Steering wheel removal?

[d@rk51d3]

Ok guys, I'm getting frustrated.

I'm trying to remove the Steering wheel from my 2a, so I can pull the steering shaft & box, to start patching my firewall.

The bugger won't come off!:mad:

I've loosened / removed the reaining bolt, soaked the centre with CRC, WD40, even brake fluid. She's been soaking for a good month now.

I've tried getting it off buy suspending the box, and driving out the shaft with a heavy bolt down through the wheel centre..... I've got maybe 1mm movement.

Can't fit a wheel puller, as it will crush the indicator returen cylinder.


AAAARRRRGH!!!!:mad::mad::mad:

[Blknight.aus]

warm it up with your wifes hair drier for about 30 minutes on a high setting then belt it one...

assuming its still in vehicle theres some other tricks as well.

that ones the least damaging

[d@rk51d3]

Thanks. ;)

I'll give it a try.


Firewall is in the garage, laying face down on the floor. I hold / suspend the steering wheel on my knee, which allows the box (steering :p) to dangle.

I'll let you know how it goes.

[Blknight.aus]

assuming youve got the ability make a pusher bracket to mount behind the steering wheel and push on the firewall all you should need is some flat plate to make the pusher from, some tube welded to that to slide some bolts into and some longish bolts with a couple of nuts and washer.

wind the nuts onto the bolts and insert the threads into the tubes then place the whole jig behind the steeringwheel boss put some pressurre on by winding the nuts off of the bolts (turn the nut not the bolt) then do the heat and whack thing.

from memory tho there should be 2 1/4 unf thread holes in the middle of the steering wheel on a pcd of about 1.75 inch either side of the main retaining nut. Theres a "special" puller just for them.

[rovercare]

Pull on one side REAL hard and smack the other from behind with a rubber mallet, rotate and repeat;)

Oh yea, remember to leave the nut on a little, trust me, it hurts your sniffer if you don;t:eek:

[Blknight.aus]

oh and wear gloves...

the hurt on your sniffer if you forget to leave the retainer bolt on is not as much as the hurt on your hands when the plastic fracture and the wire spokes give out

[d@rk51d3]

There is no retainer bolt, other than the one that nips up the groove that allows the wheel hub to spread off of the shaft.


Mind you, I've taken a few punches to the nose while tuning my bow last week.

Pulling back with a 70lb draw, and the release lets go prematurely and..... BAM! :eek::eek::D:D

[Blknight.aus]

nut, I ment nut..

see thats what happens when I post while drunk I get me bolts n nuts mixed up....

ever seen someone trying to use a tap to rethread a bolt...

I tells ya.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

I'm a little confused when people talk about the big nut.

I am assuming we are talking about the early 2a steering wheel. The one with wire spokes, a nut and bolt securing it to the shaft.

You have tries most of the ways to get it off. Have you tried WD40/CRC and heat. A bunsen or Primus flame onto the centre of the shaft till it's almost red hot then let it cool before attempting to remove the wheel.
Have you tried a wedge into the clamp slot.

Sometimes the penetrating fluid and heat method requires overnight cooling after heating.

[d@rk51d3]

Thanks Diana,

Yes, I've wedged the slot, the wheel and shaft has been soaking for almost 2 months now, with a variety of lubricants.

Heat is the next step.........one of these days. Probably not today.:(


Dad has invited up some friends of his, for dinner tonight at his place.

........Forgot to tell Mum, ..........and then told them I was cooking Chinese for them......... .:mad:


Like I can just pull that from my butt, with no notice!

Apparently I can, and am.

[d@rk51d3]

Well, I'm not with Stupid................ I am Stupid.


After trying the recommended heat & bash method with no luck, I decided to completely remove the little bolt that tightens the wheel to the shaft, instead of just loosening it..............


......... and the wheel then fell off in my hand.:o


It turns out that the bolt serves two functions, it not only nips up the tightening groove in the wheel (the obvious function), but.......runs through a groove in the shaft itself, and serves as a lock to prevent the wheel sliding up or down.

Now I've got a flat spot that runs half way up the shaft, where the bolt dragged its way up. :o:D:D

Is it too early for a drink?:(

[dullbird]

Glad you had these problems saves us having them when the time comes :p:D

[Lotz-A-Landies]

...
After trying the recommended heat & bash method with no luck, I decided to completely remove the little bolt that tightens the wheel to the shaft, instead of just loosening it..............

.... Is it too early for a drink?:(
Just assumed that you had removed the bolt. :( As they say, never assume anything.

It's always after 10am somewhere in the world, have a drink! :) (But not if you're still a teenager if recent research is to be believed) :D :D

[JDNSW]

Well, I'm not with Stupid................ I am Stupid.



Oh dear! - I've been away, and just read this thread - and spotted the problem on your word "loosened"!

John

[Aaron IIA]

I've loosened / removed the reaining bolt, soaked the centre with CRC, WD40, even brake fluid. She's been soaking for a good month now.


From your first post, I assumed that you had already removed the bolt. At least you have got the steering wheel off now.

Aaron.

[Dinty]

G'day All, Ditto here, (just read the posts) and I assumed you removed the 'pinch bolt' well ya live n learn hopefully LOL cheers Dennis:angel:
ps sometimes they can be a P.I.A especially if left out in the weather,,.:(

[d@rk51d3]

Hey Diana................ Physical age, or mental? I could be in trouble with one of those. :D

And yes, I did initially remove the pinch bolt, but put it back when it showed no apparent benefit, and was afraid of it "walking" like so many other bits in my "shed".

I guess I assumed too. You know what they say about that........ except that I only made an ass out of me.:(

[sclarke]

For years i cursed at getting steering wheels off....

Easy trick...

sit in the drivers seat. make a fist with both hands and strike the wheel in all the O'clock positions one hit at a time, so left fist then right then left then right..... so act like an ape and beat the wheel instead of your chest... then grab the wheel and presto.. it pulls off....

i have removed many in the cars ive wrecked and when i was shown this trick it was amazing how easy they come off.....

want me to make a Video???

[Aaron IIA]

I used a bearing collar and a Sykes Pickavant hydraulic puller. These can develop many tonnes of force, and letting the hydraulic advantage do the work is easier than any beating method.

Aaron.

[kodez23]

For years i cursed at getting steering wheels off....

Easy trick...

sit in the drivers seat. make a fist with both hands and strike the wheel in all the O'clock positions one hit at a time, so left fist then right then left then right..... so act like an ape and beat the wheel instead of your chest... then grab the wheel and presto.. it pulls off....

i have removed many in the cars ive wrecked and when i was shown this trick it was amazing how easy they come off.....

want me to make a Video???

Bingo! Worked a treat for me , didn't even hit it real hard cause I didn't want to bend or damage anything. Now any clues on 100% correct orientation when putting it back on?
Cheers,
Dave