Tips for removing steering wheel, 36coupe

Tom's36coupe

Tom's36coupe

Well-known member
Starting to work on the interior of my 36 coupe, it has the original style banjo wheel with rotating center section for lights and horn. What is the trick in getting the hub off to get at the bolt to remove it? Thanks!
 
I use a hub knocker nut after removing the regular nut, BFH and both knees under the wheel pushing up. They pop right off. There is a Ford steering wheel puller, KRW that reaches under the wheel as a puller, that is being repoped and available from some of the peddlers. I like the knocker nut thing because the underside of these old wheels is often brittle.
 
There is a C-clip on the bottom of the light switch rod that you need to remove before you can pull the light switch rod and handle assy out . You may also have interference with your roof-headliner . You need to remove the light switch to get at the C-clip . If you have problems give a shout and I can send pics but parts books also have pics of this stuff . David J
 
To get at the nut, you first need to remove the light switch/horn rod assembly. Simply remove the 'horseshoe' clip at the bottom of the steering box, which holds in the fork and spring. Then the whole rod/switch assembly will pull out from the top.
 
Please don't hit the steering shaft with a BFH. You are just hammering the lower bearing in the steering box. You can ruin the worm gear and bearing. I use a $10 bearing seperator from Harbour F. It is two C shaped steel bars on big bolts. I put that under the steering wheel and cushion the load with a rag. Use a two jaw puller and the wheel is off with no damage. I have pulled more wheels this way than I can remember.
 
If you do a search for "pulling steering wheel" or maybe "steering wheel puller" you may find some previous posts on this subject. I had put up some pictures of a steering wheel puller that I made. Works very well and can get the most stubborn wheels to pop right off. I would not suggest beating on the shaft or under the steering wheel to try to get it off.
 
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I took some advice from here on the Ford barn (sorry I can't remember from whom it was ) and drilled the three indents on the steering wheel hub, then tapped them for bolts and used a modern steering wheel puller. It worked great.
 
If you use the knocker nut, you are not hitting the threads on the shaft. Never buggered one up that way.
 
One hint . . . . .

Make every effort NOT to bend the horn rod as you remove it. Resist the temptation to sneak it out. If it is a closed car you may (probably) will need to loosen the steering mounting bolts and drop the column down so you can get the rod out without bending it.

Once bent they are usually not salvageable,

Take extra time and you will save yourself a headache.

Regards,

Henry
 
Henryat1140 said:
One hint . . . . .

Make every effort NOT to bend the horn rod as you remove it. Resist the temptation to sneak it out. If it is a closed car you may (probably) will need to loosen the steering mounting bolts and drop the column down so you can get the rod out without bending it.

Once bent they are usually not salvageable,

Take extra time and you will save yourself a headache.

Regards,

Henry
Click to expand...


x2 that, ask me how I know...
 
I got my wheel off with a puller any ideas how to get the steering shaft out of the box so i can remove my steering box? On my 36 truck
 
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