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Thu Dec 19, 2002 4:59 am

Tried the old "hit it with a block of wood and a hammer" routine, but the wheel won't budge and I fear any harder hitting will cause more cracks. I intend to restore this wheel. So, oh enlightened ones... what's the "easy way" to get the wheel off!
Thanks! Paul 66 Westy

Thu Dec 19, 2002 8:08 am

there are a few methods, but this one works for me:
http://www.23window.com/steering-wheel_removal.asp

Thu Dec 19, 2002 9:30 am

drop off the T/S switch, and remove the 3 screws from the canceller, and drop it down. find one of those press tools that are used to remove bearings from shafts. it,s split, has a tapered hole in the middle, and is joined by 2 long bolts/nuts. assemble it under the wheel hub, and then use a long armed puller on it to pop the wheel loose. most other ways will kill the wheel.

Thu Dec 19, 2002 1:54 pm

i tried all of those above on my 15 window, broke the puller too!the damn thing refused to come off. ended up cutting it off

Thu Dec 19, 2002 2:10 pm

i also tryed all those above and a few others. i ended up just buying one but, i tryed this on my wheel to see if it would work. pull the horn wire out of the way and get your hands on a torch. somthing other than a map gas or any other small torch. get somthing that will give asmall flame but HOT. heat up the center. the metal is really soft and will expand easy.after doing that a few times. use 23windows method. or try heating it up while cranking on it. i worked for me. i tryed to use 23windows method with out heating it up and it didnt work but after givin it a little heat it came right off. if all eles fails way for a good deal on a wheel buy it and then just beat the hell out of it to get it off.
good luck

Thu Dec 19, 2002 9:52 pm

i have gotten quite a few wheels off from junkyards and rusty buses simply by getting the nut loosened, bring it to the top flush with the shaft.squirt some PB blaster or similar penetrating oil then use a ball peen end of a hammer and rest it in the hollow center of the shaft. with your feet propped on something(i prop on the clutch and brake pedals)and your knees under each wing of the wheel putting all pressure you can then smack the ball hammer with another larger hammer. the vibrations of this bring the wheel off very easily. just be careful to keep an eye on the shaft so that you are not mushrooming the top and ruining threads(which is why the nut should stay on up top)i have never had any trouble with this method. good luck

Thu Dec 19, 2002 11:31 pm

First loosen the nut most of the way off. I used to use some Liquid Wrench lubricant on the shaft and then use a small hand-held propane torch for enough time to heat it up, not red hot but very warm. A quick smack on the top of the nut and it frequently would pop right up, loose...

Sat Dec 21, 2002 6:14 am

I soak it with wd 40 for a week and then either use my air hammer on the back and they pop right off or use a old connecting rod on the coloum , then use your puller. Everytime I have tryed to do it with a puller without a old rod I would lose a chunk of the wheel! Works great with the connecting rod!

Mon Dec 23, 2002 6:19 pm

Thanks to all for the input. I managed to get the wheel off by applying heat to the post with a mini propane pencil torch, then tapped with a wood block and hammer till it actually loosened some. Then a few sound whacks and off WOO-HOO!