Banjo Steering Wheel Removal Help

[Bruce/Texas]

I have a banjo steering wheel that is well stuck onto the steering shaft. There are six 5/16 dia. bosses in the hub integral to the rather thin "spokes" on the inside of the hub. I could drill and tap these bosses for 3/16 (#10) bolts and use a gear puller but I think the 3/16 bolts will just pull out of the bosses when applying force to the puller.

Is the banjo hub aluminum? I wonder if applying some heat from a propane torch to the inside of the hub while applying moderate load to the gear puller would work. Would a little heat from the propane torch harm the steering wheel hub? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance, Bruce.

 

[RonC]

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47269&highlight=steering+wheel

I can help you! Sure fire way. Do it EXACTLY as I describe.
Screw nut partly on, sit with your feet planted on floor, grasp steering wheel at both sides, with elbows STRAIGHT, lean your upper body back STRAIGHT, ROCK YOUR UPPER BODY SIDE TO SIDE WITHOUT BENDING YOUR ELBOWS.The secret is that one arm pulls up on the wheel, while the other pushes down at the SAME time, and this will cause the taper to "POP" loose. I haven't had to use a puller since the '50's after learning this from an old pro!!
Be sure to have the nut partly on or you will surely get a nose bleed when it pops loose.

 

[JM 35 Sedan]

I would suggest not using heat to remove that wheel. I made a puller that pulls up against the hub. Has worked every time for me on some really tight fitting steering wheels. I could post pictures pulling a banjo wheel if you would like to see them. I believe there is also a KRW type steering wheel puller being sold by someone.

Edit: After I ruined a nice steering wheel trying to use other methods of removal I made this puller. This has never failed to pull a steering wheel for me. Pictures attached

 

[Andy]

Buy a bearing seperator from Harbour Freight. Put it under the wheel with some rags for cushion. Put a bolt in the shaft hole and use a two jaw puller. You will not hurt anything using this method. It mimics the tool that Ford used. Do not heat the wheel or beat on the end of the shaft. I would not drill and tap as you don't know what is in there.

 

[Bruce/Texas]

Thanks for the replies! I'll try the "straight arm method" tonight. JM35, please post some pics of pulling a banjo.

 

[Andy]

Bruce, Where are you. If you are close, maybe I could come over and get it off. The straight arm method sounds iffy. It has never worked for me and risks bending the wheel.
The big bearing seperator is often $10 at HF. It is usefull for other things. I take it in my tool box at junk yards if I think there might be a wheel I should get.

 

[Bruce/Texas]

JM 35, Thanks for the photos. Thats some nice machine work!

Andy, I'm in Ft Worth, quite a ways from Kerville unfortunately. I'll check out the bearing seperator at HF.

 

[Hoop]

One of my favorite pictures ... a streetrodders method of getting the banjo wheel off to make it easier to remove the body ...

 

[Bruce/Texas]

Update. I procured one of those large bearing splitters from Harbor Freight. Using a medium sized two jaw gear puller with the splitter, the wheel came off easily. There was residue of some type of gray epoxy type material (JB Weld?) on the taper and around the woodruff key presumably to take up any slop in the taper. Thanks for all the advise. Bruce

 

[B-O-B]

Thanks for the report on the happy ending. So many people follow the advice & never report back on how it went.

 

[Mike in AZ]

glad you got the wheel pulled without major problems...perhaps it was anti-seize??....Mike

 

[34 Millrat]

Just pulled mine. Used this huge gear splitter, worked great no damage. Just priced a reso on the wheel (gasp gasp, 975.00 PC-7 looks good to me)

 

[Kerk]

I would leave the nut on the shaft but loose so the threads do not get damaged. jmo kx

 

[JM 35 Sedan]

I would leave the nut on the shaft but loose so the threads do not get damaged. jmo kx

You are correct Kerk. When using my puller I back the nut off until it is flush with the top of the steering shaft threads. Then I put a soft piece of steel between the nut and the threaded pusher screw/bolt on the puller. The nut and this piece of steel can be seen in one of the pictures. I also use pieces of leather between puller and hub to avoid damaging the bottom of the hub.