Can't Get the #@##%### Steering Wheel Off

[rs899]

I have been stymied in getting my project truck on the road because I can't get the brake lights and turn signals to work because I can't get the wheel off.

I am using a puller with two bolts in the wheel and a bolt torqued against the column shaft. I have applied lots of PBlaster and as much torque as I think the two small bolts can stand and it still won't budge. I have been playing with this (soaking, torquing) for months now.

Any suggestions? I hate to start prying on the wheel because its really in pretty good shape for bakelite or whatever they used.

Rick
67 F-100

[tubewatts]

could try heating the shaft real quick with a torch- carefully!

[Joshpow]

Keep putting lots of pressure on it with the puller is the only way I know of to get it of without tearing something up. It should turn loose if you use a puller on it anf the nut and washer is off the top of the shaft, which I'm sure you have done. The wheel on my 71 was tight, but I continued to put more pressure by tightening the puller and it popped loose. Dont pry on it, because you may mess up the column that way.
Sorry I cant help more.

[wekelm]

Make sure the bolts are in the wheel real good and just keep applying pressure with the center bolt. It will work.

[68F100]

I've never had one THAT stubborn.

Maybe get the puller set up, get some pressure on it, then give it a tap on the center bolt with a hammer. That might pop it loose.

I know it worked on a harmonic balancer puller for me.

[FORDification]

That happened to me once. I actually broke the puller, and couldn't figure out WHY the heck the "#@##%### Steering Wheel" wouldn't come off.

...until it dawned on me I forgot to remove the big nut on the end of the shaft, the one that holds the wheel on!

[flyboy2610]

Try putting the puller on and tighten it up good and tight. Put pressure on it. Then soak the shaft with penetrating oil (Don't use WD40, it's not made for this. Use real penetrating oil.) Then smack the shaft smartly with a hammer. Let it sit overnight. Come back next day and see if it made any difference. Repeat the process a few times. It should come off.

[jor]

Geez, I don't know if whackin' the steering column shaft is such a hot idea. I"m thinking it could damage the bearings or the worm gear in the steering box. I think I would use the penetrating oil and leave the puller in place with pressure on it overnight, tighten a bit and so on. Maybe a previous owner torqued it down too hard or maybe it has some rust on it. Let us know and good luck.
jor

[ttyR2]

I was able to pull the wheel off my '71 F250. Used a puller I fabricated out of a piece of 1/2" steel, threaded in the middle for a large coarse thread bolt (3/4" I think) and two holes for smaller bolts that screw down into the steering wheel hub itself. Those two bolts MUST be fine thread. Use coarse thread instead and you'll either tear the threads off the bolts or out of the hub, in which case you're kinda screwed.

I cranked down the puller good and tight (as in really tight) and then gave it a good sharp rap with a large ballpeen hammer and it popped right off. Using a smaller hammer will do more damage as you can't really hit it with enough umph to have it do any good. With the rag joint, there's not much chance of the shaft hitting the steering box and causing problems.

[rs899]

Guys-

I've tried all of that pretty much except heat. I may give that a try. I'm just afraid I will rip the two puller bolts out of the hub (and into me or the gas tank). I probably have about 40-50 lbs or torque on it now.

Rick

[68F250]

The two puller bolts are threaded all the way in right?

I wouldn't worry about pulling them out, the puller will break first.

Back off the puller and oil up the threads real good, tighten it back down and give it another try.

[ttyR2]

I had the puller pretty damn tight, certainly way over 50ft/lbs of torque on the bolts. With all the plastic in the column, I wouldn't touch it with a torch.

[rjewkes]

ok, how far off did you back the nut off of the shaft? all the way off and the wheel when it goes will crush you in the mouth or nose just to the end and boom good and tight and finally it goes off.

[flyboy2610]

Whenever possible, such as pulling a steering wheel, I like to leave the nut on in case the puller boogers up the threads a bit. Then when I take the nut off it cleans up the threads.

[trukcrazy]

Hey Rick, did you ever get the wheel off? I have had good luck with stubborn bolts and such by soaking with the aforementioned penetrating oil, then put your puller on with the bolts tight in the wheel. Tighten the puller up as far as you feel comfortable and if the wheel doesn't come off, lightly tap on the pullers center bolt(the same one you are tightening down on to remove the wheel) while slowly tightening it a little more with each tap. And remember to always use the force when doing this and wear safety glasses . When using the proper puller, I have never had a wheel fly off the column and hit me, it just pops off and sits on the end of the column.