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Old 12-15-2019, 02:03 PM   #1
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Turning Driver’s Seat: Remove steering wheel?

Hey folks,
Well, we finally made it to our destination in Mexico in the Ole Gal despite a bad starter solenoid, leaks, a flood when the torrential rains and wind pushed open our fan lids, and a few other minor things things I’m trying to forget.

Now we’re thinking we’ll use the coach here for about 5 months in situ.

We’ve tried turning the driver’s seat but haven’t yet figured out how to clear the steering wheel, despite moving it all the way away from the steering wheel, and making the seat as erect as possible.

Has anyone just removed the steering wheel? I mean temporarily? For this (or some other) purpose? Is it a bear of a job, causing headaches and expletives?

Thanks!
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Old 12-15-2019, 02:27 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by Jenniflow View Post
Hey folks,
Well, we finally made it to our destination in Mexico in the Ole Gal despite a bad starter solenoid, leaks, a flood when the torrential rains and wind pushed open our fan lids, and a few other minor things things I’m trying to forget.

Now we’re thinking we’ll use the coach here for about 5 months in situ.

We’ve tried turning the driver’s seat but haven’t yet figured out how to clear the steering wheel, despite moving it all the way away from the steering wheel, and making the seat as erect as possible.

Has anyone just removed the steering wheel? I mean temporarily? For this (or some other) purpose? Is it a bear of a job, causing headaches and expletives?

Thanks!
NASCAR spec disconnect, wheel is removed in less than 5 secs.

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Old 12-15-2019, 03:36 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by martin300662 View Post
NASCAR spec disconnect, wheel is removed in less than 5 secs.



Attachment 357704


Wait, are you saying that’s what we have? Or that’s what we should get?
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Old 12-15-2019, 04:14 PM   #4
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Wait, are you saying that’s what we have? Or that’s what we should get?
That's what I have.

You have to move the horn to a button on the side of the column, you buy a new steering wheel and disconnect boss (they sell them at Jeggs, Summit, etc). You make sure the disconnect boss is for the GM steering column, but when fitted, you just pull the sprung index pin to release the disconnect and remove the wheel.

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Old 12-15-2019, 05:49 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by martin300662 View Post
That's what I have.

You have to move the horn to a button on the side of the column, you buy a new steering wheel and disconnect boss (they sell them at Jeggs, Summit, etc). You make sure the disconnect boss is for the GM steering column, but when fitted, you just pull the sprung index pin to release the disconnect and remove the wheel.

Attachment 357721


Ah! Thanks. Cool idea. If we were in the US we might do that but we’re in Mexico.

If we don’t use that method, what will we face with the situation in its original configuration? Have you tried that?
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Old 12-16-2019, 11:25 AM   #6
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Can you slide the seat back to allow the clearance?
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Old 12-16-2019, 01:47 PM   #7
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Correct, you can't spin the seat all the way around without removing the steering wheel

If it's really important to you, removing the wheel isn't hard, I just live with mine sideways
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Old 12-16-2019, 01:53 PM   #8
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Its counter intuitive but sliding back = making it closer to the wheel as it revolves.

On some motorhome there is clearance if you make small adjustments as it turns. From memory Mike (mayco) knows the trick but on Bella that didn't work and so it was easier to fit the disconnect.
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Old 12-16-2019, 02:11 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by martin300662 View Post
Its counter intuitive but sliding back = making it closer to the wheel as it revolves.

On some motorhome there is clearance if you make small adjustments as it turns. From memory Mike (mayco) knows the trick but on Bella that didn't work and so it was easier to fit the disconnect.
I have a vague, maybe fabricated memory if having figured it out years ago and gotten it to turn 180 degrees. When I tried this way, it didn’t work. Maybe there is some way that we did try it without moving it all the way back, as you say.

I’ll try harder this time!

