Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-10-2011, 03:07 PM   #1
700rpm
Senior Member
 
700rpm's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 5,892
Default Removing a steering wheel - SOLVED!

I have tried three kinds of pullers on this 1930 wheel, and it will not budge. It's on tapered/keyed shaft, it's a relatively new wheel (last five years or so), and I've soaked it overnight with PB Blaster.

Nada.

Any suggestions?

Last edited by 700rpm; 09-12-2011 at 06:30 PM.
700rpm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2011, 04:04 PM   #2
BILL WILLIAMSON
Senior Member
 
BILL WILLIAMSON's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
Posts: 12,560
Default Re: Removing a steering wheel - or not

Quote:
Originally Posted by 700rpm View Post
I have tried three kinds of pullers on this 1930 wheel, and it will not budge. It's on tapered/keyed shaft, it's a relatively new wheel (last five years or so), and I've soaked it overnight with PB Blaster.

Nada.

Any suggestions?
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.
__________________
"THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"
BILL WILLIAMSON is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 09-10-2011, 07:40 PM   #3
Purdy Swoft
Senior Member
 
Purdy Swoft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
Default Re: Removing a steering wheel - or not

The rear axle has the same threads as the steering shaft. You can use the rear hub remover called the knock off wheel puller. This inexpensive tool is listed on page 156 of the 2011 Brattons catalog. This tool can be screwed on to the steering shaft where the steering wheel nut goes. the tool will bottom on the steering shaft before it reaches the steering wheel. With the tool bottomed on the steering shaft you will need to pull firmly up on thr steering wheel while someone strikes the tool firmly with about a three pound drilling hammer. You might could sit in the drivers seat with your nees pressing up on the wheel while striking the tool with a hammer yourself. I have preformed this operation many times myself and it works very good. With the tool bottomed on the shaft there is no danger of harming the threads if you strike the tool squarly. this is much safer than striking the steering wheel nut. I also have the steering wheel puller and both tools require striking with a hammer, maybe this is why it hasn't worked for you. Good luck, it should be fairly simple
Purdy Swoft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2011, 08:23 PM   #4
700rpm
Senior Member
 
700rpm's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 5,892
Default Re: Removing a steering wheel - or not

Thank you, gentlemen, but neither of those methods worked either. But I'm still open to other suggestions.

I have pulled other wheels and never had this much trouble. I'm thinking whoever put this thing on used some kind of super adhesive.
700rpm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2011, 09:11 PM   #5
BILL WILLIAMSON
Senior Member
 
BILL WILLIAMSON's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
Posts: 12,560
Default Re: Removing a steering wheel - or not

Quote:
Originally Posted by 700rpm View Post
Thank you, gentlemen, but neither of those methods worked either. But I'm still open to other suggestions.

I have pulled other wheels and never had this much trouble. I'm thinking whoever put this thing on used some kind of super adhesive.
Steering gear has to be IN the car! Take out back cushion out so your body is straight, even if your head is up to the roof! SECRET IS TO KEEP ELBOWS straight and rock your whole body from side to side with your feet as a pivot point.
Put your feet alongside clutch and brake, up where floorboard meets firewall, that will give you more room. It's easier in cars that have reclining seats!! I have done it numerous times in Model A's though.
__________________
"THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

Last edited by BILL WILLIAMSON; 09-10-2011 at 09:24 PM. Reason: ADDITION
BILL WILLIAMSON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2011, 09:18 PM   #6
CarlG
Senior Member
 
CarlG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 9,109
Default Re: Removing a steering wheel - or not

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
With the steering column out of the car, I still couldn't get the wheel off. The steering wheel puller that the vendors sell was useless, it even started to bend, and it still wasn't budging. I took the whole mess over to an automotive machine shop, They drilled and tapped a couple of holes and used a puller for a modern wheel, came right off. Holes are covered up by the light switch, so no one is the wiser.
CarlG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2011, 10:01 PM   #7
Purdy Swoft
Senior Member
 
Purdy Swoft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
Default Re: Removing a steering wheel - or not

Did you hit the part of the puller that contacts the steering shaft with a hammer to jar the steering wheel loose?
Purdy Swoft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2011, 10:13 PM   #8
Mike V. Florida
Senior Member
 
Mike V. Florida's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 14,054
Send a message via AIM to Mike V. Florida
Default Re: Removing a steering wheel - or not

Quote:
Originally Posted by 700rpm View Post
Thank you, gentlemen, but neither of those methods worked either. But I'm still open to other suggestions.

