Steering Wheel Removal.

[cvytrk]

Can anyone offer suggestions on how to remove the steering wheel from a '51 Champ Starlight Coupe without damaging the wheel? I want to restore the wheel to original condition. I have removed the 3-spoke chrome horn ring, the wheel retaining nut and disconnected the horn wire at the steering gear box. I have applied Break Free to the splines for 2 days. I am now ready to remove the wheel but do not have the special wheel puller tool shown in the manual nor do I know anyone that has one. I suspect the (3) 3/16" machine screws that attach the horn ring to the wheel are way to weak to be used with any type of puller. The plastic on the wheel appears to be brittle and I'm sure it will break and seperate from the wheel if mistreated. I appreciate your time and help!!!!!
Charlie in Georgia

[jclary]

Charlie,
First let me welcome you to the forum. Second, if your wheel is the type such as the one I am attempting to post a picture below...there is little to grab on to with a conventional wheel or gear puller. You can buy a couple of cheap items that will do the trick. If you have a Harbor Freight tool store, or Northern tool, you can buy a bearing separator kit (the item shown behind the steering wheel, and a steering wheel puller or gear puller kit that has the item shown on top of the wheel. If the bearing separator does not have the threaded holes, you will need to drill and tap holes for the bolts to mount them as shown. If you don't have the tools, perhaps a local machine "job shop" could do this for you. When you are ready to pull the wheel, make sure to place the steering wheel retaining nut back on and make it flush with the threaded end of the column tube just to protect the threads. Then place a small piece of metal big enough to cover the tube and nut so the big puller bolt has something to push against. As you turn the puller bolt, you can give the head of the bolt a tap with a hammer as you tighten. No need to crank down all at once. Some members have left the wheel under tension overnight and come back and found it broken loose. I have usually had success using the "turn and tap" method myself. Good luck with it. (I am still trying to get used to the new forum. The preview of this post does not show a picture. So I hope it works on the actual post)

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[jclary]

apparently, I don't have the picture thing mastered yet, so send me your private e-mail address and I will send you a picture of how it worked on my truck.

[wolfie]

If its got the threaded holes for a conventional type steering wheel puller check your local Oreilleys. My local one has a suitable puller in their loaner tool program. Steve

[cvytrk]

Steering Wheel Removal

If its got the threaded holes for a conventional type steering wheel puller check your local Oreilleys. My local one has a suitable puller in their loaner tool program. Steve

Hi Steve,
I appreciate your response. My Champ has the Regal Trim Package, so it has a chrome horn ring. The ring is mounted to the wheel with (3) 3/16" machine screws. Those 3 holes are the only holes in the wheel. 3/16" machine screws are about as strong as match sticks so I don't think they would handle a puller. The wheel doesn't have 1/4" or 5/16" bolt holes for a puller like some other brands wheels have.

Thanx,
Charlie

[wolfie]

Hi Steve,
I appreciate your response. My Champ has the Regal Trim Package, so it has a chrome horn ring. The ring is mounted to the wheel with (3) 3/16" machine screws. Those 3 holes are the only holes in the wheel. 3/16" machine screws are about as strong as match sticks so I don't think they would handle a puller. The wheel doesn't have 1/4" or 5/16" bolt holes for a puller like some other brands wheels have.

Thanx,
Charlie

Sorry It didnt help. Mine has the holes to pull by but may also have the wrong wheel on it. It doesnt have the trim ring. Steve

[jclary]

Just so you will know, I am sending you a private e-mail with my "Redneck" puller I have used to pull the steering wheel off my '51 land cruiser. You might want to make an improvement in materials I used for the one you make. It is taking some time to upload due to the size of the picture. Hope it works.

[BRUCESTUDE]

I've fought several of these steering wheels on the 51s -'52s, and the only way to get a stubborn wheel off is a puller that goes BEHIND the wheel hub, as John said. IF you try to use a jaw type puller, it will damage the wheel, as they are somewhat soft and/or brittle. Sometimes you can get lucky by putting some penetrating oil down the splines, and keep working the wheel with a push/pull side to side motion.

[Chipmaker]

The best way I have found ,is to drill and tap the hub,so a standard puller can be used.About 15 min. work and you have it if you need it the next time.+you do not have to sweat messing up the wheel.