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anniewyo
Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2024
Posts: 29
Location: Sheridan, WY
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 Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2025 7:12 am Post subject: Steering Wheel Nut is stuck -- breaker bar? |
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| Working on getting the nut off my 1956 steering wheel to restore it and get it reinstalled correctly as it is off a couple spines from center. We had it off in 1986... I have used liquid wrench on it for 36 hours. I keep tapping it with a hammer and using a socket. IS IT SAFE to try a large breaker bar now? I don't want to break the whole shaft. Typically does it take 2 people -- one to hold the wheel and the other to wrench on it? Also, for SURE is it counter-clockwise to loosen? THANKS -- Ann |
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VW_Jimbo 
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 11255
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2025 7:19 am Post subject: Re: STEERING WHEEL NUT is stuck -- breaker bar? |
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That should work or get an impact wrench. Counter clockwise to remove it.
_________________
Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
| TDCTDI wrote: |
| Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!  |
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anniewyo
Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2024
Posts: 29
Location: Sheridan, WY
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2025 8:18 am Post subject: Re: STEERING WHEEL NUT is stuck -- breaker bar? |
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| I can certainly invest in an impact wrench. Do I risk snapping off the steering shaft? |
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VW_Jimbo
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 11255
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2025 8:35 am Post subject: Re: STEERING WHEEL NUT is stuck -- breaker bar? |
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| anniewyo wrote: |
| I can certainly invest in an impact wrench. Do I risk snapping off the steering shaft? |
Nope! That would be a first, if you managed that.
You should try a breaker bar first. Be sure the socket sits squarely over the nut and remains static. Get a board and slide it in between the wheel center, so you have a better grip on the wheel. Maybe get another pair of hands to hold that. Then start turning the nut! If it still is not moving, you can get a hammer and give the nut a few decent hits. Just don’t miss! I would use a short steel rod set on top of the nut, then hit that. Heck a punch would work, if you could get a clear side to hit it. Not wild hard hits. Just controlled solid whacks. Once that have a “this” sound to them.
If you have an air hammer, that would even be better! A few trigger pulls and that nut would be loose!
Could you rent an impact wrench or borrow one?
_________________
Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
| TDCTDI wrote: |
| Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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Dan22
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2019
Posts: 665
Location: Battle Ground, WA
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2025 1:54 pm Post subject: Re: STEERING WHEEL NUT is stuck -- breaker bar? |
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Impact wrench will not bend the steering wheel if that is all you have to grab when using a big breaker bar. It would be a shame to damage the vintage steering wheel.
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1-0900722 die langsame grüne Schildkröte
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=765074 |
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anniewyo
Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2024
Posts: 29
Location: Sheridan, WY
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2025 2:16 pm Post subject: Re: STEERING WHEEL NUT is stuck -- breaker bar? |
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| Got it off with a 1/2" electric impact wrench and a 30 mm socket and one quick press of the trigger! Instant! THANKS EVERYONE! |
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Dan22
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2019
Posts: 665
Location: Battle Ground, WA
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kintail
Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2003
Posts: 780
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2025 8:13 pm Post subject: Re: Steering Wheel Nut is stuck -- breaker bar? |
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Late to the party!!! Impact wrench will take it off in a split second. I did not have one for years although I had the compressor for at least two decades. Obviously I am a very slow learner.....
Can also be used in many other applications, such as whipping thru rusty pan bolts, fender bolts, etc. ....see page 7, 1954 Beetle / VW Canada Production Plate !!!
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Scott
August 1954 Beetle Canadian Deluxe |
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