Steering wheel removal?

J

Jalopy Tin

Senior Member
Will the upper cover at the spark and gas rods, go down, when i loosen the screw, or up, when i pull the steering wheel, with the steering wheel puller that i don't have... yet.
I have tried to tapp carefully with a bronz hammer on shaft/nut but nothing. Warming perhaps? Are there any easy ways removing the steering wheel?
/Tom
 
I put to small pry bars underneath the wheel after soaking the upper shaft and it should pop off

mike
 
Wait for your puller to arrive and then take care and go slowly.

My puller actually bent during the process of pulling the wheel on my 29 Roadster.

Remember to try loading the puller bit by bit and tapping the puller centre bolt with a heavy hammer to shock the system loose. When you replace the steering wheel be very cautious about tightening-up the steering wheel nut. It is possible to shear the threaded shaft - that's why there is a repair kit listed with Mac' / Snyder's etc.
 
Loosen the shaft nut,but, leave it on just flush with shaft.. Get yourself set and comfortable on the seat. Put your arms under the wheel and start pulling while someone gives the nut a whack.. I very seldom resort to using a puller on any steering wheel..
 
You mention screw? There are two screws that hold the upper steering shaft bushing in place, just under the steering wheel. No need to remove these screws to remove the steering wheel, and if you did remove them, the part under the gas/spark rods would still not move, as it's welded or brazed to the top of the column.
 
I had no luck with the wheel puller; it took a small chip out of the underside of the wheel before I gave up on that (glued the chip back on). I tried loosening the nut to just above the threads and tapping on it, holding it all off the ground, but it was obvious that was going to damage the threads, and the wheel still wouldn't move. I tried a rear axle hub knocker, and that damaged the threads. This was all after soaking it with PB Blaster for a week. I finally took it to my local Model A expert. He turned it upside-down, placed the wheel on a couple thicknesses of old towel on the ground, braced the wheel with his feet and wiggled the steering column gently until the wheel popped loose, after about three minutes.
 
Boy, you get alot different answers to a simple problem here on the "Barn". Different strokes for different folks I guess:rolleyes:. Here's how I do it. First, remove the horn button/shaft. Remove the nut (you done this already). You should see (4) blind indentions around the shaft. Pick (2) 180 degrees apart and drill a 17/64" hole in each all the way thru. Thread each hole for a 5/16" NC bolt. Use a standard bar-type steering wheel puller available any where and remove the steering wheel. Easy-peasy:). And you don't have to buy that fancy puller the parts houses sell.
DON'T BEAT ON THE STEERING SHAFT:eek:, IT IS VERY SOFT. YOU'LL BE SORRY:mad:.

Joe,,,,
 
You didn't mention the location of the column and steering wheel. If it is in the car I suggest that you pull the assembly out of the car since the horn rod will not easily come out in a closed car such as a sedan without endangering the headliner. There is not enough room at all in the Coupe. If the top goes down, no problem. Gar Williams
 
Maybe I wrongly assumed the assembly was still in the car.. If it is, all thats generally needed is pressure from the legs and forearms to remove the wheel.. If the hammer is needed, then use it judiciously..
 
VWJoe said:
Boy, you get alot different answers to a simple problem here on the "Barn". Different strokes for different folks I guess:rolleyes:. Here's how I do it. First, remove the horn button/shaft. Remove the nut (you done this already). You should see (4) blind indentions around the shaft. Pick (2) 180 degrees apart and drill a 17/64" hole in each all the way thru. Thread each hole for a 5/16" NC bolt. Use a standard bar-type steering wheel puller available any where and remove the steering wheel. Easy-peasy:). And you don't have to buy that fancy puller the parts houses sell.
DON'T BEAT ON THE STEERING SHAFT:eek:, IT IS VERY SOFT. YOU'LL BE SORRY:mad:.

Joe,,,,
Click to expand...
This is spot on to how I got mine off. But, of course, in the process of trying most of the methods above, I bent the puller I had bought from the parts houses clear out of shape and had damaged the threads on the shaft requiring another repair.

You do not see the new threaded holes once the light switch/horn button is re-installed.
 
VWJoe said:
Boy, you get alot different answers to a simple problem here on the "Barn". Different strokes for different folks I guess:rolleyes:. Here's how I do it. First, remove the horn button/shaft. Remove the nut (you done this already). You should see (4) blind indentions around the shaft. Pick (2) 180 degrees apart and drill a 17/64" hole in each all the way thru. Thread each hole for a 5/16" NC bolt. Use a standard bar-type steering wheel puller available any where and remove the steering wheel. Easy-peasy:). And you don't have to buy that fancy puller the parts houses sell.
DON'T BEAT ON THE STEERING SHAFT:eek:, IT IS VERY SOFT. YOU'LL BE SORRY:mad:.

Joe,,,,
Click to expand...

+1, worked for me!
 
VWJoe said:
Boy, you get alot different answers to a simple problem here on the "Barn". Different strokes for different folks I guess:rolleyes:. Here's how I do it. First, remove the horn button/shaft. Remove the nut (you done this already). You should see (4) blind indentions around the shaft. Pick (2) 180 degrees apart and drill a 17/64" hole in each all the way thru. Thread each hole for a 5/16" NC bolt. Use a standard bar-type steering wheel puller available any where and remove the steering wheel. Easy-peasy:). And you don't have to buy that fancy puller the parts houses sell.
DON'T BEAT ON THE STEERING SHAFT:eek:, IT IS VERY SOFT. YOU'LL BE SORRY:mad:.

Joe,,,,
Click to expand...

That's my way also!
 
"First, remove the horn button/shaft. Remove the nut (you done this already). You should see (4) blind indentions around the shaft. Pick (2) 180 degrees apart and drill a 17/64" hole in each all the way thru. Thread each hole for a 5/16" NC bolt. Use a standard bar-type steering wheel puller available any where and remove the steering wheel."

I will try this, first thing tomorrow :-) Will be back with the result..
/Tom
 
Could someone post a picture of "(4) blind indentions around the shaft".

I just removed my '31 Roadster steering wheel (using a borrowed 'A' puller with the 1/4" steel plate that goes under the wheel) and I don't see any indents...

Wouldn't mind making this modification for future use...
 
I just squirted mine with Kroil, let it sit for 30 minutes, leave the nut flush with the top of the threads, put upward pressure on it, hit the nut with a hard rubber hammer and bang its off. I don't believe this one has ever been off before.
 
bogiediver said:
Could someone post a picture of "(4) blind indentions around the shaft".

I just removed my '31 Roadster steering wheel (using a borrowed 'A' puller with the 1/4" steel plate that goes under the wheel) and I don't see any indents...

Wouldn't mind making this modification for future use...
Click to expand...


Bogiediver:

Here ya go. Notice (2) indentions are drill for 5/16" bolts:).

Joe,,,,
 

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