Steering Wheel Removal
 

The saga continues...

As some of you may recall, I recently bought a '69 GMC that's in great shape. It's been sitting for a while, so everything needs to be "loosened up". The big issue was the 3 speed column shift, but now its working.

NOW, the issue is the 4-way flasher. While I was working on the column shift I said to myself, "Hmmm, I wonder if the blinkers work." I pushed in the little red button and they worked fine. The problem is that the button wouldn't come out. I pulled on it and the button broke off.

I have spare parts from another truck, but I can't get the #$%& steering wheel off. I tried the puller, I bathed it in WD-40, I tapped on the end of the puller when it was under tension, but nothing worked.

Help!

:gmc:

had the same problem once, I just left the puller on it for a few days, came back and beat on it with a hammer every once in a while and tightened it a little more each time.... next time I came back it had popped off by itself.

Crank down on the puller, leave the socket on the end of the puller so it wont flare the head and bop it solid with a 2lb hammer and hit it good ,no love taps, then try to tighten it some more then bop it again.

Put your feet on the dash and yank:D :D

With my luck I'd end up in the box with a steering column in my lap.

Yeah I was stupid in high school and did it that way. my foot slipped and went straight through my speedometer.

Spray some PB Blaster in there and let it sit overnight. That's what worked for me.

One word: Kroil.

Next, get your puller nice and tap it with a 2lb hammer until it comes off. You're not deforming that center bolt are you? Is that what you're afraid of doing? Use a socket to cover the end of the bolt...just keep working it. It'll come off, but I would NOT recomend yanking it. It's a good way to get a chipped front tooth.

Putting a socket over the bolt is a great idea. Why didn't I think of that? I'm going to use that socket idea, a gallon of WD-40, and put the wheel under tension for a few days.

The WD40 is not a very good pentitrating oil, try the PB Blaster, or the Kroil...2 very good products.
You can always try heating up the hub of the steering wheel...even if you just use a propain torch, it'll help.
I wouldn't pull to hard, I've hit the back window so hard that I honestly thought i was gonna pass out.

Thanks Longhorn Man. I can't believe you are over 22000 - just a while ago the board was a-buzz with the fact that you were reachign 20000!

I agree with Longhorn Man, Kroil is the way to go. And you are also right, it is amazing how many posts Longhorn Man has. Before I was a member, when I visited the board, he had a post on almost every thread that I read! Cool!:cool:

ditto on the Aero Kroil, just used it last nite to help a friend pull a stubborn steering wheel.... I've had a can of this stuff sitting around for a long time and forgot I even had it...

after seeing what people said about it here, I took it over to the guy's place and sprayed it on the hub and let it sit for about 10 minutes... installed the puller, whacked the center bolt a couple times with a 3 lb. hammer and the wheel came off without a fight.

Yup. Had to take the wheel off something for some reason. Dont remember what it was... Wait, no it was my '77 Ambulance, tired of using a craftsman screwdriver to start it, anyway, Busted my self right in the dang forehead... That'll piss you off enuff to wanna screw your nice fenders or doors up. Lol.
Brandon

Don't want to flog a dead horse (or thread as it were) but that #$%^$#@ steering wheel still won't come off. I've had the puller on it for a few days and I've been hitting it with good penetrating oil every day.

I'm a bit leery about using heat on it, even heat from a propane torch. I don't want to melt all the plastic parts behind it.

I'm also concerned about using the big hammer approach - won't it mess with the bearings in the column?

You could always just remove the column, and slide the whole wheel and shaft out of the column. Then you'll be able to replace your turn signal switch. (or upgrade to a tilt)