Steering Wheel Removal?

[chance9888]

Does anyone have any good tips for removal of the steering wheel? I tried a steering wheel puller, and that did not work. I know there some sort of two-man technique that MG mechanics used to use. I have tried this on the truck and still couldn't the wheel off. If anyone has overcome this problem, please post your solutions. All help appreciated.

[Doc Dave]

Did you use a military type puller? That is the first step.
Even with that, mine was very tough. I soaked the junction of the shaft and wheel hub with penetrant for a few days as others have written about.
What finally did it for me though was a "shot" with the pneumatic wrench on the puller bolt. I think the jolt from its action turning finally made the wheel come off with a loud pop. Turning the puller bolt with a hand wrench did not help, nor did rapping on it with a hammer in my case.
One of the problems with this job is you can't use heat to any meaningful level to loosen things because of the material the wheel is made of.

[chance9888]

Late follow Up

Ok, i'm back. I had temporarily given up on removing the the wheel. Dave, do you know anyone on the forum I can borrow a military puller from?

[Gordon Maney]

I have to ask. What is a military type puller?

[chance9888]

Hmm... That's a good question. I think i've seen one on DodgePowerWagon.com and just didn't know what I was looking at. I believe it's either one of two things:

1: A very heavy duty steering wheel puller that can go under the three rods on the steering wheel, instead of around the base

2: More of a steering wheel pusher than puller. (this is what i think i saw) instead of pulling it off, it goes on the under sides of the wheel, around the shaft, and pushes the wheel off.

[chance9888]

I have to ask. What is a military type puller?

Ok, shortly after that post, i found one. It was actually on eBay, but the auction was about to end. I took the picture and posted it on tinypic.

Here it is:
http://tinypic.com/r/ek5lk7/3

[Gordon Maney]

Ok, shortly after that post, i found one. It was actually on eBay, but the auction was about to end. I took the picture and posted it on tinypic.

Here it is:
http://tinypic.com/r/ek5lk7/3

Would that break the plastic on the underside of the steering wheel's hub?

[chance9888]

Would that break the plastic on the underside of the steering wheel's hub?

I guess it could if you did it wrong, but the clamp part fits right underneath the metal part of the hub. Also, the main reason you would want to use one of these, anyway, is to get the bad steering wheel off

[Gordon Maney]

I guess it could if you did it wrong, but the clamp part fits right underneath the metal part of the hub. Also, the main reason you would want to use one of these, anyway, is to get the bad steering wheel off

Good. Perhaps that is your answer. As an aside, there are times when it is necessary to remove a good steering wheel to make some other repair.

[chance9888]

Good. Perhaps that is your answer. As an aside, there are times when it is necessary to remove a good steering wheel to make some other repair.

...Touché...

[Bob Thompson]

Chance, Got your Email . I do still have the puller but I'll have to look for it.
I'll send you an email shortly.

[chance9888]

The solution

Ok all, because my wheel was in such bad shape and needed to be replaced, i ended up just cutting the thing off. But for anyone who wants to know, even that is not as easy as it sounds.