How to remove a stuborn Steering Wheel
Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 3:23 pm
If you need to remove your steering wheel you may find that after 40+ years sitting
on that spline it's taken a serious "set". Such was my case. I picked up a very nice
complete steering unit with steering wheel and wanted to replace the ratty wheel
in my 712 -- yikes was that on good.
Finally got that removed today using a little technique that worked well. First I have
a 2 fork gear puller (3 forks would be better). The problem was it just would not stay
centered on the steering shaft. The fix for that was a 5/8" bolt with a centering pilot
to keep the puller true -- 5/8" fits snug in the shaft. I also used a serious washer to
spread the force over the shaft and the M27 nut. I also found that I had to apply a
generous amount of heat at the top beforehand with a propane torch.
And now with puller attached on the spare steering unit (I had already pulled both
steering wheels at this point so this is just for reference).
Also note that there is an aluminum collar just below the steering wheel which should be
loosened and lowered, placing the puller directly on the wheel base and not this collar.
As bad luck would have it the set screw was not movable and was about to strip. So I
pulled from the base of this collar. I used two pieces of square Aluminum to spread the
force to avoid damage. You really want that nut in place to spead force but also to catch
the steering wheel when she goes "pop".
You can also see why I wanted to replace this steering wheel 
on that spline it's taken a serious "set". Such was my case. I picked up a very nice
complete steering unit with steering wheel and wanted to replace the ratty wheel
in my 712 -- yikes was that on good.
Finally got that removed today using a little technique that worked well. First I have
a 2 fork gear puller (3 forks would be better). The problem was it just would not stay
centered on the steering shaft. The fix for that was a 5/8" bolt with a centering pilot
to keep the puller true -- 5/8" fits snug in the shaft. I also used a serious washer to
spread the force over the shaft and the M27 nut. I also found that I had to apply a
generous amount of heat at the top beforehand with a propane torch.
- IMG_1982.jpg (503.8 KiB) Viewed 2489 times
steering wheels at this point so this is just for reference).
Also note that there is an aluminum collar just below the steering wheel which should be
loosened and lowered, placing the puller directly on the wheel base and not this collar.
As bad luck would have it the set screw was not movable and was about to strip. So I
pulled from the base of this collar. I used two pieces of square Aluminum to spread the
force to avoid damage. You really want that nut in place to spead force but also to catch
the steering wheel when she goes "pop".
- IMG_1983.jpg (591.67 KiB) Viewed 2489 times
