Can't get steering wheel off

[Pilot]

Can\'t get steering wheel off

My 180D is real pretty except for the dash. Had a new paint job before I bought it, but they did nothing with the dash, which was cracked and a couple lights had popped loose. Got a buy on a new dash and am trying to pull the steering wheel so I can install it but so far, no go.

I have used liquid wrench & automatic transmission fluid, which I have heard is a good penetrating oil. Have cut a slot in a big, beefy washer to put under the steering wheel so I won't mess up the wheel, then tried pulling it with a gear puller, but it just tips to the side when I tighten it up. Dealer's mechanic says to be careful hammering on the end of the column as it could mess up the threads at the lower end, so I haven't hit it hard.

Any other ideas?

Thanks.

 

[Pilot]

Can\'t get steering wheel off

My 180D is real pretty except for the dash. Had a new paint job before I bought it, but they did nothing with the dash, which was cracked and a couple lights had popped loose. Got a buy on a new dash and am trying to pull the steering wheel so I can install it but so far, no go.

I have used liquid wrench & automatic transmission fluid, which I have heard is a good penetrating oil. Have cut a slot in a big, beefy washer to put under the steering wheel so I won't mess up the wheel, then tried pulling it with a gear puller, but it just tips to the side when I tighten it up. Dealer's mechanic says to be careful hammering on the end of the column as it could mess up the threads at the lower end, so I haven't hit it hard.

Any other ideas?

Thanks.

 

[Eddie]

Re: Can\'t get steering wheel off

I screw the nut down flush with the end of the steering column and while pulling up on the outer part of the steering wheel I hit column with BRASS HAMMER. Notice I said BRASS HAMMER!!!!!

 

[Eddie]

Re: Can\'t get steering wheel off

I screw the nut down flush with the end of the steering column and while pulling up on the outer part of the steering wheel I hit column with BRASS HAMMER. Notice I said BRASS HAMMER!!!!!

 

[waynokakid]

Re: Can\'t get steering wheel off

If your's, is as stubborn as mine was /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Maybe you will have some luck doing as I did. I sat on my seat and placed both arms on underside of steering wheel on both sides. Then pushed up with my knees under my arms. While a friend hit the column with a hammer. And do as eddie says, !!!BRASS HAMMER!!!.
Mine came off after a couple of good whacks.

 

[waynokakid]

Re: Can\'t get steering wheel off

If your's, is as stubborn as mine was /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Maybe you will have some luck doing as I did. I sat on my seat and placed both arms on underside of steering wheel on both sides. Then pushed up with my knees under my arms. While a friend hit the column with a hammer. And do as eddie says, !!!BRASS HAMMER!!!.
Mine came off after a couple of good whacks.

 

[normde2001]

Re: Can\'t get steering wheel off

Why a brass hammer, as long as you are hitting the nut and not the shaft? A thin, flat legged puller from an autoparts store, ($6), should work fine and not mar the wheel.

 

[normde2001]

Re: Can\'t get steering wheel off

Why a brass hammer, as long as you are hitting the nut and not the shaft? A thin, flat legged puller from an autoparts store, ($6), should work fine and not mar the wheel.

 

[Eddie]

Re: Can\'t get steering wheel off

With a regular hammer you will either damage the nut or the shaft. DON'T ASK ME HOW I KNOW.

The problem with using a puller is I think you're pulling against the plastic part of the steering wheel.

 

[Eddie]

Re: Can\'t get steering wheel off

With a regular hammer you will either damage the nut or the shaft. DON'T ASK ME HOW I KNOW.

The problem with using a puller is I think you're pulling against the plastic part of the steering wheel.

 

[oliver28472]

Re: Can\'t get steering wheel off

If the steering wheel has a small threaded hole on each side of the shaft you can use a harmonic balancer puller. That's probably the cheapest puller you can buy that will work. It usually comes with several sizes of bolts, some of which are metric. If not, be patient and take the nut off, shoot some penetrating oil on the shaft and use your tractor as usual. The vibration and p-oil will eventually do the job.

 

[oliver28472]

Re: Can\'t get steering wheel off

If the steering wheel has a small threaded hole on each side of the shaft you can use a harmonic balancer puller. That's probably the cheapest puller you can buy that will work. It usually comes with several sizes of bolts, some of which are metric. If not, be patient and take the nut off, shoot some penetrating oil on the shaft and use your tractor as usual. The vibration and p-oil will eventually do the job.

 

[Egon]

Re: Can\'t get steering wheel off

Repaired the steering gear box on my tractor several years ago. Had the same problem pulling the steering wheel.

Puller didn't work
Took it to local tire shop and they couldn't do it

Took it with me to dealer when I was picking up parts. Service manger looked at it, said "Hmm" took it back into the shop for several minutes and then came back with the steering wheel off. He used the Brass Hammer!

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Egon]

Re: Can\'t get steering wheel off

Repaired the steering gear box on my tractor several years ago. Had the same problem pulling the steering wheel.

Puller didn't work
Took it to local tire shop and they couldn't do it

Took it with me to dealer when I was picking up parts. Service manger looked at it, said "Hmm" took it back into the shop for several minutes and then came back with the steering wheel off. He used the Brass Hammer!

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Eddie]

Re: Can\'t get steering wheel off

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The vibration and p-oil will eventually do the job. )</font>

No amount of penetrating oil and vibration will work. The shaft is tapered. As the steering wheel goes down it wedges, by design, to keep it from coming loose.

I don't think these steering wheels have holes to use harmonic balancer pullers. My YM2020 doesn't. I took it off to replace the dash panel on it.

 

[Eddie]

Re: Can\'t get steering wheel off

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The vibration and p-oil will eventually do the job. )</font>

No amount of penetrating oil and vibration will work. The shaft is tapered. As the steering wheel goes down it wedges, by design, to keep it from coming loose.

I don't think these steering wheels have holes to use harmonic balancer pullers. My YM2020 doesn't. I took it off to replace the dash panel on it.

 

[Pilot]

Re: Can\'t get steering wheel off

Eddie is right, there are no holes to hook a regular steering wheel puller to. All you can work with is the wheel itself or the back of the hub and the end of the column.

Don't have a brass hammer. Could obviously get one.

What do you think about a block of wood on the column, hitting it with my rivet gun (a gloified and more expensive air hammer) while another person pulls on the wheel?

 

[Pilot]

Re: Can\'t get steering wheel off

Eddie is right, there are no holes to hook a regular steering wheel puller to. All you can work with is the wheel itself or the back of the hub and the end of the column.

Don't have a brass hammer. Could obviously get one.

What do you think about a block of wood on the column, hitting it with my rivet gun (a gloified and more expensive air hammer) while another person pulls on the wheel?

 

[Normmm]

Re: Can\'t get steering wheel off

1. buy a new wheel.
2 saw of or use a cutting torch on the old one
3 repair dash
4 install new wheel

 

[Normmm]

Re: Can\'t get steering wheel off

1. buy a new wheel.
2 saw of or use a cutting torch on the old one
3 repair dash
4 install new wheel