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MG MGB Technical - removal of 1977 MGB steering wheel help needed

I need to replace my Turn/Dimmer/Horn switch. The replacement part arrived and according to my Chilton's directions I need to use a wheel puller to remove the steering wheel. Well I don't have or have access to a wheel puller... is there another was or technique for removing the steering wheel?
thanks
Greg
GK Kriss

Greg,

There are lots of detailed information on this in the archives. To make a summary:

The wheel usually is stuck on tightly

Loosen the steering wheel retaining nut, but do not remove it completely. You should have the top of the nut about even with the top of the steering column

Without a wheel puller, use your legs (thighs) under the wheel apply pressure to the back of the steering wheel.. Many people recommend penetrating oil on the splines of the steering column

Several people have had success using the legs and tapping on the nut with a soft faced mallet. Do not wack it real hard because it can collaspe your steering column. But after taking one of the late columns apart, it appears it would take a very strong hit.

IIRC someone described a steering wheel puller they built for the 77-80 steering wheel. I can't remember how it was made.

Cris

Cris DeYoung

Cris

It does take patience, but while pulling with one hand use a hammer on the back of the steering wheel. It does take a good sharp whack to free it. Good luck. I just had to do this two months ago.

David
David Cousins

Check to see if one of your local chain auto parts stores has a tool loan program. I bought a steering wheel puller years ago, I remember spending about $5- on it.
Kimberly

Recently i had to remove my old wheel, i remove the nut and spray the shaft with the removing oil wait a while, them use hair drier heat up around the boss, shake and pull..then out...
if no luck, let it cool down and try again later on..
Alfredo
alfredo

....and lightly copper grease the splines on replacement.It really will help if there's a next time.
Peter Jones

Hi Greg
Loosen the nut a few turns, but don't take it off or the wheel hits you in the face.
Grab the LHS of the wheel and pull hard, then grab the RHS of the wheel and pull hard, continue alternatly pulling hard on each side and the wheel will come off no problem.
I was shown this by an old mechanic about 30 years ago and it's never let me down.
Ron
R. Algie

The method that Cris De Young is the method that I use frequently. Except, I put strong pressure pulling the wheel towards me with my thighs. Then I take two hammers. Usually two ballpeen hammers. One placed squarely on the flat of the nut being even with the shaft so as not to damage any threads. The second I use to rap sharply and squarely on the head of the other. It will pop loose and your legs will absorb the energy instead of the sheer pins. This method on the later MG's, now the early ones the steering wheel is a little more delicate and requires a little more finesse.

Mark
Mwhitt

Sometimes these wheels are VERY tight. Do NOT put the legs of a puller on the back of the wheel. The inner is only thin gauge steel & will buckle - I have seen this done 4 times by others. I take the nut off completely as hitting on it if not just below the end of the shaft can strip the thread. I use a piece of soft aluminium bar about 1" dia, have my knees under the wheel a strike with sharp blows. The wheel will sometimes come off if hit from the underside with a 5/16 punch & 1 1/2 lb hammer but his is awkward to do.
Garth
Garth Bagnall

Mwhitt,

Be very careful hitting one hammer with another. Hammers are very hard steel and shatter easily. My wife actually knows of someone who lost an eye to a steel fragment that went flying when the person used one hammer to whack another.

Safety glasses are a must!

BH Davis
BH Davis

R. Algie, Ayrshire UK wrote: "Grab the LHS of the wheel and pull hard, then grab the RHS of the wheel and pull hard, continue alternatly pulling hard on each side and the wheel will come off no problem."

tried this method and the steering wheel came off in under 20 seconds

thanks ever so much, this bulletin board is the best

Greg
Kriss

This thread was discussed between 09/06/2006 and 12/06/2006

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