Steering wheel 1985 90... seems to be welded on!

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.

cappers

Well-Known Member
Posts
2,141
Location
my head
Want to take the steering wheel off to get good access to the dash innards.

Have tried all the usual (and read loads of web discussions here and elsewhere) e.g. rocking the wheel to and fro at 9 & 3 o/c, tapping with a rubber mallet, knee leverage behind and whacking the top of the stem with nut on, WD40, release spray, even borrowed a proper puller but it won't shift. With the puller the centre bolt started binding and the side bolts were looking stressed before I stopped.

Any ideas? Would an impact driver against the stub shake it loose? Heat? Cold shock? When the conversion was done I asked about removing it and they couldn't even with much tugging, banging and swearing.

Cheers.
 
Was it a proper heavy-duty puller specific to a Landy?
Not my photo but this one.....
s-l1600.jpg

Is it a landy wheel?
Have they butchered a later wheel on?
(get some box section & threaded rod & make your own puller)
No, it's an early 4 spoke wheel as in the picture.

I know from experience that they can be stubborn but this one won't budge.

Re impact driver, any thoughts?
Blowtorch, trying not to melt the plastic? Pipe freezing spay?
I sprayed loads of release agent down the threads and as much as possible into the hub front and from behind and will try again tomorrow.
 
Not my photo but this one.....
View attachment 237595

No, it's an early 4 spoke wheel as in the picture.

I know from experience that they can be stubborn but this one won't budge.

Re impact driver, any thoughts?
Blowtorch, trying not to melt the plastic? Pipe freezing spay?
I sprayed loads of release agent down the threads and as much as possible into the hub front and from behind and will try again tomorrow.
Looks like a strong one. I seem to recall enlarging the two threaded holes on the steering wheel so I could use larger bolts. Few years ago since I did mine, it was a proper bugger to come off at first, now it’s no trouble at all.
 
Id put the steering nut back on flush with the threads & smash it with a lump hammer a few times
to shock it then put the puller back on then smash the bolt. Ive done loads over the years not one
has beaten me yet. Just watch if you've got the puller on an your pulling the wheel left to right sitting
on the seat as you may get a sore face if it comes off.
 
It is off! :D

Left it overnight with lots of release oil over it. Today I gave the stub a few whacks with a lump hammer, a bit more jiggling of the wheel then put the puller back on. I put copper slip on the threads as well. Wound it up as much as I could then gave the bolt a few thwacks. Swapped the socket for a plain spanner as I was worried I'd bust the socket (it's a cheapo set ) wound it some more to hear a groan then a chink o_O The puller bolt then turned freely and I thought I'd stripped the threads but as I undid the securing bolts the wheel came away :cool: I'd expected the shaft and threads to be rusted or corroded but they were shiny, clean and intact.

All cleaned up, copper slipped and put back for when I do the dash work; hopefully it should come off easily now :rolleyes:

Many thanks for all the advice and encouragement ;)
 
It is off! :D

Left it overnight with lots of release oil over it. Today I gave the stub a few whacks with a lump hammer, a bit more jiggling of the wheel then put the puller back on. I put copper slip on the threads as well. Wound it up as much as I could then gave the bolt a few thwacks. Swapped the socket for a plain spanner as I was worried I'd bust the socket (it's a cheapo set ) wound it some more to hear a groan then a chink o_O The puller bolt then turned freely and I thought I'd stripped the threads but as I undid the securing bolts the wheel came away :cool: I'd expected the shaft and threads to be rusted or corroded but they were shiny, clean and intact.

All cleaned up, copper slipped and put back for when I do the dash work; hopefully it should come off easily now :rolleyes:

Many thanks for all the advice and encouragement ;)

Gud lad well done ;)
 
I did get a funny look from a neighbour who saw me getting in the 90 and bashing it with a lump hammer then grabbing the wheel and shaking it uttering oaths and curses o_O Rather John Cleese in Clockwork:p
 
Back
Top