Steering wheel removal

[ga.spyder]

I got a box o parts in the mail today(thanks,Matt),among them a hub for the really nice Personal wheel I have.I am putting it on the 77 in place of the skinny resin wheel.Butt....I cant get the damn thing off.No problem with the horn,or the nut.It wont budge. The manual says remove nut and gently pull off wheel. HA!! Is there a method or do I nrrd some kind of wheel puller?I dont want to damage anything,and the wheel is being shipped out.Any advise?I have tapped on it ,put the nut on and tapped the center nut,sprayed some penetrating oil,etc... Thanks.
Craig

[ventura ace]

With the nut on, and backed off just a couple of turns, have someone whack the center of the steering post while you are sitting in the driver seat and pulling up hard on the wheel. To whack the steering post, use a 1/2" ratchet extension and a big hammer. Make sure that the retaining nut is on! (if not the steering wheel may bong you in the nose when it finally lets go.

Alvon

[ga.spyder]

Thanks ,Alvon.I was trying to do it myself,and obviously couldnt pull and hit at the same time.I figured it would eventually let loose,but just wanted to make sure I didnt miss something.After 33 years,it doesnt want to say goodbye
Craig

[ventura ace]

You could try pulling up with your knees while trying to hit the post to jar it loose. Once you get it loose, put a little anti-sieze on the parts, and it shouldn't be too hard to get off the next time. It's a tapered fit. That's why it gets so tight, but you really don't need to tighten the nut so darn much, and it will come off easy the next time.

A

[mbouse]

here's where you need that 9 year old apprentice. have him lay down under the dash, and push up on the wheel with his feet, while you bonk on the shaft with a dead blow hammer.

[ga.spyder]

Alas,no 9 year old apprentice.I do,however have a 16 yr. old daughter.I had her recline the seat ,turn her head,and pull!I then struck some mighty blows with my BFH.Voila...it came right off.Denise told me she has never been able to get her 72 wheel off,and the wheel on our LeMons racer is also stuck.So,I am off to Winston-Salem to remove steering wheels with me favorite BFH! Thanks guys,
Craig

[manoa matt]

Alvon likes to bang on things with his big hammer. I usually work it off by shaking it loose with hands at 9 and 3 o'clock. and 6 and 12 o'clock. Or give the rim a few wacks from the underside with the palm of your hand. You can also try a 3 jaw puller.

[mbouse]

craig,

what? BFH but no daughter? they sounded like a matched pair, like bookends... and now you are separating them?

[ventura ace]

. . . likes to bang on things with his big hammer. I usually work it off by shaking it loose with hands at 9 and 3 o'clock. and 6 and 12 o'clock. Or give the rim a few wacks from the underside . . . .

Those sound like complements to me!

A

[bwilson27]

(if not the steering wheel may bong you in the nose when it finally lets go.
Alvon

I've done that exact thing. I gave myself a bloody nose and felt quite stupid for quite awhile.

[ga.spyder]

I used the 'Alvon Method' to remove the wheel on the Le Mons racer.Then I headed toward Denise's prize winning 72...BFH in hand. She is probably still screaming 'Get the hell away from my car!!!!!"
Craig

[idocdan]

Sheesh- the wheel in my '72 wasn't budging. Autozone rented a 1/2" drive breaker bar for the nut (24mm), but in the end I went back for a gear puller. That made the job a cinch, and Autozone (and others I presume) charge for the tools and refund entirely upon return. Don't make a simple job difficult--go get the tools and it won't cost you a dime.