How to remove steering wheel without destroying it?

w30bob · Post by **w30bob** » Tue Feb 20, 2018 10:44 am

Hi Guys,

Has anyone figure out a way to remove an old original steering wheel without destroying it in the process? I want to pull the wheel on my M38A1, but don't want to tear up the backside with puller jaws crushing the brittle plastic. There are no threaded holes in the wheel for a conventional puller and I know it won't be coming off easily. I think I'm in for a fight whether I destroy it in the process or not...........but I'd rather not, ask I think I can easily repair the current cracks it has.

I'm going to look at some bearing pullers at work today and see if I can figure out a way to mount one on the steering tube. But I'm figuring many of you guys have been down this road already and might be able to share some lessons learned. Any ideas?

thanks,
bob

kenperkins · Post by **kenperkins** » Tue Feb 20, 2018 12:33 pm

some reading;

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... pic&t=5202

Post by **wesk** » Tue Feb 20, 2018 12:49 pm

Ancient problem.

1-soak with penetrant
2-install & tension puller
3-strike puller
4-repeat 1,2,3 again & again.

w30bob · Post by **w30bob** » Tue Feb 20, 2018 12:55 pm

Yup. Sounds like the solution is ancient as well.

Just figured I'd see if anyone built a better mouse trap.

thanks,
bob

GPA · Post by **GPA** » Wed Feb 21, 2018 5:00 am

You can leave the puller on for weeks under high tension and some still won't come off. Possibly the taper is designed wrong.

w30bob · Post by **w30bob** » Wed Feb 21, 2018 11:55 am

Hi Guys,

Yeah, I'm anticipating the wheel giving me a good fight. I looked at some of the "restoration" pics the previous owner gave me when I bought the jeep and the wheel is never off the steering column in any of the pics. My guess is someone tried to get it.......couldn't.....and just let it be. So it may be a bear. I'll let you know how it goes.

regards,
bob

wilfreeman · Post by **wilfreeman** » Thu Feb 22, 2018 8:16 am

Not sounding encouraging - I still have to pull my steering wheel to put the new one on. I played around with it a few months back, but didn't get anywhere with it. Maybe I'll start working with it this week off. The hub/drum puller idea is intriguing since I bought one a few months ago to pull a stubborn drum.

Post by **wesk** » Thu Feb 22, 2018 9:45 am

The typical Axle & Hub puller:

The typical steering wheel puller:

The typical improvised Strg Wheel Puller:

w30bob · Post by **w30bob** » Thu Feb 22, 2018 10:14 am

Ah......understand the concept now. I think I can replicate that with a 3 jaw puller and a horseshoe (not a real horseshoe, one of the thicker ones from the lawn game). Think they're calling for rain this weekend, but if not I'll give her a go.

thanks,
bob

w30bob · Post by **w30bob** » Thu Feb 22, 2018 11:23 am

Hold on there, Bobalouie...........I do have a question. What do you guys use in place of the "Adapter 41-A-18-251" in the pic? I'm guessing it covers the threads on the tube and provides a divot for the puller point to engage. I think using any type of socket would break the socket if the puller needs to exert that much force.

thanks,
bob

Mike_B · Post by **Mike_B** » Thu Feb 22, 2018 12:16 pm

Bob, let me know what you come up with... I'm sure I'll have issues getting mine off as well.

Mike B.

w30bob · Post by **w30bob** » Thu Feb 22, 2018 1:00 pm

Sure will Mike.

later,
bob

wilfreeman · Post by **wilfreeman** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 7:13 am

Been working on mine for a couple of days now. I used 1.5" angle iron welded together in a "U" shape with a bolt through the open end to hold the two sides together. Then I used a 2 jaw puller to pull up on the fixture from under the steering wheel. I installed the steering wheel nut and put a small piece of metal on top of the nut to keep from damaging it with the puller bolt.

I sprayed the splines for a couple of days before I started putting pressure on it. I have also removed the fixture and heated the inside of the shaft a couple of times. Every few hours while working in the shop, I tap on the bottom of the fixture and the puller bolt and crank a few turns on the bolt. So far all I have accomplished is to start bending the edges of the fixture! I'll keep the pressure up on it and see what happens.

w30bob · Post by **w30bob** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 6:22 pm

Hi Matt,

Thanks for the update. Stubborn little bugger, eh? I found a perfect sized split plate bearing puller at work and "borrowed" it. I also found a 1" thick steel high pressure pipe cap (just a circular hunk of forged steel) that I can cut a "U" in the middle of to accomplish exactly what you're doing. Got sidetracked for the last few nights and I'm heading to the RedBall meet this weekend........so maybe I can get to mine early next week. Here's hoping you get yours off first!!

Has anyone tried holding a heavy duty soldering iron steering on the nut that you threaded back on? The irons I use for soldering fuel tanks get stupid hot and heat transfers pretty quickly thru a steel nut and rod. It might expand the shaft and splines and then on cooling break some of the rust in the splines. Not saying anyone should melt their steering wheel in place, just wondering if any has tried temperature cycling?

regards,
bob

wilfreeman · Post by **wilfreeman** » Thu Mar 01, 2018 7:47 am

Yeah, she's not wanting to budge for sure! I want to get it off of there in one piece because it IS repairable, but I don't want to have to spend another $50 to buy another tool I prob won't use again either. I can play around with it a little longer, but I'll prob cut it off in the next couple of weeks (I have a schedule to keep to) if she doesn't give way. Fingers crossed! Good luck with yours also!