Re: EARLY 28 STEERING REPAIR

Posted by Joe on March 25, 1998 at 08:51:12

In Reply to: Re: EARLY 28 STEERING REPAIR
posted by Mike Flanagan on March 25, 1998 at 00:44:32

: The steering wheel is really not that difficult to remove. Just find a thick nut (hardware stores carry coupling nuts that are dandy for this purpose) with the same threads as the steering shaft. Soak the shaft/wheel connection with panther pith over nite and then screw the nut over the threads leaving about .060" gap between the nut and the wheel. Now lay the steering column on a table and steady it with one hand and, with a dead blow hammer, knock the chit out of the nut. One smack should be enough to close the gap. Unscrew a little and hit 'er again. It's offa there!.
I like Mike's idea of a "coupling nut" but it might be a little hard to find a coupling nut with 5/8-18 thread (which is SAE or "Fine" thread)
I might be tempted to try a rear axle "knock off wheel puller" which is available from the major parts suppliers for $4.75 (Snyder's Part No. A-4235-WP)I have some fear that even this will distort the threads since you will put it on only about 3 or 4 turns before reaching the .060 gap mentioned by Mike.
Another method is to use one of the rear axle nuts itself and screw a 5/8-18 hex bolt down through it to contact the top of the steering column.The nut in this case serves merely to keep the threaded portion in shape and it's actually the bolt which transmits the force of your blow to the column shaft.The coupling nut would be superior in use to a rear axle nut here if you can get it.
As Carla says, you'll probably screw up the top of the threaded portion of the steering column so be prepared to work on it by lesser (triangular file) or greater methods (rebuild with weld and machine a new threaded end) once you've accomplished your removal.
Other threads back in January or February have advocated other removal methods, including one by me proposing a "puller type" methodology (which I don't think I would rush to now.)You may want to look these over before you begin.
Good luck and let us know how you make out.
Best regards,
Joe

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