I need some help from you early Ford V8 guys. I need to know how to get the steering wheel off a 1939 Ford DeLux. I don't have any idea!!!!
Ford used a special tool that looked like a big C clamp with a end that fit the underside of the wheel, I use a Harbour Freight bearing seperator and a rag for cushion and pull it off with a two jaw puller. Get the big seperator.
Unhook the wiring at the bottom of the box in the tin housing. Then see if there is a quarter turn doohickey to release the hold on the thin tube that runs all the way from the top button to the wiring housing. After that is loose you should be able to pull the switch straight out of the wheel. Some bodies won't allow it to come all the way out when in the car. Might need to take column loose and tilt it down. Then, when switch is removed, take your special KW puller and slip it around the wheel. No special puller in your toolbox? It is like an overgrown C clamp that straddles the base of the wheel, then pushes on the shaft. I made one when I needed to remove an old Ford wheel with no tapped holes for a modern day puller.
I could be wrong but I thought that by 1939 the steering wheel had two tapped holes that would permit the use of a standard auto parts store puller? The KRW puller was needed for the earlier steering wheels, such as on my AVATAR. Some auto parts stores have them to loan. This would be an excellent post for fordbarn.com. Charlie Stephens
Ford added the puller holes in 1940. This very frequently works and if you are careful you can try it in 10 minutes without risking aesthetic damage: Drill suitable holes using drill stop so you don't go through to daylight...if you do screw up, obviously repair is easy. The metal is fairly thin, so try to find smallest hole you can start a 5/16 tap in...idea is to thread deep in the steel bit AND the plastic just for a little extra. Use a modern puller, BUT drop a bolt into the horn/light hole AND run stock nut up to top so you do not crush any threads. Be careful to save woodruff key, as it is special Ford and not a hardware item. There is excellent likelihood it will pop and not just rip out your threads.
Old pal Johnny Dugan used to loosen nut about 60% up to the end, then plant both feet firmly on the floor board, between the pedals. Grasp the wheel even with the spokes, and pull hard...slightly reciprocating right to left, then...POP! Never saw a wheel he couldn't 'pull'...that includes my three '46 Fords, '48 Merc, and some later splined versions. Couple of years ago, I didn't have a puller for my F100, (loaned to a flake!) So, I 'assumed the position'. My wife asked as I got my 'stance': "You don't seriously believe that wheel will come off, do you?" POP! She was surprised...so was I...
I had a beautiful 40 standard wheel. Someone had pulled it off and broke most of the covering off the spokes from bending them. The rim and hub were still perfect. I don't think trying to pull a 39 wheel off is a good idea unless you have hand for each of the three spokes.
I drilled holes in my 38 standard wheel still attached to the column, tapped them and used a regular puller to get it off...
Bruce, Thanks for the cut off date on the holes. If he is very lucky someone may have drilled and tapped them in his '39. Charlie Stephens
I believe the 39s "horn button" is the headlight switch. It has a tube that goes all the way down to the steering box. You have to disconnect the tube at the bottom of the steering box to allow you to remove the horn/light switch. Then slide the horn/light switch and tube out, this will allow you to remove the steering wheel with a puller.
I have a Snap-On puller I acquired from the salvage yard I worked for. It's based on the C-Clamp and has different sizes for the makes.
The 40 Ford style wheel we used on our roadster has those two threaded holes on either side of the center hole. Found the wheel, column, and part of the box under a tree in the country. Guess it lived out there in the rain for quite some time. Horn button missing and the center nut was rusted/crusted into a mass. Drug it home, stood it on end with center section facing up and soaked it for about a week or more. Once it was cleaned out ya could see the nut and the two "puller" holes. We chased the holes and our cheap puller popped the wheel loose.
Here is the horn/ light switch tube I was talking about. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Ok. I think I have the idea to get the horn and switch out. Pulling the wheel is another thing. I have all kinds of different pulling tools. Should not be to hard to figure out. Thank you guys for all your input. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
I found this video and made one of these tools to help with classic car steering wheel removals. Works well, may help you or someone else out.
Sound too crude - but I took off the nut - had my son pull upward - then I gently tapped the aluminum hub where the spokes are mounted with a rubber hammer - the original 1939 banjo steering wheel slid off the key-way - no damage or problem. I was lucky.
OK. Got the steering wheel off with a little pressure. NOW. for you Ford V8 guys. How can I come up with the original color of this steering wheel? Here is a pic. of the color on this wheel.
I have one of the OEM pullers I purchased at an auction never used for 25.00 . 20 mechaniccs picked it up and looked at it , layed it back down asking " what the hell is that used for ?" Stout azz clamp and 3 different arbors for different sized wheels . I just used it to remove a Double B wheel . Mechanic working on the truck was in amazement ! He said he had been a week off and on trying to determine how in Gods creation will the wheel come off with out destroying it. Puller worked as well a pig in poop !
Have you checked in the restoration guidelines from the Early Ford V8 club, there might be a color picture in there: https://www.earlyfordv8.org/Shop.cfm?id=9&pid=2 Charlie Stephens
Any one supply a picture of the special puller for the steering wheel? I know I will be pulling my 38 Deluxe column apart someday, maybe even soon.
As I posted in your other thread, see this thread on the Ford Barn. https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=229511
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