removing rusty steering wheel ?

pierce · Sep 23, 2013

so I managed to get the nut and washers off my '48 8N's steering wheel, but couldn't get the wheel to budge no matter how much Kroil I dribbled on it. do I need some sort of puller to get that off?

I ended up 'bagging it' so I could paint my dash without getting paint on the steering wheel.

Cooter143 · Sep 23, 2013

I just kept hitting mine from underneath with a rubber mallet and it eventually came free. Bruce(Va) has posted his technique a couple of times on here. You could probably find it in the archives if you searched for steering wheel.

Bruce (VA) · Sep 23, 2013

Check out tip # 73 at the link below.

75 Tips

Bruce (VA) · Sep 23, 2013

That question comes up so often that I added the answer to the 50 Tips when I expanded them to 75.
75 Tips

pierce · Sep 23, 2013

(quoted from post at 15:27:12 09/23/13) That question comes up so often that I added the answer to the 50 Tips when I expanded them to 75.
75 Tips

and geez, I thought I scanned that list before posting, hah! shoudla used 'find' "steering" in my browser, I guess.

FWIW, my wheel has plastic spokes that are like ridged on top... I dunno if theres metal in them or not. wondering if that has any impact on the methods...

JCinKY · Sep 23, 2013

(quoted from post at 14:36:22 09/23/13)
and geez, I thought I scanned that list before posting, hah! shoudla used 'find' "steering" in my browser, I guess.

FWIW, my wheel has plastic spokes that are like ridged on top... I dunno if theres metal in them or not. wondering if that has any impact on the methods...

All the ones I've seen were metal coated in vinyl, plastic or the like. That is those that haven't already rotted off.

Enough penetrant, pulling, cussing, light banging and proper application of the hot wrench and it'll pop right off. You'll be standing there dumbfounded saying "huh".

Put anti-seize on the shaft when you put it back on. It'll help next time. And don't honk down on that nut either.

Royse · Sep 23, 2013

Here is a method I have used several times.
I agree with Bruce that it is not the best way.
This picture actually is missing the thick washer I set over the
acorn nut when I do this. It fell out when the wheel came loose.
I took it just to show how I hooked up the hanger straps.
Still, I have ruined the acorn nut every time I've done it this way.
I also could have ruined the threads or mushroomed the shaft.
A long steel bar down the center of the shaft would make
this far less likely to damage the steering column/threads.
But at least you wouldn't have to have a special puller.
If your Bakelite coating is all in place you would have to space
the hanger straps out wider to fit around the spokes.
Even then it would probably break the coating off.
As far as I know, they are all metal inside.

pierce · Sep 23, 2013

FWIW, mine just has a regular nut on the top, not a acorn nut.

anyways, for now I'm just leaving it on, having gotten my dash painted by putting a tall kitchen trash bag over the wheel and securing it to the shaft. the bag was a near perfect fit. I used the drawstrings to snug it up to the shaft, then counterwound them around it a few times and tied it off, and voila, didn't even need masking tape. pulled all the extra bag to the top and rolled it up in the center, and it was perfect for the purpose.

greywolf224 · Sep 24, 2013

(quoted from post at 18:19:52 09/23/13) Here is a method I have used several times.
I agree with Bruce that it is not the best way.
This picture actually is missing the thick washer I set over the
acorn nut when I do this. It fell out when the wheel came loose.
I took it just to show how I hooked up the hanger straps.
Still, I have ruined the acorn nut every time I've done it this way.
I also could have ruined the threads or mushroomed the shaft.
A long steel bar down the center of the shaft would make
this far less likely to damage the steering column/threads.
But at least you wouldn't have to have a special puller.
If your Bakelite coating is all in place you would have to space
the hanger straps out wider to fit around the spokes.
Even then it would probably break the coating off.
As far as I know, they are all metal inside.

Royce Holy cow, I did this same thing with mine. I thought I was the first. The hooks just kept slipping off. I tightened her up and warmed up the base with a torch and she popped off and landed in my lap.

greywolf224 · Sep 24, 2013

(quoted from post at 18:19:52 09/23/13) Here is a method I have used several times.
I agree with Bruce that it is not the best way.
This picture actually is missing the thick washer I set over the
acorn nut when I do this. It fell out when the wheel came loose.
I took it just to show how I hooked up the hanger straps.
Still, I have ruined the acorn nut every time I've done it this way.
I also could have ruined the threads or mushroomed the shaft.
A long steel bar down the center of the shaft would make
this far less likely to damage the steering column/threads.
But at least you wouldn't have to have a special puller.
If your Bakelite coating is all in place you would have to space
the hanger straps out wider to fit around the spokes.
Even then it would probably break the coating off.
As far as I know, they are all metal inside.

Royce Holy cow, I did this same thing with mine. I thought I was the first. The hooks just kept slipping off. I tightened her up and warmed up the base with a torch and she popped off and landed in my lap.

souNdguy · Sep 24, 2013

ahh.. neverseize.

the friend to the guy who 'has to do it the next time'

especially since that may be you!

removing rusty steering wheel ?

pierce

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Cooter143

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Bruce (VA)

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Bruce (VA)

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pierce

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JCinKY

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Royse

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pierce

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greywolf224

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greywolf224

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souNdguy

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