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Help! Need to replace a steering wheel

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by GrantParker, Sep 10, 2013.

  1. GrantParker
    Joined: Jan 24, 2013
    Posts: 24

    GrantParker
    Member
    from Atlanta

    Folks, I have a '54 Chevy p/u with a really ugly after-market steering wheel. I bought an original wheel which was in pretty good shape. Then I removed the after-market wheel. That was easy. But then I came across a plate that someone had ground down to an odd shape. The after-market wheel was screwed in to that. Underneath it, resting on the steering column, is the original collar that fit on the factory steering wheel.
    That plate has to come off, but I am stymied. Does this call for a gear puller? I am ready to get one but wanted to solicit opinions first. Please see the photos.

    Thanks.
     

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  2. hotrodharry2
    Joined: Nov 19, 2008
    Posts: 853

    hotrodharry2
    Member
    from Michigan

    I would try a wheel puller first. Looking as good as I can through old mans eyes, it looks like the very center maybe welded to the steering shaft. So I'd use a puller and watch it for bending the outer plate and not giving around the shaft. You may have to heat the center up with torches but being careful not to cause heat damage to the bearings and whatever else maybe in the area. Good Luck.
     
  3. GrantParker
    Joined: Jan 24, 2013
    Posts: 24

    GrantParker
    Member
    from Atlanta

    Yow. Welded? Why on earth would anyone do that? OK, thanks, HRH2.
     
  4. Holy crap! What a mess that plate is .

    I'd start with a standard steering wheel puller.
    You may need to drill and tap new holes in that plate for the puller to work.
    Look well for a weld around that shaft, if it is welded you can cut it with a hole saw that will just fit over the threaded shaft. The shaft will act as a guide so you can remove the center pilot drill, the hole saw will stay centered and cut the weld
     
  5. Keep
    Joined: May 10, 2008
    Posts: 662

    Keep
    Member

    That is one ugly steering wheel adapter.

    Not sure it was welded, but it does look like there is some solder/brazing there.
     
  6. 5559
    Joined: Oct 25, 2012
    Posts: 362

    5559
    Member
    from tn

    what a hatchet job---makes you wonder how some people survive--use a gear puller slowly--maybe a little heat &it should come apart . If its screwed beyond repair , it would be a good time for a little later model column
     
  7. Looks like somebody cut the center out of a stock wheel, then butchered it into a 'adaptor'. You might be looking for a new column....
     
  8. GrantParker
    Joined: Jan 24, 2013
    Posts: 24

    GrantParker
    Member
    from Atlanta

    I suspect that is the center from a stock wheel, and I am fervently hoping I can get it off. I have priced columns.
     
  9. barobert
    Joined: Apr 14, 2010
    Posts: 105

    barobert
    Member

    That looks realy ugly, look for another steering column, safty comes first.
     
  10. jcmarz
    Joined: Jan 10, 2010
    Posts: 4,631

    jcmarz
    Member
    from Chino, Ca

    That looks welded which it should not be and any amount of pulling will not remove that. I think your best shot is to get a Dremmel or even a hack saw and cut that thing like a pie. The welds can be broken by moving the cut piece back and forth till it breaks. Once the pieces are off, file smooth whatever remains.
     
  11. GrantParker
    Joined: Jan 24, 2013
    Posts: 24

    GrantParker
    Member
    from Atlanta

    I'll take a closer look. I have nothing to lose by applying some heat and pressure to remove the butchered plate. I'd like to kick the a** of whoever did this. Thanks, all.
     
  12. Well, it can't hurt to try a puller on it.

    Harbor Freight makes a wheel puller kit that's pretty slick, I've used mine dozens of times now. Either it will pop off easy, or it won't.

    The next step is to see how ugly it is with it off, and decide if you can put a stock wheel back on there.
     
