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Steering Wheel removal

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Stewart

Stewart

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I'm trying to install a new wood steering wheel and the old one is putting up a major fight and has won the first battle by breaking a gear puller. I've soaked it in wd 40 tried a gear puller and my small BFH and the Big BFH with no success. Any other ideas on how to get it off? How hard is it to pull the steering column off?
 
I’ve never pulled the steering column. But I did replace my 78B’s steering wheel a couple of times and remember having similar problems to yours the first time I tried.

My advice is to try letting it soak in some good penetrating lubricant overnight and try again. Something other that WD40 - I use some great stuff called “Fabulous B’LASTER” that I get at NAPA Auto Parts. Always worked when good old WD40 wouldn’t.

Anyway I know this might sound counter productive but I’d also try to “re-tighten” the steering wheel retaining nut about a half a turn then remove it before attempting to pull it again.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
Good luck.!
 
I had the exact same problem two years ago. Except I broke the hub trying to use a gear puller. I finally borrowed a steering wheel puller from a friend and even had trouble with that. WD40, Kroil, heat, crying, swearing and tightening and loosening didn't get it done. My friend stopped by one day to see how it was coming and took a try at it for me and it just popped off for him...it took a lot of torque from a less concerned party to finally get it I suppose...I was afraid of damaging his puller, but he wanted to show his wife he was so strong. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

So Soak it, heat and torque it!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif\

Bruce /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
There is lots written on this subject... When I pulled my '79 wheel, I resigned myself to the fact that the wheel would be junk by the time it came off. I put two metal bars behind the wheel and used those to pull against with my LARGE puller. Most people tell you to have someone sit behind it and use their knees and arms to pull while you are cranking down on the puller and beating the end with a BFH. Keep trying, it will snap free eventually!
 
When you get it off please let me know as I am having the same problem. Regards John
 
Hi all, here is a little trick I got from TS Imports and it's worked well over the years. Put the nut back on and tighten the heck out of it, brakes up the crud in the splines, a little WD40 or Deepcreep a couple of taps, ( leave the nut on covering the threads, just level with the top of the blot is best), then pull with legs or puller. Hope this helps. Wayne
 
Battle was finaly won. Took a ton of cursing 2 people pulling with all there might and an air hammer pounding away. Looks and feels great.
 
Glad to hear you go it off, but another idea is to use an harmonic balancer puller. Works for mine.
 
I was having trouble with mine too. The red MG restoration book (I forget what it is called.) gave a trick that worked great. Put the nut back on and tighten it until it is even with the shaft. Pull back on the wheel while you strike the nut/shaft. My wheel popped right off!

Lonne
 
I tried using the harmonic dampener puller and it pulled the threads out of the hub. Basically used an air hammer and 2 people pulling. We rotated the wheel 90 degrees every attempt and on the third and final try before cutting it off it popped loose. Might as well include a picture of it.
Steeringwheel.jpg
 
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