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This DARN steering wheel!!

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I saw a red rubber bumper midgetfrom Louisville KY on ebay yesterday. I thought maybe you had given up. These old cars can test your patience, but with each little job you gain experience and knowledge that makes maintenance easier and future repairs quicker.

I get bored in my jobs, and feel no loyalty to any of my employers. I've taught Math, Chemistry, and Computer Science.
 
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I get bored in my jobs, and feel no loyalty to any of my employers. I've taught Math, Chemistry, and Computer Science.

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That's funny. I should definitely talk to you before I make a commitment to JCPS. They'll pay for school if I trade semester for semester. I was thinking of starting next fall. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

As for my car, I'm not quite ready to throw in the towel!
 
Had the same problem with my 79 midget 1500. Went to the Snap On guy told him the problem. Sent me home with a puller that did the trick. Only cost me a years salary. But I have used the puller for harmonic balancers and other things. Was well worth the money. Might be able to buy a cheaper one, I think Harbor Freight has a knock off of my puller.
 
I've attached a pic of my problem. There is nowhere for the clamps I've used to grab the wheel as it is all rubber wheel. Any suggestions? Although I took a break, the snow we've recently received has slowed me down too. I don't have a garage
 

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I have the snap on brand puller, but harbor freight has a knock off of it that will remove the steering wheel with ease. If you go to www.harborfreight.com the item number is 37824-OGVA. It is titled as 46 piece bolt puller set and sells for 9.99. I am out of the country working this week but will be home friday (new years eve). If you would like I can e mail you a picture on how to set up the puller to remove the steering wheel.
 
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I've attached a pic of my problem. There is nowhere for the clamps I've used to grab the wheel as it is all rubber wheel. Any suggestions?

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You need a puller that looks like this. The split clamshell goes behind the steering wheel hub & the puller shaft nose goes into the protective peg in the end of the steering shaft, which I mentioned in a previous post. See attached pic.
https://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ProductDisplay/c-10614/s-10101/p-219364/mediaCode-ZX/appId-528435

There should be a tool rental shop somewhere that has one. Get something that the clamshell id is close to the wheel back hub id. At worst, you might have to buy the puller & grind the clamshell to fit the back of your hub.

The Harbor freight tool mentioned won't help, as it relies on threaded holes in the steering wheel. The pulling force must be exerted on the BACK side of the wheel. It might work in conjunction with a clamshell which is available separately.
D
 

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Thank You Fokkerfreighter & Dave Russel. Any help or pics you could send would be greatly appreciated!!! I mean truly appreciated! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
There is an attachment pic on my previous post. Click on attachment at the top of the post. If you click on the JC Whitney URL it will take you to the same pic & info.
D
 
On my midget 1500 there are holes on each side of the bolt. That is where you attach the puller to. It has been 6 years since I took my wheel off for the first time, I can't remember if I had to thread them or not. When you use the puller just remember to grease the puller. I will try to enclose some pictures of how to set it up.
As you can see from the picture my midget is in the garage with a fresh coat of paint and is waiting on its interior. (The tan blobs are from the buffing compound.)
 

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I have been thinking about it and I think I drilled and tapped the holes on the wheel, so you probably don't have them. It is easy material to drill and tap, and you can keep the stock wheel. I still think it is the cheapest way you can get the wheel off. I will attach a picture of the wheel with the two holes that I think I must have drilled. Like I said it has been over six years and can't really remember if I drilled them for sure, but think I did. I hope this helps. I remember beating my head trying to get the wheel off when my turn signal switch quit working.
 

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Now, that last pic was a REAL help. I'll be drilling the hole in mine next week. Anything else I should know or that you may remember would be great...I know it's been six years.
Thanks,
Mario
 
I dont think I would drill holes in this type of wheel. I still say get the biggest guy you know and do it as previously suggested, believe me a big enough guy could probably pull the whole steering column out of that car.
 
That's the problem, a big guy could pull the column out and the steering wheel would still be stuck. Having said that, it could still break loose without a puller. Otherwise, I'm envisioning using a couple of lengths of angle iron and a generic puller. My fear of drilling and tapping the wheel is that it will stretch the metal and strip the threads.
 
I went outside and looked, I used the 1/4" bolts out of the puller set. Look at your tap set to figure out what size drill bit you should end up using to make the tap work. Someone may know on the forum.
 
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