  13. GrantParker
    Joined: Jan 24, 2013
    Posts: 24

    GrantParker
    Member
    from Atlanta

    I just returned from Harbor Freight with that wheel-puller kit, rustynewyorker. I needed one anyway, and I cannot think of a better way to break it in.
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2013
  14. Don't say "break" and "Harbor Freight" in the same sentence. Good luck getting that off. Hope nothing else on the column got "fixed" at the same time. Keep us posted.
     
  15. B.A.KING
    Joined: Apr 6, 2005
    Posts: 4,039

    B.A.KING
    Member

    ^^^^^ yep I am afraid you will "break" it in alright. I would look for another column. Good luck
     
  16. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 35,107

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Once you get that mess off you are still going to have to deal with the column as it appears that the top bushing/bearing is out or severely damaged too. Looking at that again it may be that what I was looking at was the back side of the hub of the stock steering wheel that got knocked off the hub.

    You might want to chase what threads are left and run a nut on the end of the shaft so the puller doesn't damage it any more than it already is.

    That ranks right up there at the top of the "look what someone screwed up before I got it" list I'd have to say.

    Keep us posted on your progress as Inquiring minds want to know how you come out on this.
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2013
  17. willys1
    Joined: Oct 31, 2012
    Posts: 1,021

    willys1
    Member
    from South Ga

    ^^^Yep. Because they couldn't get the wheel off either. Then mounted the adapter to what's left of the original wheel. :eek:
     
  18. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 35,107

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Or they were too cheap to buy a 20 dollar adapter. I've run into a few "adapted" wheels over the years but never that big of a mess. They usually took the old wheel off and over to the bench and then cut it down rather than cutting it down in the car.
     
  19. dirt t
    Joined: Mar 20, 2007
    Posts: 5,351

    dirt t
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. HAMB Old Farts' Club

    There are two holes 180 degrees apart that are threaded 1/4 " fine thread. a standard steering wheel puller will pull that hub and expose the original set up.
    Good luck.
     
  20. 40Standard
    Joined: Jul 30, 2005
    Posts: 5,970

    40Standard
    Member
    from Indy

    I'd put a new column in
     
  21. GrantParker
    Joined: Jan 24, 2013
    Posts: 24

    GrantParker
    Member
    from Atlanta

    I put a wheel puller on that torn-up plate yesterday. I applied penetrant and pressure. Nothing. I tightened it some more. That plate did not budge. I will work on it some more this weekend, trying some of the tactics you guys suggested.

    If that doesn't work, I know a guy in Colorado who's waiting word from me to drop a steering column in the next Greyhound bound for Atlanta.

    I would like to find the guy who did this and take the old column to him.
     
  22. saltflats
    Joined: Aug 14, 2007
    Posts: 12,979

    saltflats
    Member
    from Missouri

    Would you ask him to bend over?
     
  23. Once you have a strain on the puller bolt, a good strain, whack the puller bolt with a 2 pound hammer. Works for me and seems like it is always necessary.
     
  24. GrantParker
    Joined: Jan 24, 2013
    Posts: 24

    GrantParker
    Member
    from Atlanta

    I would ask him to bend over or close his eyes, saltflats -- maybe both.

    Unclee, I have a 2-pound maul back at the house. I will employ it tonight.
     
  25. On a good day, I can pop them off at a boneyard with just a hammer.
    One hand and one knee to apply pressure to the wheel and one hand for the hammer.

    On a bad day I can't get them off with a puller, a torch, and a sledge.
     
  26. Stubborn steering wheel removal kit
     

    Attached Files:

  27. dirt t
    Joined: Mar 20, 2007
    Posts: 5,351

    dirt t
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. HAMB Old Farts' Club

    Take a 4" cut off wheel and cut in until you reach the shaft use puller or slice both sides and whack it with a BFH.
     
  28. See above kit
     
  29. GrantParker
    Joined: Jan 24, 2013
    Posts: 24

    GrantParker
    Member
    from Atlanta

    I will try cutting the wheel this weekend. My efforts with a wheel puller did not work. BFH is ready.
     

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