden12]

Just been having some issues whilst trying to replace my steering wheel on my R8 214

Spent half an hour getting all the plastic trays out of the wheel only to find the steering wheel bolt itself is impossible to remove. The repair manual says it needs to be tightened to 50nm but its absolutely way way way more than that. I've drenched it in WD40 and used a hammer on a ratchet to try get some movement yet nothing worked.
I'm not going to be spending £100 on an impact wrench that I will use once and never again.

Has anyone else run into trouble with this before or knows the process for removing the wheel (worried im doing something wrong)? And can anyone confirm the correct socket size is indeed 18mm?

[Mr Teddy Bear]

where are you? perhaps someone can help

[JOHNDQ]

Steering lock on and a 1/2 inch breaker bar

[Johnny 216GSi]

Steering lock on and a 1/2 inch breaker bar

Well, you might break the steering lock! I did it with a standard length breaker bar (maybe 2 ft. long) and I had one hand on the steering wheel trying to turn it one way whilst turning the breaker bar the other way.

I think eventually I ended up being my own impact wrench, as I started tugging at the steering wheel at the same time as pushing the breaker bar around. It let go eventually.

I'd previously failed to budge it before I mastered the technique - I do understand the frustration as it is definitely bolted up tight.

[lsowden12]

Hell yeah, took a lot of force but it’s worked. God knows why it would ever need to be as tight as it is. Chucked on an aftermarket wheel whilst I get the wheel cosmetics repaired, job done

[itcaptainslow]

Steering lock on and a 1/2 inch breaker bar

Definitely wouldn’t do that for reasons Jon mentions above!

I’ve used a pal applying a counter hold to the steering wheel with a breaker bar. Hasn’t failed me yet!

[richard moss]

I would put the steering on full left lock so that the steering rack holds the column still. Then use a huge breaker bar with loads of your body weight on it

[g259fsg]

It's possible someone's had it off before and put it back on too tight. I took the one off my 214 a few years ago to replace the indicator switch, and don't remember having too much difficulty. 50 Nm is not excessively tight. I agree it doesn't need to be too tight as it goes onto a splined shaft. Have you got a friendly local garage? An impact driver would take it off, without stressing the steering or lock too much, in a couple of seconds.