posted 06-24-2009 11:40 PM ET (US)        

I purchased a new set of mahogany wood for my 13' Whaler Sport, and I am pulling my hair out trying to separate the steering mechanism from the old console.

I was told that the first step is to pop the center plastic cup out of the center of the wheel and remove the center nut. I then pulled steering wheel off the top. It came away from the steering column and thick black cuff/collar.

I now cannot figure out any way to remove the large black cuff. I took out the three long bolts that attached it through the console to the assembly below. And I also remove the nuts from the two integrated bolts that secured it to the wood.

It is now floating freely between the wood and the top of the steering column, but it cannot pass through the top and out. This is because the steering column has a square notch at the top (aligns with the steering wheel when attached. The large black metal cuff has a continuous smooth round hole with no gap to accommodate the notch at the top of the steering column.

Hence all three pieces are loose (the lower assembly, the wood console and the black cuff) but I cannot separate them by either removing the assembly or the black cuff from the steering column. I am totally stumped at this point....

Thanks in advance for any help, advice, guidance, empathy, etc