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what's the trick to getting a steering wheel off?
- Thread starter RobSelina
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jlaird
Great Pumpkin
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Ok here we go, put the nut back on several turns. This keeps you from getting a face full of steering wheel when it does come loose.
The wheel is splined to the steering shaft, as many as 27 I think splines on some models. It gets a bit rusty in there and the shaft has a taper as well. Lots of area with that many splines.
Squirt a bit of PB Blaster around the nut spline area and let soak, adding more from time to time, over several days. Also tap, TAP the end of the steering arm with a small hammer, TAP LIGHTLY. This hopefully loosens the rust a bit and allows the blaster to soak down inside.
Don't "pull hard" or beat your steering wheel with a hammer. It's a good way to damage it.
Now comes the hard part, grab stoutly and yank holding the wheel close to the hub. Don't break the wheel. Did it come, good we're done.
If not tap it from behind with a rubber hammer softly while pulling with your knees. Did it come yet?
Oh, It didn't, sigh. Gona need a wheel puller and it is going to be tough to get it off without damaging something.
Do it right using a puller. They are inexpensive. Harbor Freight sells them for 11 bucks and Autozone lends out the puller with a 100% refundable deposit.
Proceed slowly with caution and never try to pull it without a nut on the shaft a few threads at least.
Last resort, propane or mapp gas on the perimeter of the in side of the hub, you wont hurt the hub, not hot enough hopefully. But be awful careful if the wheel is worth saveing.
The wheel is splined to the steering shaft, as many as 27 I think splines on some models. It gets a bit rusty in there and the shaft has a taper as well. Lots of area with that many splines.
Squirt a bit of PB Blaster around the nut spline area and let soak, adding more from time to time, over several days. Also tap, TAP the end of the steering arm with a small hammer, TAP LIGHTLY. This hopefully loosens the rust a bit and allows the blaster to soak down inside.
Don't "pull hard" or beat your steering wheel with a hammer. It's a good way to damage it.
Now comes the hard part, grab stoutly and yank holding the wheel close to the hub. Don't break the wheel. Did it come, good we're done.
If not tap it from behind with a rubber hammer softly while pulling with your knees. Did it come yet?
Oh, It didn't, sigh. Gona need a wheel puller and it is going to be tough to get it off without damaging something.
Do it right using a puller. They are inexpensive. Harbor Freight sells them for 11 bucks and Autozone lends out the puller with a 100% refundable deposit.
Proceed slowly with caution and never try to pull it without a nut on the shaft a few threads at least.
Last resort, propane or mapp gas on the perimeter of the in side of the hub, you wont hurt the hub, not hot enough hopefully. But be awful careful if the wheel is worth saveing.
77_MG_Midget
Jedi Trainee
Offline
[ QUOTE ]
I've always used a wheel puller.
[/ QUOTE ] /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif Just my 2 cents, but don't "pull hard" or beat your steering wheel with a hammer. It's a good way to damage it. Do it right using a puller. They are inexpensive. Harbor Freight sells them for 11 bucks. https://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=37824
I've always used a wheel puller.
[/ QUOTE ] /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif Just my 2 cents, but don't "pull hard" or beat your steering wheel with a hammer. It's a good way to damage it. Do it right using a puller. They are inexpensive. Harbor Freight sells them for 11 bucks. https://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=37824
Trevor Jessie
Yoda
Offline
Re: what's the trick to getting a steering wheel o
Autozone lends out the puller with 100% refundable deposit.
Autozone lends out the puller with 100% refundable deposit.
jlaird
Great Pumpkin
Offline
Re: what's the trick to getting a steering wheel o
You guys see what I am doing. I am building a complalation of everyones ideas and comments for the knowledge base. When finished and someone askes this question again they can be refered to the base and this article.
So be pickie and lets get it right.
You guys see what I am doing. I am building a complalation of everyones ideas and comments for the knowledge base. When finished and someone askes this question again they can be refered to the base and this article.
So be pickie and lets get it right.
OP
RobSelina
Jedi Warrior
Offline
Re: what's the trick to getting a steering wheel o
picked up a puller from autzone. Was only $15 so I might actually keep it for the next time I need it.
Unfortunately, the new wheel didn't show today as planned, so I get to wait until tomorrow to pull it...
Thanks for the comments guys!
picked up a puller from autzone. Was only $15 so I might actually keep it for the next time I need it.
Unfortunately, the new wheel didn't show today as planned, so I get to wait until tomorrow to pull it...
Thanks for the comments guys!
