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This DARN steering wheel!!

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mylillooker

mylillooker

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How in the heck can I get this freakin' steering wheel off. I'm trying to put on a new turn signal/wiper switch. I've taken the off the nut on the wheel. The Haynes book says it should just pull off. Well, that ain't happening! It won't budge! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif There is only the one nut...nothing else. The steering wheel puul that I saw at the auto store wouldn't work in any way. I would need other holes in the wheel and there are none. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif Help...Please advise. It's a 79 Midget.
 
Get a friend with the biggest, strongest legs you can find. Have him push from behind the wheel with his legs,also have the steering wheel nut backed off flush with the inner column, then hold a stout peice of wood dowel on the center of the column and whack with a 3lb hammer, your friend should do the whacking or you might hit him in the head.
 
They can be nearly impossible to get off without ruining something. What ever you do, don't damage the threaded end of the shaft. The wall thickness is thin & easily bent. I have attached a pic of the factory tool used for the big Healeys. As you can see, it is quite elaborate & pulls from the back. You may need to make a short shouldered peg to fit into the top end of the shaft. This prevents puller pressure from damaging the threaded part.
Good luck,
D
 
Having had exactly the same problem with my 76 midget I sympathize. The solution I ended up with was to go to my local car parts joint and purchase a three arm 6" wheel puller.

This tool turned a difficult task into a 30 second piece of cake. Do yourself a favor and get one of these. You will need it every time you want to take the wheel off.

Good Luck
Al /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/canpatriot.GIF
 
Are you sure that the legs and the dowel will work? I've tried a puller or two and part of the problem is that the column doesn't come through the CENTER of the wheel. Actually it does, it's just that the center part of the wheel is off center. Does that make any sense. Anywhooo, the pullers haven't work. What exactly does the 6" puller look like. I'll try ANYTHING!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cryin.gif
 
Ummm, Couple of items.
1. I think you can replace the switch without removing the wheel. (I might be wrong about that)
2. Your column is a collapsable column, so be careful about whacking it too hard.
3. When you say the center is off center, are you saying that the hub/boss is bent?
4. Did you soak it with plenty of penetrating oil (PB Blaster)?
5. You will need to drop the column to get the cowl loose (unless you have already removed the dash.)
 
YUPSKIES, you have the latter 4 spoke wheel, pullers dont work well with that one.Try it as recommended and odds are it will work. Had the same problem as you, but my legs werent big or strong enough, had my gentle giant friend try it and bam, one hard whack and it popped off. Of course he is still stuck in the car.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Of course he is still stuck in the car.

[/ QUOTE ]
LOL That brought a smile to an otherwise gloomy face /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Thanks.
 
Does that mean that that the steering wheel is still stuck?
 
That's exactly what that means. I tried to get my dad to help me w/it and he wanted to try everything but!!! It was as though he didn't hear a word I said. I basically got nothing accomplished. I told him that two other people w/the same problem gave the same possible solution. Even the guy at the parts store suggested it (that makes three). /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif
 
Fathers can be that way. I borrowed my dad's garage to work on my midget (for about one year). Things went great at first, but then he retired. Suddenly he had ample time to "help" me do things. It really slowed down progress. But I'm grateful all the same.
 
Well, I've yet to get to the grateful side of things /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif. I looked at it again and there's no other way to get the switches off w/o the wheel first. Here's the kicker though, after you TOLD me about bending the threads...I bent the threads! I can file away the damaged threads (2) and still get the nut on. I was trying hard to get the steering wheel off before my dad got home to "help me" or hinder me (surprise, surprise). I think I'm gonna give it a rest for a while. I'll change the stop light switch when I get it, but that's it for a while...probably not, but I'm going to try. I really only need the brake lights, turn and wiper signals put on and it'll be road worthy. I'll be able to get it inspected by the state. Then I'll just wait out the winter. If I don't tear something else up. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 

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Inspected by the State? Do you live in Indiana? Here in KY there is no safety inspection required... As far as I know. My car was a title transfer from OH and they only wanted to verify the VIN.
 
No, I live here in KY. The woman at the County Clerks Offie said I had to take it downtown and they would inspect it. ?? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif??
 
I believe what she meant was that the county sheriff, has to visually inspect the VIN on the car and the out of state title. This was the case with my car. I put it on a trailer and hauled it to the clerks office on the day when they had a sheriff available for inspections. You should double check with your local clerks office. In Jefferson County they only do inspections at certain locations and during certain hours. However, if you need to drive it there then certainly you need to make it road worthy first.
 
Oh, I didn't know it was that simple. Yeah, I'll get it roadworhty and get it down there so I can get the permanent tags. . I'm thinking of letting my insurance go since I won't be driving it in the winter anyway. If I get that nut back on there, do you think you could help me w/the steering wheel? I'd be happy to pay you for your time. ...cash...beer...dinner? Whatever.. I'd like to eventually meet you. You've been such a great help and confidant.
 
Where in the city do you live? I'm a school teacher, so I'll have two weeks off after this week. Give me a call and we'll try to schedule something around all of the holiday activities. Then we can also discuss what tools I might need to bring along.

Why not drive in the winter? These cars have heaters!
 
Of the many (many) hats that I frequently wear, one is EBD ASST. at Highland Middle School. So, I'll have the SAME two weeks off. Although I'm still working the part-time job that afforded me this lil'jem of a car. I should be pretty untangled for most of the "Winter Break" (Hallejuah! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif) At what school do you teach?

As far as driving in the winter, I've had several VW's an wasn't sure whether the heat was as "wonderful" as those. After having several cars with lack of heat being part of the "charm and character", I'm ready for reliable! Plus, I've got an old Toyota Celica that I don't mind putting on snowy roads w/crappy KY drivers. Doesn't look like much, but heats and runs like a Champion!

I'm trained in the arts and in addition to my JCPS & part-time gig, I've been an "Arts Ho" for many months. I've danced, sang and modeled my naked behind from one end of this city to the other to get this car /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif. I want to make sure I get to enjoy it! Don't want to take any chances! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif I want to make sure It's ready to go this summer. I didn't endure this crappy part-time job for nothing.

Do you still have your MG? If so, do you drive it year round?
 
I still have my MG, but this winter I had to park it elsewhere since I no longer have ample parking for our other cars (very frustrating). But I do drive it on a regular basis. The heater is MUCH better than the old VW's. It will toast your legs while letting cool refreshing air to your face. Once we move to a new house with adequate parking I plan on driving my MG daily. But, I've always avoided the roads after salting. My car is a 1970/72 mongrel. It was/is a real basket case so driving it daily is not jeopardizing any part of automotive history.

I taught for 5 years at Waggener HS, then 4 years at Manual HS, then took 2 years off to be with my newborn daughter, now I'm teaching at North Bullitt HS. But I will be most likely taking some more time off since my wife and I are expecting a new baby in May.

PS I drove a couple of 1978 celica's through HS and college.
 
Sorry, I've been away or a while. My sched got crazy.

Congrats to you and your expecting wife!

You certainly do make the rounds when it comes to teaching. What subject?

I'll get in touch w/you about an agreeable time to get together. Thanks
 
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