Removing steering wheel from 1948 Champion

I need to remove the steering wheel from my 1948 Champion but can't get it off. A steering wheel puller won't fit. I tried penetrating oil and pulling off the wheel while rocking it but it didn't budge. If I have to, I am willing to destroy the steering wheel to get it off. Any suggestions?

[Tom Bredehoft]

Go to Pep Boys, or some other automotive parts store, get a 'dead blow' hammer, rubber head type. loosen the nut retaining the steering wheel, but leave it on the shaft (so the wheel doesn't fly off in your face.) Beat on the spokes from behind (the dash side) alternating among/between them. No guarantees, but keep it up till the wheel either breaks or comes off.

[img=left]http://www.alink.com/personal/tbredehoft/Bothcars.jpg[/img=left]
Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe
'60 Lark VI
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All three Indiana built OD cars

[rockne10]

New steering wheels are available for only $575

Brad Johnson
Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
'33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight, '53 Commander Starlight

[52 Ragtop]

Loosen the steering colum so there is a big gap between the colum and wheel. Bolt on a bearing puller (see shop manual) and pull it off. The early cars do not have the drilled and tapped holes, the bearing puller is drilled and tapped, once on, use a standard steering wheel puller. i also used anti-size on the post, it comes off easily now.

Jim

[dictator27]

Back the steering wheel nut off until it is flush with the end of the shaft, plant you feet on the floorboards, and pull up as hard as you can on the wheel. Get someone else to hit the end of the steering shaft with the dead blow hammer. I've removed a number of wheels this way, using a brass drift and a two pound short handled sledge hammer.


Terry