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67_6Cyl

Member Since: 10 Feb 2010
Location: France
Posts: 97

removing the stearing wheel

I'm after a magic tip / trick.

I am trying to remove the steering wheel to replace the indicator / dim / dip / horn switch.

It looks like the steering wheel has been fixed onto the splined steering column with threadlock, or at least wanged on far too tight.

I have made a puller bar that screws into the two M6 threads either side of the boss, and pushes on the splined inner column. All that this did was manage to bend a piece of 1/4 inch thick steel, and not remove the wheel from the splines. - I have also soaked it in WD40 and PlusGas, without any effect.

Help. Any ideas as to how to remove the wheel from the column?

Thanks

Jon

24th Jun 2015 11:13am

scotia

Member Since: 29 Oct 2014
Location: North Cambs
Posts: 96

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey

Have you tried thumping the front of the wheel on alternate sides a few times - this usually works.. If not use and even thicker piece of steel for your puller and a hefty blow with a hammer on the end of the centre bolt head whilst it is under maximum tension.

Last edited by scotia on 24th Jun 2015 11:59am. Edited 2 times in total

24th Jun 2015 11:27am

gilarion

Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5108

2007 Defender 90 Other CSW Trident Green

Probably not a great help but I mention this just in case you are having the same problem as I once had.

I had the same difficulty with a steering wheel and no matter what I did I could not remove it. Turned out some nutter had hammered a 36 spline wheel onto a 48 spline shaft to get it to fit. Ended up having to cut the wheel off and replace the column. For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..

http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1

24th Jun 2015 11:27am

X4SKP

Member Since: 29 Nov 2013
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2295

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey

Hello 67_6Cyl

I had a similar problem, mine had a Startech Steering wheel fitted which was 1 spline out in alignment...

and was also really tightly engaged onto the splines.

I used a Puller to apply an even force to the Boss...which is the key here (I would suggest)...
You think it's not going to move and then it releases,
just take your time and check for true alignment as you go...

As you can see I took the Steering wheel off the Boss in order to do this

Good Luck

Click image to enlarge SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html

24th Jun 2015 11:33am

grafty99

Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: North Devon
Posts: 4785

Nothing wrong with an accurate and proportional blow with a hammer if all of the above fail (using the puller in combination) 2002 90 Td5 Station Wagon
1990 Vogue SE
Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200
Td5 90 Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic50767.html
Tdi 110 Thread https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic69562.html
RRC Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic54492.html
Instagram http://www.instagram.com/george_grafton

24th Jun 2015 11:48am

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17322

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

Use a bigger/stronger puller.

You don't actually need to get the wheel off to do what you need, it is possible to remove the switch from the mounting plate and swap it over. You have to be careful as there are springs and small parts which can fall out, but it is possible - I have done it in the past on my 2.4.

24th Jun 2015 12:18pm

nitram17

Member Since: 08 Jun 2014
Location: newcastle
Posts: 2261

Re: removing the stearing wheel

67_6Cyl wrote:
I'm after a magic tip / trick.

I am trying to remove the steering wheel to replace the indicator / dim / dip / horn switch.

It looks like the steering wheel has been fixed onto the splined steering column with threadlock, or at least wanged on far too tight.

I have made a puller bar that screws into the two M6 threads either side of the boss, and pushes on the splined inner column. All that this did was manage to bend a piece of 1/4 inch thick steel, and not remove the wheel from the splines. - I have also soaked it in WD40 and PlusGas, without any effect.

Help. Any ideas as to how to remove the wheel from the column?

Thanks

Jon

Have you tried holding it at 12 and 6 then 3 and 9 rocking back and forward frequently dont try to pull but rock it as this may loosen it...then pull!

24th Jun 2015 5:37pm

sharkey964

Member Since: 05 Oct 2014
Location: On a muddy track
Posts: 574

2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black

All good advice.
The only thing I would add is,leave the center nut on a few threads,then if it comes free whilst your pulling / banging it,it wont smack you in the face.
Bonne chance.
Marc

Last edited by sharkey964 on 24th Jun 2015 6:54pm. Edited 1 time in total

24th Jun 2015 6:53pm

Clemmo

Member Since: 03 Aug 2012
Location: Mile Oak
Posts: 1217

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey

!!!!! Remember to leave the nut on the top of the thread when pulling/banging!!!

How many of us have had a steering wheel in the face?!?

EDIT...30 seconds too late ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Clemmo Make today a little better than yesterday but not so good as tomorrow....
Defender 90 HT............Pangea Green
BMW X3 Msport............Carbon Black
Mini Electric................Grey. (wow!)
MGB Roadster……..........Vermillion 17k miles
Honda Benly CD200....Maroon --------McLouis Fusio........7.4m of fun

24th Jun 2015 6:54pm

67_6Cyl

Member Since: 10 Feb 2010
Location: France
Posts: 97

cheers guys.

I have tried the rocking and hammering, but without success - but I did keep the nut on, just in case.

I have now ordered a proper steering wheel puller.

Best

Jon

25th Jun 2015 10:06am

Martin
Site Admin

Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6603

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red

Ensure the puller you use puts pressure on the column, not on the 2 M6 threads.

1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top

2015 D90 XS SW

25th Jun 2015 11:05am

67_6Cyl

Member Since: 10 Feb 2010
Location: France
Posts: 97

Done!

Quick warning, it turned out that the threads in the central boss to pull from were 1/4 UNF not M6........

Built in 2007..... And still a mix of UNF and metric.......

Jon

12th Jul 2015 4:42pm

ozzy57

Member Since: 14 Feb 2014
Location: Farnborough
Posts: 221

Re: removing the stearing wheel

67_6Cyl wrote:
I'm after a magic tip / trick.

I am trying to remove the steering wheel to replace the indicator / dim / dip / horn switch.

It looks like the steering wheel has been fixed onto the splined steering column with threadlock, or at least wanged on far too tight.

I have made a puller bar that screws into the two M6 threads either side of the boss, and pushes on the splined inner column. All that this did was manage to bend a piece of 1/4 inch thick steel, and not remove the wheel from the splines. - I have also soaked it in WD40 and PlusGas, without any effect.

Help. Any ideas as to how to remove the wheel from the column?

Thanks

Jon

I've also made my own puller. 18mm A/F hex bar, 6mm bolts as per and an m12 bolt through the centre. Works every time, and you won't bend it. It wasn't me!

15th Jul 2015 5:43pm

Laurie

Member Since: 22 Feb 2008
Location: Sussex, England
Posts: 2897

2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Bonatti Grey

Completely slacken the nut. Lock the tab to stop it coming undone anymore.
Then drive it 'til it comes loose. Won't take long. (Especially on potholed roads

)

15th Jul 2015 5:49pm

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