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Steering Wheel Removal

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M

mxp01

Jedi Warrior
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Gentlemen:

I know this ground has been covered in the past, however:

Can someone provide advice for removing the steering wheel from a 1972 Midget? I have the nut loosened, but now the wheel is stuck hard on the steering column.

Thanks,
Mike Pennell
 
A wheel puller is the easy way. Borrow one from Checker or Autozone or go to Harbor Fright and buy one. The flat style with screws, not the hook style
 
And mind your teeth. When it lets go it will let go with authority. You might try pounding in first. Also be careful with the nut and cross threading on those fragile threads on the steering column. Use only the soft, nuts from VB or MOSS if you need to replace. Don't ask me how I know.

BTW-Sears Hardware sells a thread file if you need to straighten things up.
 
And mind your teeth. When it lets go it will let go with authority. You might try pounding in first. Also be careful with the nut and cross threading on those fragile threads on the steering column. Use only the soft, nuts from VB or MOSS if you need to replace. Don't ask me how I know.

BTW-Sears Hardware sells a thread file if you need to straighten things up.
 
I made a puller by taking a flat plate and using the little bolt holder thin plate thing as a guide and drilled holes in the plate. Then I used some bolts going through the plate and pushed against the splined stem with it using the 6 bolts.
 
No matter how bad it gets, Don't try to knock the steering column out the back with anything...the threads will mangle! Don't ask.
Cheers
 
markberry said:
No matter how bad it gets, Don't try to knock the steering column out the back with anything...the threads will mangle! Don't ask.
Cheers
Click to expand...

You mean don't do what John Twist did in the video? Running the nut out to flush was an important step I think he said.
 
The metal on the shaft is super soft and threads are real fine. John Twist definitely knows what he is doing. Pressure on the wheel is very important in making this work. Also making sure when rethreading the nut that it goes on straight.
 
I got in a hurry once and ran the nut all the way out to where it was flush with the end of the shaft so I could "tap" it with a hammer and hopefully knock it out the back of the steering wheel. Well, as Jim mentioned, the metal was so soft that it just crushed the threads immediatly. Then it took me forever to find a machinist with a lathe that would turn those threads for me; No one wanted to do anything that was automotive related for some reason (I thought metal was metal and money was money, but apparently not the case in the Sacramento area). Just a word of warning to prevent someone from going through that experience! everyone else has brought up good suggestions for getting the wheel off.
Mark
 
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