Steering Wheel Removal help?

[njoconnor]

So, I've located and read the various threads on removing the steering wheel. I don't have anyone strong/small/foolish enough to yank while I pound (even WITH the nut threaded on!). Off to the local tool store and come back with a wheel/bearing puller. All assembled and cranked down.....see pic:



Using a 1/2 in ratchet, I have the puller as tight as I can go, and still not a bit of budge from the steering wheel (though I have not yet found/tried a cheater). I even was desperate enough to cover the puller's hex end with a socket extension bar, and gave it a few good raps with the ball peen hammer. Nut's there to keep the whole thing from ventilating the garage door.....

Any ideas on what next? I need the wheel out of the way so I can pull the dash and prep the rest of the interior (and hopefully install a new dash this summer). I read about dropping the column, but I have those "round head" bolts and no room to Dremel a slot in the head or grab with a vise grips.

Thanks.....

Neil

[SoFlaFiat]

Neil, have you tried the PB Blaster, or WD-40?
Soak the splines and walk away, watch a movie, spray some more during intermission. There is no reason except some surface rust that it wouldn't pop off.
Heat is always good too but be careful not to get it too hot.

[BEEK]

this is going to sound real easy.. grab the wheel with 2 hands, push on one side while pulling on the other. fairly forcefully. this will remove the wheel every time, no tools needed

[njoconnor]

Thanks, guys! I'll try both. Got lots of WD-40 (I even have the red straws!). Think I'll sub Top Gear re-runs for the movie.... I'll also try the push pull with puller in place.

Neil

[vandor]

FWIW, if you can't remove it then removing the whole steering column is fairly easy.

[azruss]

rap on the edge of the hub with a hammer while the puller is still on. Sometimes too much force on the puller will tweek the wheel and put it in a bind.

[fiat218]

I screw the nut on flush with the shaft,knees under the steering will and one good rap on that nut off it comes

[Redline]

this is going to sound real easy.. grab the wheel with 2 hands, push on one side while pulling on the other. fairly forcefully. this will remove the wheel every time, no tools needed

Left-right-left-right always works for me as well.

[profcucchi]

Probably a very late reply, but a fellow Fiat driver told me to:

1. unscrew the nut until it's flush
2. brace my knees under the wheel
3. then take a hammer and nail-driver and hit the center of the nut.

#1 and 2 have been mentioned before, but 3 is a easy method to get it off.
(Sounds very wrong when typed out. )