I have pulled other wheels and never had this much trouble. I'm thinking whoever put this thing on used some kind of super adhesive.
I'm thinking heat to soften the adhesive, not open flame but maybe a heat gun along with one of the above methods.
__________________
What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II
Mike V. Florida is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2011, 11:22 PM   #9
700rpm
Senior Member
 
700rpm's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 5,892
Default Re: Removing a steering wheel - or not

Quote:
Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft View Post
Did you hit the part of the puller that contacts the steering shaft with a hammer to jar the steering wheel loose?
Yep. I'm thinking I didn't have a heavy enough hammer, though.

I've got it soaking tonight in a witches brew of PB Blaster, lacquer thinner, and rubber cement thinner. We'll see what the morrow brings.
700rpm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2011, 12:27 AM   #10
BILL WILLIAMSON
Senior Member
 
BILL WILLIAMSON's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
Posts: 12,560
Default Re: Removing a steering wheel - or not

I give up, the dog & I are going to bed. If you lived next door, I could have your steering wheel off in 37 seconds!
I had an excellent instructor.
__________________
"THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"
BILL WILLIAMSON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2011, 01:41 AM   #11
1931 flamingo
Senior Member
 
1931 flamingo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: new britain,ct 06052
Posts: 9,389
Default Re: Removing a steering wheel - or not

If witche's brew doesn't work, try 50/50 mix of acetone and atf.
Paul in CT
1931 flamingo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2011, 09:10 AM   #12
Purdy Swoft
Senior Member
 
Purdy Swoft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
Default Re: Removing a steering wheel - or not

Be careful that the lacquer thinner doesn't get on the paint.
Purdy Swoft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2011, 09:53 AM   #13
700rpm
Senior Member
 
700rpm's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 5,892
Default Re: Removing a steering wheel - or not

Quote:
Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON View Post
I give up, the dog & I are going to bed. If you lived next door, I could have your steering wheel off in 37 seconds!
I had an excellent instructor.
Bill, I might just bring it down to you!
700rpm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2011, 09:47 PM   #14
BILL WILLIAMSON
Senior Member
 
BILL WILLIAMSON's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
Posts: 12,560
Default Re: Removing a steering wheel - or not

Quote:
Originally Posted by 700rpm View Post
Bill, I might just bring it down to you!
I was disapointed that you didn't understand my technique. It DOES work EVERY time if done properly!
Tapered fits are a bitch to break loose. I truly hope that some others out there understood my method.
__________________
"THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"
BILL WILLIAMSON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2011, 12:20 AM   #15
700rpm
Senior Member
 
700rpm's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 5,892
Default Re: Removing a steering wheel - or not

Quote:
Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON View Post
I was disapointed that you didn't understand my technique. It DOES work EVERY time if done properly!
Tapered fits are a bitch to break loose. I truly hope that some others out there understood my method.
It's out of the car; I think that's why your method didn't work for me.
700rpm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2011, 04:07 PM   #16
Larry Seemann
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Spokane, WA.
Posts: 496
Default Re: Removing a steering wheel - or not

With the column out of the car this is how I do it. 1. Loosen the nut so that it is flush with the top of the treads. 2. find a bolt the same size as the inside of the shaft so that it will fit down into the shaft. 3. put a heavy washer on the bolt but with a hole in the washer only as big as the bolt diameter. 4. Put the bolt down the hole. 5. (If you're right handed) hold the wheel in your left arm so that the circumference is supported by your left hand and arm suspended up off the floor. 6. using a 2 or 3 pound hammer smack the top of the bolt using your right hand to swing the hammer. The shock should break the taper's grasp. Make sure that the nut is flush with the top of the shaft where the threads are to avoid any damage to the threads.
__________________
Larry Seemann
Larry Seemann is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2011, 06:37 PM   #17
700rpm
Senior Member
 
700rpm's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 5,892
Default Re: Removing a steering wheel - SOLVED!

First, thanks to everyone who made suggestions. I think it was a combination of all those methods that finally did the trick, but here is how we made it work:

I soaked the upper shaft over night with my witch's brew, described above. This morning a friend and I tackled it. After giving it a few ineffectual but solid raps with an 8-lb sledge and the hub puller, we turned it over, and with the steering wheel on the garage floor (on a pad), one of us kneeled on the wheel and gave it a severe wiggle and twist while the other stood with a foot on the far side of the wheel and helped work it from above. When we picked it up to see if it was loose, it fell off onto the floor.

Subsequent disassembly revealed myriad problems with previous work, but most things are reusable. I'll new buying a new shaft and worm gear, and a new upper race. That's it!
700rpm is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:01 PM.