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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2923 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:08 pm Post subject: Steering wheel removal - tutorial (1971 bus) |
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I read through the forums and picked up some good ideas in a few threads. I consolidated them here into a short tutorial. I used the "flat washer" puller techniques discussed by BusDaddy. Here is how I did it:
Use a thin tipped screw driver to carefully pry up the horn button:
Unplug the ground wire from the horn button assembly and stuff it in the steering column shaft:
Unscrew the horn button assembly. Careful not to lose the three springs under the screws:
Loosen the 27mm nut with a deep well socket or a use a short extension to get your ratchet above the wheel perimeter. Break the nut loose by using the steering wheel cross-arm as leverage. Do not loosen the wheel by twisting against the steering wheel lock:
Remove the turn signal assembly but leave all wires in place:
Cut a slot in two large washers 3 1/2" OD by 1 5/8 ID. Place washers under the wheel so that the slots do not line up. The top washer should contact the heads of the screws which hold the turn signal cancellation tab which is mounted to the underside of the wheel. One washer would probably do the trick if you align the slot properly and make sure you press against the cancellation screws:
Place your Harbor Freight purchased 8" three arm gear puller on the washers with the center screw aligned over the steering column shaft being careful to not crush the ground wire terminal. Tighten the puller until the wheel pops loose:
Remove the turn signal tab to install on the new wheel:
Install the turn signal tab on the bottom of the new wheel. Place the wheel on the steering shaft making sure that the front wheels are straight and the steering wheel is properly oriented. Install the 27mm nut. Install the horn button assembly. Connect the grounding wire terminal. Install the horn button. Done. Here is my newly restored Koch wheel installed.
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calebmelvin Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2006 Posts: 3140 Location: Seattle, WA
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Rubber Duck Samba Member
Joined: January 18, 2006 Posts: 806 Location: Pitt Meadows BC
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:19 pm Post subject: |
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Excellent writeup!!
I suggest that everyone who has a technique to share do the same and especially name the end of the title "-Tutorial". This was newbies can easily find them on a search.
Maybe we could even have a sticky entitled: DIY Articles or something similar - I know, we have helpful threads- but perhaps something along these lines maybe? Like a repair Wiki? _________________ ---------
Rubber Duck
1974 Westfalia |
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Desertbusman Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2005 Posts: 14655 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:18 am Post subject: |
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Nice!
That should help out a lot of people. And also save a lot of steering wheels. _________________ 71 Superbug
71 Westy |
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RobWeidman Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2008 Posts: 271 Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 6:12 am Post subject: |
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I loved the writeup and could have used it this past weekend. Seems that just enough time passes by between removals that I always forget the proper orientation of the turn signal tab and end up having to pull the wheel a second time.
One minor addition that I thought of was when collecting the three springs, there are also very small internal tooth lock washers sitting in the indents that the springs sit on If you fail to secure these washers they will disappear as soon as the wheel is removed and flipped over. I typically use a magnet of some sort to retrieve the washers and a less powerful magnetized screwdriver tip to reposition them when reassembling.
Great job! _________________ Add life to your years, instead of years to your life. |
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itlives Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2005 Posts: 1424 Location: Shreveport La
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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 6:51 am Post subject: |
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All those cracks in the steering wheel are usually from someone trying to take off the horn button from the silver ring up (ask me how I know!).
This pic is the best one of the bunch as it shows how the black button comes off with out cracking the wheel.
Good job! |
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Agave58 Samba Member
Joined: March 14, 2008 Posts: 1190 Location: Central California
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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:13 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Anchovy!! Your post will save me a lot of hassles when I remove my steering wheel! _________________ 1958 Agave Beetle (0\_!_/0)
Stateside Motors Inc
501 Foote Ave
Jamestown, New York 14701
Stateside Imported Cars/Motors Items Wanted
Sunland Motors
2030 Fremont St Las Vegas, Nevada
Sunland Motors Items Wanted |
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Herbst '71 Samba Member
Joined: April 14, 2004 Posts: 245 Location: Augusta, GA
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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:23 am Post subject: |
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OUTSTANDING! This will save others from destroying the sides of the steering wheel around the horn button. I spent a lot of time trying to pry off the silver ring before discovering the black button is what is supposed to pop off. Live and learn. Now thanks to Anchovy others can search, read, learn and save themselves from breaking things. _________________ Rik
'71 Deluxe/1600 DP
"Fortunately my mistakes are serving as a warning for others." |
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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2923 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:00 am Post subject: |
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itlives wrote: |
All those cracks in the steering wheel are usually from someone trying to take off the horn button from the silver ring up (ask me how I know!).
This pic is the best one of the bunch as it shows how the black button comes off with out cracking the wheel.
Good job! |
Thanks guys, I am glad you think the thread is useful.
Another tip: If the horn button is tight in the assembly, use a loose dull utility knife blade to get it started. The thin edge of the blade should wedge under the button easily. |
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hazetguy Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2001 Posts: 10773 Location: iT StiNgeD iTseLf tO dEAd
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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:11 am Post subject: |
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nice write up. there are two things i would add:
-if you are simply removing the steering wheel to do other things, and will be reinstalling the same wheel, use a marker or paint pen on the shaft and the wheel to mark the orientation of the wheel, so you do not have to guess where it was when you removed it.
