pulling steering wheel. 50 gmc

[drivea55]

Hey guys

Can someone share on what the best way to pull an original steering wheel safely?

I don't want to damage it just to orientate it right.

Thanks
Brian

[Russell Ashley]

The only way to pull it is with a steering wheel puller. Less than $10 at most parts stores or Harbour Frt. It always bugs me to hear someone say to loosen the nut and whack it with a BFH. That's a great way to damage your steering box and the top of the shaft.

[OrrieG]

It helps to wet it down with some PB blaster, etc. for a while before trying. It is a fine splined slightly taper fit. If you want to spend 16-20 hours restoring it after cracking it with a hammer go for it, but like Russell said, a puller is cheap and you always need it. Oriellys rents them for free too. Some times you need to tighten up the puller and tap the top of the part that threads to the shaft to break it loose. Tap, 1/4 turn, tap, turn then POP! I don't like to apply heat because it might damage the plastic part of the wheel.

[mr48chev]

Good advice from both Russel and Orrie.

A decent steering wheel puller is one of the better investments you can make but the "loaner" program that Autozone has works real well on things like this.

One thing for sure the loosen the nut and give the shaft a wack with a BFH while pressing up on the wheel with your knees doesn't work worth squat on collapsible columns as you end up collapsing the shaft. It isn't good on the bearings of these old truck steering boxes either.

I've got a wheel on the box hanging in one of the cabs I am using for my stretched cab that I really need to pull off so maybe in the morning I can pull it and take photos and post them on my photobucket album. I see the question often and that would be a reference.

[MARTINSR]

I have to say I have also pulled many wheels without a puller, here's how. My Rambler for instance, it doesn't have a way to pull it as far as I can tell so I have to use this trick.

I loosen up the nut, back it off to just a few threads holding it. I then get over the wheel as best I can and pull alternate sides as I push on the other side. If the wheel is delicate and expensive, yes this is taking a chance. But I honestly have removed many wheels this way without breaking anything. You can pull with all your mite being the nut will hold it from flying off into your face as you pull.

Just a thought, the wheel puller is obviously the best way but like the Rambler there are some it won't work (I have one in my tool box).

Brian

[mr48chev]

Brian you must be a lot stronger than I was at my best in the 70's because I could never pull a wheel off like that even in the junk yard. I've taken a lot of them off by scrunching down in the seat and putting my knees under the wheel and my legs up against the dash and hitting the shaft with a hammer, usually while using a king pin for a drift. I wasn't interested in saving the gear box or bearings in it at those times or saving the steering column. As he wants to save the wheel and just reclock it that probably isn't a good method to use.

[MARTINSR]

I'm with you, probably not the way to go on this wheel. But honestly, done it many times. The trick is not pulling it up like a puller would, you will never get it that way. The trick is the rocking back and forth, kinda like the difference between an air ratchet and a impact, it "hits" popping it loose is how it works, not a constant pressure.

Brian

[drivea55]

Thanks guys
I have used pullers in the past with good results. But when I tried on a 55 I cracked it. So seeing this is a 50. I'm a tad nervous.

I'll be careful and give it a shot

Thanks
Brian

[mr48chev]

The puller uses the two bolt holes beside the shaft. I think they are 5/16 nf but will check when I get home at 7 you don't use one of those claw type pullers that hooks on the outside.

[drivea55]

Ok thanks

Off to grab a puller tomorrow

Brian

[franken]

Yup, you can buy a sort of multifunction puller with a peace sign pattern and an extra leg in the middle that will work for multiple pulling projects.

A dead blow hammer or ballpeen and 2x4 with a bit of pull will pop a wheel as well.

[_Ogre]

i'm guilty of using the knees and hammer to get many steering wheels off, successfully
now i use a puller when available, usually snug up the center bolt and then smack it with a hammer

[mr48chev]

Ogre's puller is almost exactly like mine and those work well.

[drivea55]

Excellent!

Thanks guys