I have a ralley wheel on a 71. Key is stuck in ignition. Need to get the hub off. I borrowed a steering wheel puller from a friend who said it will ease right off with the puller, easy peasy. Well not so fast, I determined which puller bolts were the correct thread and tested them. They were the smallest of the 3 sets. Then I got everything set up and square and proceeded to turn the center bolt to remove the steering hub. Nothing, removed everything and tried again,and one of the bolts had started to strip the threads and pulled out, this time I screw them ( 2 side bolts) down as far as it would go and the same thing, so I stopped and didn't want to screw up or break something. And he told me it would slide right off. I guess the compression of 36 years says otherwise. There is a gap where the hub meet the steering column and I do not think I increased the gap at all. If I ever get it off, I will have to re thread one of the holes and grease this shaft in case someone else ever has to take this beast off. I have learn over the years, that things that seem so simple take 5 times the effort and time to accomplish. Looking for ideas and suggestions. Frustrated
Well I guess I will talk to myself... I have saturated it with a penetrating oil, ( actually placed small plastic tube over threaded rod and spray oil and held tight so it might penetrate, turn hub to left and right and did same to try to get it in there. The top is the only place I can't do this because the wheel will turn that far. Had my company welding shop make a 3/8 inch thick plate with the 6 holes ( where the 6 holes that mount steering wheel to match up) Also has the 2 bolts, so that I can attached the puller to. Used adjustable wrench to hold puller while I turned the 1/2 bolt to crank down on it and it didn't budge at all. This bastard is on tight. I think someone forgot to put the anti seize on at the factory 37 years ago. I also used a heating gun on it and tried to no avail. And yes , I have tapped/ hammered but nothing. Going to let someone who does this for a living take a look at it, because I think that it might have to be cut off.Wonder if dry ice on the bolt would shrink the metal as to loosen the bond. i'm lost FRUSTRATED IN NC
I bet that you have a bi metal interface corroision problem. Look at it this way if you have to cut it off it is replaceable. Repos are excellent quality. On the other hand I would try to heat it with a mapp tank and have the puller on it stressed so that when it starts to give you can pull it quickly. Watch the heat so you don't over heat. But like I said you can replace it if you have to.
Thanks Terry, I going to let someone else take a look at it and if it is bonded/corroded like you described we will proceed with caution in cutting it off. I think the penetrating oil is getting to part of the surface area, but not sure if the top half is getting it. The reason is that some has dripped where the tilt section meets the lower column ( so it has run thru). But I have no way of knowing what portion of the spine is getting the oil. Currently have tension on it with the puller. Have great weekend.
Since it is a rally wheel,you can firmly grab the wheel at the 9 oclock and 3 oclock position and push one side while pulling on the other.Rock it back and forth like you are trying to pull the wheel off the column. Don't do it so hard that you bend the wheel,which is hard to do. Then put the wheel puller back on and try to remove again. I have pulled wheels off at the junkyards this way without a puller and it doesn't hurt them unless they are 40 year old plastic steering wheels,like a stock wheel or a wood wheel.the plastic can crack bad.
If you do end up trying to heat it off remember to heat the wheel not the shaft. You want the wheel to expand with the heat. :TU:
It came off,..wohoo!!.... I left pressure on it last night and it came off with another turn on the puller. No rust on the spine just needed a little more effort. I am relieved, now I can get to the meat of the matter and find out it the rack is indeed broken or the ignition switch is bad. All it took is a little patience and time. Thanks for the suggestions and encouragement. Steve NC