10musketeer
Jedi Trainee
Offline
Re: what's the trick to getting a steering wheel o
I finally got mine off by soaking the splines in break-free overnight, then puting a gear puller on and tightning it as tight as you feel comfortable with, then tapping (hitting and beating) from behind, alternating all sides. When it came off it banged so loud, I thought the car broke in half! Watch your teeth!
I finally got mine off by soaking the splines in break-free overnight, then puting a gear puller on and tightning it as tight as you feel comfortable with, then tapping (hitting and beating) from behind, alternating all sides. When it came off it banged so loud, I thought the car broke in half! Watch your teeth!
Baz
Yoda
Offline
Re: what's the trick to getting a steering wheel o
What size is this retaining nut?
It must be an inch and a half! I ask because I have no spanners or sockets past 7/8 so if I'm going to buy a special tool, can anyone tell me what size it is exactly please?
This is going to be a bear, I can feel it.
What size is this retaining nut?
It must be an inch and a half! I ask because I have no spanners or sockets past 7/8 so if I'm going to buy a special tool, can anyone tell me what size it is exactly please?
This is going to be a bear, I can feel it.
Offline
Re: what's the trick to getting a steering wheel o
The MGB is 1-5/16" ... IIRC they are the same for the Spridgets. A 3/4" drive socket, adaptor to reduce to 1/2" drive and a breaker bar is the 'rig' I've always used. And ~usually~ if the wheel's been off before, some burke will have used a CHISEL on the nut. It means ya gotta file down the damage to get the socket over the nut most times.
Wheel removal: after treating it over days with "weasel pee" (I really DO perfer PB Blaster), and the nut flush with the end of the shaft, knees behind to put some pressure on it, I whack the shaft/nut with a deadblow hammer. If I need to declare "No Joy" after two or three tries, then out comes the puller set. John's comment about the sound when it frees off is spot-on. Sounds like an explosion sometimes. Do yerself a favor on reinstallation and put a thin film of Anti-Seize on the splines. It'll likely be YOU who takes it off next time, too.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
The MGB is 1-5/16" ... IIRC they are the same for the Spridgets. A 3/4" drive socket, adaptor to reduce to 1/2" drive and a breaker bar is the 'rig' I've always used. And ~usually~ if the wheel's been off before, some burke will have used a CHISEL on the nut. It means ya gotta file down the damage to get the socket over the nut most times.
Wheel removal: after treating it over days with "weasel pee" (I really DO perfer PB Blaster), and the nut flush with the end of the shaft, knees behind to put some pressure on it, I whack the shaft/nut with a deadblow hammer. If I need to declare "No Joy" after two or three tries, then out comes the puller set. John's comment about the sound when it frees off is spot-on. Sounds like an explosion sometimes. Do yerself a favor on reinstallation and put a thin film of Anti-Seize on the splines. It'll likely be YOU who takes it off next time, too.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
bugimike
Yoda
Offline
Re: what's the trick to getting a steering wheel o
Here's one more...knee pressure at 6:00 o'clock, rhythmic fist bumping to back of wheel at approx. 10:00 & 2:00 (towards you), alternating side to side /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif(after above-mentioned PB Blaster soaking & Jacks excellent suggestion of replacing nut loosely - esp. if you have ever "eaten" a wheel!!). A little light /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif on the shaft helps too. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
Here's one more...knee pressure at 6:00 o'clock, rhythmic fist bumping to back of wheel at approx. 10:00 & 2:00 (towards you), alternating side to side /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif(after above-mentioned PB Blaster soaking & Jacks excellent suggestion of replacing nut loosely - esp. if you have ever "eaten" a wheel!!). A little light /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif on the shaft helps too. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
regularman
Yoda
Offline
Re: what's the trick to getting a steering wheel o
[ QUOTE ]
What size is this retaining nut?
It must be an inch and a half! I ask because I have no spanners or sockets past 7/8 so if I'm going to buy a special tool, can anyone tell me what size it is exactly please?
This is going to be a bear, I can feel it.
[/ QUOTE ]Mine was one of them funky British sizes, no standard or metric would fit it well, and the nut is aluminum(at least on mine) so be careful beating on it.
[ QUOTE ]
What size is this retaining nut?
It must be an inch and a half! I ask because I have no spanners or sockets past 7/8 so if I'm going to buy a special tool, can anyone tell me what size it is exactly please?
This is going to be a bear, I can feel it.
[/ QUOTE ]Mine was one of them funky British sizes, no standard or metric would fit it well, and the nut is aluminum(at least on mine) so be careful beating on it.