If not, my husband is going to remove the steering wheel, which he’s not worried about doing but which I was hoping to avoid.
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Old 12-16-2019, 04:33 PM   #10
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I don’t know.......removing the wheel ???? Installing an aftermarket kit ?????? Sounds like a potential problem down the road ! Regards, Bob
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Old 12-16-2019, 05:53 PM   #11
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Ok so now something really annoying has happened. As I was trying to adjust and maneuver the seat, the motor stopped being willing to move the chair back, only forward! So it’s now crept forward another inch as we’ve each tried it. It may be past the point where it can rotate thoroughly, I’m not sure. The armrest on the wall may be in the way.

Can you hazard a guess about what might’ve causing this?

Thanks!
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Old 12-16-2019, 08:17 PM   #12
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Check your seat wiring harness. I rotated the seat the wrong way one time and wrapped the wiring harness around the pedestal pulling the connection apart. I'm on my second 345 and I always rotate the passenger seat around, and I know I've done the driver seat too, although I can't recall how I did it right now. We'll be taking a trip to FL in January and I'll see if I can make it happen.
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Old 12-16-2019, 08:45 PM   #13
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Thanks so much stream3, all that sounds right up me. We’ll try it again tomorrow and look for the wiring harness.
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Old 12-17-2019, 03:39 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jenniflow View Post
Ok so now something really annoying has happened. As I was trying to adjust and maneuver the seat, the motor stopped being willing to move the chair back, only forward! So it’s now crept forward another inch as we’ve each tried it. It may be past the point where it can rotate thoroughly, I’m not sure. The armrest on the wall may be in the way.

Can you hazard a guess about what might’ve causing this?

Thanks!
I had this same issue on my old 310. I'm guessing the switch is probably going bad.

The good news is you can remove the switch from the console, remove the plug and rotate it 180 degrees and then plug it back in. The bad new is what this will do is allow you to move the seat backwards but not forwards.

Brad
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Old 12-17-2019, 11:10 AM   #15
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Thumbs up Bad driver seat switch

Quote:
Originally Posted by bkahler View Post
I had this same issue on my old 310. I'm guessing the switch is probably going bad.

The good news is you can remove the switch from the console, remove the plug and rotate it 180 degrees and then plug it back in. The bad new is what this will do is allow you to move the seat backwards but not forwards.

Brad
Vewwwy intewesting! That sounds quite plausible, given the behavior. Now we have two approaches to try, thanks Brad!
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Old 12-18-2019, 08:37 AM   #16
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Thumbs up Removed the steering wheel

OK, well, before I could draw Joe's attention to these suggestions, I found him removing the steering wheel, which he may have done partly to avoid the temptation to drive the thing for a while!

It's so comfy and cozy in here now!

Pic to follow.

Thanks for the help!
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Old 12-18-2019, 09:19 AM   #17
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Jenniflow,
When we replaced the front captains chairs in our 310 we were able to spin the drivers seat almost all the way around to face the lounge. The new seats are a bit narrower and the back tilts forward just enough to spin it.

Lynn and I have spent quite a bit of time down in Mexico, Pacific coast near San Blas. Usually in a little beach village called Los Cocos. We have a gringo friend that owns a beautiful rv park there called Playa Amor. Where about s are you guys?
Mike n Lynn
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Old 12-19-2019, 08:39 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jenniflow View Post
ok, well, before i could draw joe's attention to these suggestions, i found him removing the steering wheel, which he may have done partly to avoid the temptation to drive the thing for a while!



It's so comfy and cozy in here now!



Pic to follow.



Thanks for the help!


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Old 12-20-2019, 05:57 AM   #19
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That looks nice and cozy....
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Old 12-20-2019, 08:45 AM   #20
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Thanks, and Mexico

Thanks Brad! :-)

And Mike, I've never been to that part of Mexico, it looks like interesting topography, with the inlets and bays.

We are in the La Paz district in Baja California Sur. On the Sea of Cortez. Smallish town, very friendly, very WET recently, due to unusually late rainstorms.

I haven't spent much time on the mainland, I'm looking forward to going this year.
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