-i don't think it is totally necessary to remove the horn button metal contact to remove the steering wheel nut. i guess that would ultimately depend on what socket you are using, but i know i do not remove the metal piece when i remove a steering wheel. this helps keep the metal ring in the same place, and then there will also be less loose parts floating around later--ask me how i know. ever lose one of those springs? _________________ thebucket: I invested in hoodride, now DBD won't return my call?
hazetguy: invested?
thebucket: Yeah Haze, its where people put money into a company in hopes of a return on their money |
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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2923 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:29 am Post subject: |
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hazetguy wrote: |
...there are two things i would add:
-if you....will be reinstalling the same wheel, use a marker or paint pen on the shaft and the wheel to mark the orientation of the wheel, so you do not have to guess where it was when you removed it.
-i don't think it is totally necessary to remove the horn button metal contact to remove the steering wheel nut. ..... |
Good points. In my case I used a NAPA purchased 27mm, 12? point socket and it was too large to fit in the horn button metal contact. I could have ground the edge of the socket to make it fit but that was obviously more work than unscrewing the assembly. |
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Orangeena Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2008 Posts: 133 Location: Berkshire - UK
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 3:55 am Post subject: |
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Anchovy,
This is really useful. As you can see from my picture, my steering wheel has been put on wonky by some PO, so I will be busy following your instructions when I get back from my holidays.
I am an inveterate picture straightener, so having a whonky wheel aggravates the heck out of me.
Cheers
Max _________________ 1973 Bay in L20B
- Originaly a panel van
- Partial Westy Interior
- Viking Spacemaker roof
- Slider of a donor bus
- Doors imported from Australia
- 22nd Owner ! |
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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2923 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:27 am Post subject: |
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Orangeena wrote: |
Anchovy,
This is really useful. As you can see from my picture, my steering wheel has been put on wonky by some PO, so I will be busy following your instructions when I get back from my holidays.
I am an inveterate picture straightener, so having a whonky wheel aggravates the heck out of me.
Cheers
Max |
Hey Max,
I am also a habitual picture straightener. My newly installed wheel is a spline or two off so this weekend I will be setting it straight.
Be sure to check the steering system under the bus. You may have other issues that have your wheel askew. Also, while you are at it you should put the wheel on the correct side of the bus.
Jeff |
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Desertbusman Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2005 Posts: 14655 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:43 am Post subject: |
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Yes, with the wheel off is now the opportunity to put it back on correctly. Get underneath and make sure the steering box is correctly centered. Then put the steering wheel on level. When you then drive it with the wheel level if the bus doesn't go straight forward (it probably won't) get underneath again and correctly adjust the drag link. Since it isn't wise to work on a bus without a Bentley manual be sure you refer to one. You might even need to see if the tie rods are correct. Don't readjust the steering wheel until after you have the steering correct. _________________ 71 Superbug
71 Westy |
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Orangeena Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2008 Posts: 133 Location: Berkshire - UK
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Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 2:15 am Post subject: |
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Anchovy wrote: |
Hey Max,
I am also a habitual picture straightener. My newly installed wheel is a spline or two off so this weekend I will be setting it straight.
Be sure to check the steering system under the bus. You may have other issues that have your wheel askew. Also, while you are at it you should put the wheel on the correct side of the bus.
Jeff |
Jeff,
Nah, then the missus would have to steer while I did the pedals!
Seriously though, what do you think might be wrong underneath that could cause the skewed wheel? I have taken a few pics of the underside.
No laughing at what a british bus looks like underneath. They use salt here in the winter.
Cheers
Max _________________ 1973 Bay in L20B
- Originaly a panel van
- Partial Westy Interior
- Viking Spacemaker roof
- Slider of a donor bus
- Doors imported from Australia
- 22nd Owner ! |
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Blaubus Samba Member
Joined: October 25, 2003 Posts: 5153
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Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 3:46 am Post subject: |
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steering wheels are not the only thing that cracks when removing the horn button- the horn button can chip too. i always use my fingernails to remove- but if its tough, then i get started with woodworking chiesel-a tool with many uses on the bus. |
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superman73 Samba Member
Joined: December 21, 2006 Posts: 2032 Location: Crystal Springs, Mississippi
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stevespeirs Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2008 Posts: 310 Location: Virginia Beach, VA
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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Tremendous! Thanks for taking time out to write-up the tutorial... _________________ 1979 Microbus |
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panicalum Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2008 Posts: 244 Location: Roseville, CA
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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What did you use to cut the washers?
What is the distance between the two cuts? _________________ '63 Bug
gone:
69 Riviera - non walk thru-Turd
1971 Type 3 squareback
1974 Orange Westy -William
1970 Deluxe Sunroof - Tinkerbell
1973 Westy - Didn't stick around long
1976 Sage Green Westy
1959 Single Cab
1982 Vanagon Westy
1974 Thing
1962 Bug
1974 Baja Bug
1973 Blue/White Thing
1978 Sage green Westy (Mom and Dad's) got me hooked |
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dbo550 Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2008 Posts: 365 Location: Kentucky
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 7:29 pm Post subject: |
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_________________ 1985 Westy
2001 Audi Allroad
1999 Volvo v70 xc
1995 Volvo T5-R, Yellow
1998 Jetta GLX |
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