Steering wheel removal

[outcruisen]

Guys.. I am trying to remove the steering wheel and need to know if there is some trick to it?

I am using a steering wheel puller, have removed the chrome horn ring and centre bolt, used WD40 (Rust release) and this thing still wont budge..

Anyone have any ideas, or is there something else I should be removing before trying to pull it? (Does the pressed steel peice that the horn ring fits into come out of the centre of the wheel first, or is it formed into the wheel and comes out with it?).

Any help would be much appreciated..

Cheers

[4banger]

Put pressure on it with the puller and than tap it slightly.  The tap should release it. They mostly come out with no problems. I hope your talking about a 57 wheel.

[outcruisen]

Sure am.. I will try it tomorrow..

Cheers

[hotrodbob]

We are having the same problem. WD-40, liquid wrench and various other liquids as well as a puller and tapping with no results. Input requested.

[outcruisen]

I have ended up putting so much pressure and hit the wheel and puller so I hard I have broken 1 of the puller bolts in the steering wheel.. This thing will not budge.

I had a mate over and he hit it harder than me and this thing will still not pop!!!

Needs to be removed, anyone have any other ideas please..

Cheers

[4banger]

I haven't looked yet, but something tells me there might be a snap ring to remove.

[shopratwoody]

Is the nut still on? Maybe put a little heat on it.

[KidKourier]

     Checked out the 1957 Ford shop manuel for steps on steering wheel removel,it states --remove the nut and lock plate from end of the steering shaft,then remove the steering wheel from shaft with steering wheel puller(doesn't mention a snap ring) but on re-install it states that you install steering wheel on splined shaft,then install locking plate--install s/w nut(torque to 50-60 ft/lbs),"then" bend up the "tabs" on locking plate to prevent loosening <<<<< could these be holding the wheel from coming off after removing the big nut? KID

[Partsman]

I worked for Ford dealers for 30 some years.  We usually would grab wheel on right and left side at about 3 o clook and 9 o clook and rock wheel back and forth and side to side.  This would usually break it loos and would come off.  Sometimes it would take a little time but it would work.  I have seen many steering shafts ruined by applying to much pressure with a puller and also broken bolts.  Heat usually melt part of the whell and it still will not budge.
Good luck

[outcruisen]

I have got the bolt out now.. But it is doing my head in.. A mate recons he has a sure fire way of removing the wheel.

I want to reuse the wheel cos it is in great shape, so if worst comes to worst, I will pull the steering shaft from the box, use a press to remove the wheel, then put it all back together again once painted..

I will have another look at the plate that sits under the nut and see if this is the locking plate they are talking about and see if the wheel will come off if this is removed..

Thanks for all your help guys. It is very much appreciated.

Cheers

Mark

[texasmark1]

watching this saga w/much interest, as I plan on removing mine in the near future to fix some cracks and repaint... so please finish the story... hopefullly with a happy ending!

thanks,Mark

[outcruisen]

Texas, I have gone through 2 balancer pullers,1 steering wheel puller, had to retap the 5/16 holes in the actual steering wheel once, stripped threads on bolts, used a whole can of WD 40 and have welded up a plate to sit over the thread of the steering column so the horn button stays in tact..

Still with no joy.. NOT HAPPY BROTHER..

I have a mates brother coming from Queensland to Melbourne (a trip of about 1200 miles) for a car show we have her called the Bright (name of the town) rod run this weekend.. He was the guy who found the 57 for me and recons he will have it off in 2 minutes cos he knows the "trick"!!! I have to kiss a part of his brothers anotomy where the sun dont shine if he gets it of!!!! You know what... It will be worth it LMAO..

Keep posting and I promise I will post a picture of the happiest man on the planet if he pulls it.. (It would rate with the birth of my 2 children if it comes off in 1 peice).. Dont tell my wife that..

Does anyone have a wheel for a 57 Fairlane 500 for sale just in case?

Will see how we go.

Cheers

All

[JimNolan]

Outcruizen,
   What that guys going to do is remove your horn wire, thread the nut back on the shaft until it's almost flush with the top of the shaft, wrap his arm around the back side of the steering wheel and exert as much pressure on it as he can like he's trying to pull it off and then he's going to hit the nut with a BFH ( the bigger the better) as square as he can and as hard as he can. The wheel is going to pop forward. He'll remove the nut and pull the wheel off. Then you'll have to KHA. Good luck, try that before he gets there. But, make sure you take the time to line up the hammer so it hits the nut square. Jim

[outcruisen]

Jim,

Gonna give your method a try tomorrow cos I have seen his Butt and man it is hairy!!!!!!

Let you know how it goes.

Cheers

Mark

[JimNolan]

Mark,
   Please be careful hitting the nut and steering shaft with the hammer. run the nut down on the shaft until it's even with the top of the shaft. Use a flat piece of metal to make sure you're flush. That'll still give enough room for the wheel to " POP " out of its position when you hit it with the hammer. And, use a large flat hammer when you hit it ( not a ball peened ). The idea is to hit it once very hard and very flat. If you don't hit it hard enough you'll have to hit it more times and have more chances of screwing up the threads by not having the hammer flush with the surface your hitting.
  I don't want to see you booger up the threads of the shaft but I've been in that position before and ended up having to do the hammer thing. I hate people knowing that I fix things with BMFH's. Jim