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removing stearing wheel
Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 5:09 pm
by paul
i need any trick to remove the stearing in my m37 , it is pretty brittle and i would like to keep the damage to a minimum
Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 6:38 pm
by vtdeucedriver
Lord knows I tried to save mine. Put the mouse milk to it while using a puller. Took 3 days of soaking and more pressure and it finally gave. I bought a NOS one to replace it. Good luck if its on there like mine was.
Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 8:44 pm
by Josh
good luck getting it off. I ended up wrecking mine getting it off, and I think most everyone else has as well.
Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 10:49 pm
by Master Yota
Its easier to unbolt the steering box from the frame and wiggle the hole works out past the pedals - wheel, coloum, box and all...!
My pitman are came off really easy, no fighting whatsoever - much easier route than trying to remove the steering wheel.
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 3:47 am
by powerwagontim
With the correct puller it will come right off. I have pulled dozens and not damaged one. I have loaned my puller out all across the country, to anyone willing to pay the postage. So far it has always come back.
Just let me know if you need it.
Tim
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 5:32 am
by Tom @ Snake River
Borrow the correct one from Tim, or there is the possibility of using a clam shell bearing puller to get right behind the hub.
That is how I did mine.
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 9:14 am
by paul
powerwagontim wrote:With the correct puller it will come right off. I have pulled dozens and not damaged one. I have loaned my puller out all across the country, to anyone willing to pay the postage. So far it has always come back.
Just let me know if you need it.
Tim
a picture of your puller would be nice i could probaly copy it or fabricate something similar
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 10:12 am
by powerwagontim
Hi Paul,
I will get you some pics. It is basically a large c clamp with a U shaped collar that fits the back of the wheel.
Tim
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 10:19 am
by paul
all rigth easy enuf to do , i have c clamp- check, welder check , plasma cutter check , ill fabricate one , thanks a lot no need for picture
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 11:48 am
by powerwagontim
Hi Paul,
If you are going to go at it blind, let me give you a few more details. The "clamp" is HEAVY duty. The screw has hex head on the top and an adapter at the bottom that is turned to the hole size of the column, with a shoulder that rests on the end of the column. Loosen the steering wheel nut, but leave it on, flush with the end of the column to prevent the tube from mushrooming, and to protect the threads.
On the bottom, there is a thick flat U that just fits around the column and fetches up against the steering wheel.
In use, I use an impact wrench to snug the puller down. Then a good sharp rap on the hex end of the screw and the wheel usually just POPS right up. Then take the rig off, pull the steering wheel nut off, then put the rig back on and turn it back down and the wheel will come the rest of the way off.
Good luck,
Tim
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:04 pm
by Cal_Gary
Be VERY careful working around the inner column-I almost trashed mine, even with the correct puller.
Gary
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:06 pm
by powerwagontim
Hi Gary,
That is why it is so important to leave the nut on and flush with the top of the shaft. But I bet you already know that!

Tim
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 1:08 pm
by Wayne64
Do a search here about steering wheel pullers. I posted pics of my home made one which worked fine. You just might want to use some more padding than I did.
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 3:21 pm
by vtdeucedriver
powerwagontim wrote:With the correct puller it will come right off. I have pulled dozens and not damaged one. I have loaned my puller out all across the country, to anyone willing to pay the postage. So far it has always come back.
Just let me know if you need it.
Tim
Where were you 10 yrs ago when I was pulling mine??????
Hey send me a e-mail
vtdeucedriver@yahoo.com
You going to have your M37 done this summer????
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 3:49 pm
by powerwagontim
You going to have your M37 done this summer????
Dude, you need to quit your day job and go on the comedy circuit, cause that is funny!
Winter is when I get most of my wrenching done, and this winter has seen VERY little M37 progress. I have however completed a bunch of other projects that stood in the way of my focusing on the M37. I have one more biggy to wrap up, the completion of a 1962 Triumph TR-3a that has been taking up half of my shop for waaaay too long. It needs to be done and moved out before I can really start putting the M back together. At this point it is in a million parts, many of which are all painted and ready to go.
I know if I move the TR3a out and start the M, I will never go back and finish the TR. I just know myself.
So, my plan is to have all decks cleared for action next winter, with any luck you are only a year off.
I still hope to make the MV get-together this summer in the Power Wagon though.
Tim