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MG MGB Technical - Steering wheel removal

I have removed the 1 1/16th nut off the steering wheel center column, but can't pull the wheel off my 77 B.

Is there anything else holding it on? Ideas?
Bill

Lots of penertrating oil leave it to work put the nut back on use your knees under the wheel +pull at the same time it will come off? took me 3hours to get mine off.
ian

Bill
Grab the wheel and alternatively pull as hard as you can on the left and right hand sides of it, you have to be quite brutal to get it off, but don't hit it with anything in case you damage the collapsable column.
Ron
R. Algie

Hi Bill.

In case Ian's method doesn't work (try Ian's first), here is the method I use :

Position the nut at the top of the thread to protect the end of the thread and give the nut / end of the shaft a sharp blow with a hammer while pushing the wheel upwards hard with your knees and pulling the top of the wheel hard upwards with your free hand, keeping the pressure as even as possible at the three pulling / pushing points.

Always works in 5 mins for me.

Don
Don

Hi all.

I must have been typing at the same time as Ron !.

I feel that as long as you have a good level upward pressure on the wheel and apply a reasonably gentle blow it won't do any damage. It is certainly worth giving the whole column a thorough inspection after removing the wheel, whatever method you use.
Vigorous wrestling just might work-harden the core of the wheel or damage the bushes ?.

Don
Don

Has anyone tried a gear puller for this application?
Mark

Hi Mark.

I couldn't get one to fit on the late RB wheel or the aftremarket one that I had, it might be ok on other wheels, or with a home made puller.

Don
Don

Bill, if there's an Advance Auto Parts in your area, go by there - they lend out specialty tools, and you could probably try a steering wheel puller at no charge.

John
John English

Bill,

I had one hard time getting my steering wheel off. I tried everything listed above and they just didn't work.

Because I was going to replace the steering wheel I had no choice but to drill two holes in the steering wheel big enough to get what John mentions above into it. This allowed a better grip and by keeping the puller centered it removed easily. To simple after spending hours trying everything.

The 77 mgb steering wheel is robust and very hard to get a puller to hook up. So if you need extreme I went exteme and threw it in the garbage after it was out.

Just a suggestion.

Ray
http://treasure-island-jewelers.com/1977mgbSupercharged.htm
Ray 1977mgb

I used a steering wheel puller. I had to use two smaller bolts then the ones supplied. I used plenty of penetrating oil (PB Blaster) and it came off with a bit of grunt with a wrench. I tried the rocking with knees braced on the wheel bottom and it didn't work for me. When you reinstall your new one use some anti-seize so if you need to change it in the future you won't have so much of a struggle.
John

I guarantee if done correctly the side to side rocking method will work, I got this tip from a professional mechanic about 30 years ago, that was all they ever used at his garage, and it's never failed to work for me.
Ron
R. Algie

I had the same problem. Although the three pressure points and tapping on the column worked previously on the latest car it did not. I went through the archives and saw where someone recommended TIGHTENING the nut to break the seal with the column. I did this and it then popped right off.

Jim
jm McHugh

Leave the nut on a couple of turns as when the wheel does come off you don't end up with a broken nose. Advice gleened through experience
regards
Bob
R Etches

....and don't get carried away when tightening the nut back up again !.

Don
Don

I'm with Ron on this one.

I was also shown the rock the wheel method by a professional MG restorer. He said to flex (but not bend!) the rim by a couple of inches top and bottom then left nad right until you feel it start to move then it'll just slide off. Try it it's VERY satisfying when done correctly. I've since used the same method on minis and a ford.

Phil
Phil

Well Bill did it come off?
ian

I support the side to side rocking approach... just replaced my wheel with a 13" Mountney (too small incidently - biceps like an elephant now!). Pull left and right - quite vigorously and slowly it will come of the splines.

Be patient... you'll think nothing happened but bit by bit it will come! I've tried all sorts of puller configurations and that never seems to work!
Jezzer

"slowly it will come of(f) the splines"

This will be case if it is the splines that are causing the problem i.e. corrosion, but normally it is simply the taper, which will come free suddenly, hence the warning to keep the nut on a couple of turns.
Paul Hunt 2

Bill,
Another iteration: on later cars with collapsible steering column, loosen the nut until its not quite flush with the top of the threads then hold the backside of the wheel with your knees and give it a moderate thwack with a hammer. The shaft will move downward and the wheel will pop loose. Pretty much every time. Without penetrating oil or anything else. And while you're at it, one of the board regulars whose name eludes me at the moment (after 42 hours without sleep...) sells a very nifty and inexpensive bushing kit for the upper end of the column.
mark c

That will be Gerry Masterman http://shadetreemg.com/gem.htm

Rufus
Rufus Pool

This thread was discussed between 10/09/2005 and 17/09/2005

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