repairing dash wiring MF 471 platform tractor

timwhite · Apr 6, 2020

I have a 2005 471 and the wire to the temperature gauge is broken (I think a pack rat got in and chewed it). It's down by a connector and almost impossible to reach through the door by the fuses. I thought the easiest way to get to it would be to remove the dash, giving me more room to work and better vision. However, I can't figure out how to get the dash off. I managed to remove the four screws at the corners, and removed the handle for the shuttle shift, but I can't get the stupid steering wheel off. I tried my three point puller, but all it does is dig into the plastic around the base of the wheel. And there really doesn't seem to be enough room to swing a big hammer.

Anybody got suggestions? Is there a better way to get to it? I'd really like to fix that wire!

Tim

Roadworthy · Apr 6, 2020

I don't know what holds your steering wheel. With older cars and pickups there was a nut in the center of the wheel which had to be removed. There were (usually) two threaded holes into which bolts were screwed to hold the puller. The center of the puller had a threaded hole into which a third bolt was screwed to press against the shaft which had the nut on it. The steering wheel would then slide off the splined shaft.

timwhite · Apr 6, 2020

I managed to get the nut removed, but there are no holes in the steering wheel hub. It is splined on, but there isn't anything to get my puller on. I managed to hook the arms of the three point puller on the ouside edge of the wheel hub, but it is just some sort of plastic that starts to deform when I apply force. I'm afraid to just beat on it, afraid I'll mess up the wheel, or the shaft.

Tim

dieselscout80 · Apr 7, 2020

timwhite said:
I managed to get the nut removed, but there are no holes in the steering wheel hub. It is splined on, but there isn't anything to get my puller on. I managed to hook the arms of the three point puller on the ouside edge of the wheel hub, but it is just some sort of plastic that starts to deform when I apply force. I'm afraid to just beat on it, afraid I'll mess up the wheel, or the shaft.

Tim

See if you can get a bearing splitter under the steering wheel and then pull on the bearing splitter.

Bearing Separator