Technical Steering wheel removal

[carpeter]

Hi
Need to remove steering wheel on my 500 L 1970 with the wide instrument panel to get access to indicator / light switch. Is it just a splined fit on the steering column? It doesn't look as if it will move without doing damage to the wheel.
Thanks

 

[smart51]

Remove the boss in the centre of the steering wheel. It will expose a nut that holds the wheel on. Remove the nut and the wheel should pull off. The stalks should come off over the end of the steering wheel.

 

[carpeter]

Remove the boss in the centre of the steering wheel. It will expose a nut that holds the wheel on. Remove the nut and the wheel should pull off. The stalks should come off over the end of the steering wheel.

I've removed the nut but the wheel won't just pull off. I tried a 3 legged puller on the the column but it started to damage the wheel boss.

 

[smart51]

I've removed the nut but the wheel won't just pull off. I tried a 3 legged puller on the the column but it started to damage the wheel boss.

Right, OK. Mine is just on a spline. It could just be tight. Try wiggling it, or putting WD40 down the splines. Is there any evidence that it has been forced on at some point?

 

[fiat500]

I've removed the nut but the wheel won't just pull off. I tried a 3 legged puller on the the column but it started to damage the wheel boss.

Try getting someone to pull the wheel upwards by gripping the spokes as close to the hub as they dare, whilst you give a dead blow from underneath using a rubber mallet, alternating sides a few times. Maybe your assistant will prefer to do the hitting, but it's not a wild smash, rather a determined thump. As I sense that you may already have made some gouge marks, it might be worth you putting the puller back in the same place, to put strain on the wheel a little, and then giving it the the dead blow treatment.

 

[carpeter]

Will try with WD40 tomorrow.

 

[124BC1]

Here's the method I use on old Fiats (and it hasn't failed me yet )

Refit the large nut by a few turns, leaving a gap between the nut and the steering wheel boss - this has nothing to do with removing the steering wheel, it's to avoid the possibility of personal injury...

Check that the front wheels are pointing straight ahead before attempting to remove the steering wheel - this is so you can refit the steering wheel in the correct position when finishing the work.
Now, grip the wheel each side at the spokes, push down/in on the left spoke while pulling up/out on the right spoke, then swap over pulling on the left spoke and pushing on the right spoke i.e. you are trying to wiggle or rock the wheel on the splines - it'll should come loose but won't hit you in the face because you refitted the nut loosely. Now remove the nut and the steering wheel.

P.S. -
There are special steering wheel pulling tools available - some use a metal ring that fits behind the wheel boss to spread the load from a puller, another type uses cushioned arms that fit behind the spokes close to the centre boss, some steering wheels might have threaded holes in the centre boss to which a puller can be attached.

And, no, I'm not suggesting you buy a special tool for this once-off use, just pointing out the existence of such tools in case you might be able to borrow one by asking around.

 

[carpeter]

Here's the method I use on old Fiats (and it hasn't failed me yet )

Refit the large nut by a few turns, leaving a gap between the nut and the steering wheel boss - this has nothing to do with removing the steering wheel, it's to avoid the possibility of personal injury...

Check that the front wheels are pointing straight ahead before attempting to remove the steering wheel - this is so you can refit the steering wheel in the correct position when finishing the work.
Now, grip the wheel each side at the spokes, push down/in on the left spoke while pulling up/out on the right spoke, then swap over pulling on the left spoke and pushing on the right spoke i.e. you are trying to wiggle or rock the wheel on the splines - it'll should come loose but won't hit you in the face because you refitted the nut loosely. Now remove the nut and the steering wheel.

P.S. -
There are special steering wheel pulling tools available - some use a metal ring that fits behind the wheel boss to spread the load from a puller, another type uses cushioned arms that fit behind the spokes close to the centre boss, some steering wheels might have threaded holes in the centre boss to which a puller can be attached.

And, no, I'm not suggesting you buy a special tool for this once-off use, just pointing out the existence of such tools in case you might be able to borrow one by asking around.

I gave up on gentle removal methods and just used brute force to get it off. The wheel spokes were cracked anyway and I've mangled the hub so better get a new wheel.