Can't get the steering wheel off

I changed my wheel for a full size puma wheel , unfortunately I didn't get it on quite straight and it's annoying me but it won't come off.

I've tried walloping it with a rubber hammer to no avail

There's obviously fittings for a puller in the centre which I don't have , is there a Heath Robinson method of getting it off

I did a search but steering and wheel brings up everything but what I'm after

I've drifted them off with wooden blocks and a good hammer before, just #### the boss and turn as you do

I've been having the same issue with my 1983 110. I don't think it's ever come off.

I've tried pulling, hammering, off roading with the nut noosened… I even lashed through the wheel and put a 3 ton jack onto the central bolt to try and get it off. Nothing.

Next tried an extractor for ball joint type fittings, but that didn't get any results.

I've tried making an 'proper' extractor from some metal and bolts, bolts broke.

If you find a way, please let me know!

I tend to loosen the nut a bit (not all the way, you don't want the wheel flying off and hitting you )and then hit the 3 and 9 o clock positions slightly, that tends to loosen it enough for me to take off.

Presume you've tried soaking some wd40 in etc?

I've tried wd40

I've got some plusgas , I'll give that a go

NiallRussell said:

I've been having the same issue with my 1983 110. I don't think it's ever come off.

I've tried pulling, hammering, off roading with the nut noosened… I even lashed through the wheel and put a 3 ton jack onto the central bolt to try and get it off. Nothing.

Next tried an extractor for ball joint type fittings, but that didn't get any results.

I've tried making an 'proper' extractor from some metal and bolts, bolts broke.

If you find a way, please let me know!

Click to expand...

Niall, I reckon it is cos your steering is on the wrong side of the motor....

seriously if the extractor did not work like that , then I would think someone has "glued" it in place. might need a little heat on it if possible , if you have a spare steering wheel, and a fire extinguisher handy.

cheers

Take the nut off, hold the top and bottom of the steering wheel. Whilst pushing the top away and pulling the bottom towards you give it a wiggle and it should come free. I know it sounds simple but mine won't budge either unless I do that. You say you changed your wheel for a full size puma wheel, what did you have on originally and did you also change the steering shaft?

the_wolf said:

Take the nut off, hold the top and bottom of the steering wheel. Whilst pushing the top away and pulling the bottom towards you give it a wiggle and it should come free. I know it sounds simple but mine won't budge either unless I do that. You say you changed your wheel for a full size puma wheel, what did you have on originally and did you also change the steering shaft?

Click to expand...

I'd leave the nut slightly on, otherwise you may end up with wheel coming towards you very quickly!

the_wolf said:

Take the nut off, hold the top and bottom of the steering wheel. Whilst pushing the top away and pulling the bottom towards you give it a wiggle and it should come free. I know it sounds simple but mine won't budge either unless I do that. You say you changed your wheel for a full size puma wheel, what did you have on originally and did you also change the steering shaft?

Click to expand...

It had a momo & boss on before , that came off fairly easy but this won't budge, I'll give what you suggested a go

It's a 36 splne column

easy to make a puller, just a steel bar with two holes in it for the small bolts and space it from the column with a nut or something

NiallRussell said:

I've been having the same issue with my 1983 110. I don't think it's ever come off.

I've tried pulling, hammering, off roading with the nut noosened… I even lashed through the wheel and put a 3 ton jack onto the central bolt to try and get it off. Nothing.

Next tried an extractor for ball joint type fittings, but that didn't get any results.

I've tried making an 'proper' extractor from some metal and bolts, bolts broke.

If you find a way, please let me know!

Click to expand...

That's not pulling dead square, needs to be pulled evenly with puller on the screw holes in steering wheel centre so there is no flexing. tighten each screw half a turn at a time

gse1986 said:

I'd leave the nut slightly on, otherwise you may end up with wheel coming towards you very quickly!

Click to expand...

Good tip. I punched myself straight in the face pulling a gear knob off once.

I had the same issue. Ended up getting a proper puller, I put it under tension hit it a few times with a hammer and then left it over night - still under tension. In the morning, wallah job done, it had popped off.

neilly said:

Niall, I reckon it is cos your steering is on the wrong side of the motor....

seriously if the extractor did not work like that , then I would think someone has "glued" it in place. might need a little heat on it if possible , if you have a spare steering wheel, and a fire extinguisher handy.

cheers

Click to expand...

I might go for the heat thing - been messing around with the electronics and think I might have fried my old screen wiper motor, would be easy to stab a few volts through the steering column and get cooking. :scratching_chin:

All I want to do is fix the tiniest little crack in the plastic of the indicator that stops it rotating round the column when you use the lever. The smallest repair ever, but getting access to it is the biggest headache. :Cry:

Locky1978 said:

Good tip. I punched myself straight in the face pulling a gear knob off once.

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A Landrover should come with a health warning. I've never done this (yet) but have my share of scars. Usually from struggling to undo a seized nut. Have also set myself alight while welding.

gse1986 said:

I tend to loosen the nut a bit (not all the way, you don't want the wheel flying off and hitting you )and then hit the 3 and 9 o clock positions slightly, that tends to loosen it enough for me to take off.

Presume you've tried soaking some wd40 in etc?

Click to expand...

I learnt this lesson the hard way with a 6lb hammer.....

Ouch!

:mil9:

Dont hit the steering wheel with a hammer!

Get 2 bolts that will fit in the 2 small holes either side of the stud, get a piece of steel plate at least 15mm thick drill 2 holes at correct centres (approx 30mm) make sure nut is still on top of stud so you dont damage thread.

Put bolts through the holes in the plate with 2 nuts at top of the bolts, screw bolts into the holes then start to tighten nuts downwards onto plate.

That will release the steering wheel.

Its called a puller!

It will take you 10 mins in total and much better than smashing your wheel with an 'ammer

the_wolf said:

Take the nut off, hold the top and bottom of the steering wheel. Whilst pushing the top away and pulling the bottom towards you give it a wiggle and it should come free. I know it sounds simple but mine won't budge either unless I do that. You say you changed your wheel for a full size puma wheel, what did you have on originally and did you also change the steering shaft?

Click to expand...

The perfect way to break your nose and knock your front teeth out! Always leave the nut loose on the end of the shaft. You have been warned. When you refit the wheel use a smear of copper grease and dont crank the nut too tight.

Shifty1962 said:

The perfect way to break your nose and knock your front teeth out! Always leave the nut loose on the end of the shaft. You have been warned. When you refit the wheel use a smear of copper grease and don't crank the nut too tight.

Click to expand...

Int there a torque setting for the nut ?