steering wheel removal

[steve k 82]

Anyone have any advice on removing the steering wheel fron the shaft on my commando 8? I drove out the roll pin but the wheel wont budge.

I have not tried a puller or anything because I did not want to mar up the wheel.

Thanksin advance.

Steve

[KC9KAS 4,744]

Put plenty of penetrating oil on it...WD-40, PB Blaster, anything that is called penetrating oil....some fellas have favorites.

Let is soak, add more penetrate, let it soak, repeat several times before you try a puller.

[rmaynard 16,289]

Because the hub of the wheel is steel, a 3-armed gear puller shouldn't hurt it. Soak everything with PB Blaster or other penetrating oil and give it a go.

[steve k 82]

Thanks guys, it is presently soaking.....

Will post update.

Steve

[COMMANDO6 20]

I currently have the wheel on my 6 HP soaking too. I was going to ask if there is anything more I can do, but I guess now I have my answer.

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,226]

I had to cut the steering shaft off with a saw-zall just below the steering wheel and remove the stub left in the steering wheel with a press. did all of that soaking and heaating first and didn't want to wreck the steering wheel. glad I did because it was all the press could do to get it out. welded a new shaft onto the steering sector end of the steering shaft and was back in business. Figured this out with the help of a red square member. :handgestures-thumbupright:

[COMMANDO6 20]

Oh but I would really not like to damage the original shaft...

[Trouty56 567]

Is there something about the Commando that would prevent you from taking the shaft and all to the press???? That's how I get them removed.....

[COMMANDO6 20]

Well for me at least, I can't slide the connected dash piece down the shaft because the collar is stuck. Also soaking. So the whole assembly won't really fit in a press, at least not a press my dad n I have.

[rmaynard 16,289]

The collar can be cut off with a sawzall or a good cold chisel.

[steve k 82]

Thats what I may have to do. The collar below the "dash" is stuck on mine as well. I will have to cut it off and slide the dash down and fenangle it into the press. Thanks for the idea!

Steve

[John T 9]

To preserve the original metal, I would use whatever I trust as a rust dissolver, in my case Marvel Mystery Oil, and either buy enough so I can let the assembly be submersed in it or else have rags saturated with it, in contact with the rusted areas, and let this process occur for a week. I would be concerned (now knowing) with what any chemical would do to the steering wheel rubber. That would lean me toward the rag method. For my resto I elected to keep the assembly together, having the same challenge after the roll pin was out...

[John T 9]

Some people use molasses and I learned about that here on the forum I think.

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,226]

Oh but I would really not like to damage the original shaft...

My thoughts too, but it was better to cut the shaft than destroy a nice original steering wheel trying to get it off.

[neil 2,410]

ive destoyed many a steering wheel trying to get shaft off , , i think i would go with cutting the shaft and then either getting a new or used shaft or even weld the old one back .

JMO

[steve k 82]

I got the wheel off today!! I cut the collar of below the dash, slid the dash down, put it in the press with steel blocks under the wheelhub and pressed the shaft out with a 7/16 socket. No marks on the wheel.

Thanks Trouty.

[HorseFixer 2,013]

If I cant get them off quickly with a 3 Jaw Puller I saw the shaft So I can intruduce to MR. 40 ton Hydro Press that gives it an Attitude Adjustment!

~Duke

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,226]

If I cant get them off quickly with a 3 Jaw Puller I saw the shaft So I can intruduce to MR. 40 ton Hydro Press that gives it an Attitude Adjustment!

~Duke

:thanks:

[tommy3horse 3]

I made a 2 pc collar that has the correct diameter and bolted it under the wheel. It was no problem with any puller.

I used a 1/2" thick piece of steel about 2" dia and bored a hole in it, then cut it in half. The wheel "POPPED" when it came loose. Of course, I used alot of PB Blaster before. Good luck...

Tom

[Tankman 3,523]

I always keep the small Singer sewing machine oil cans in stock. Come in handy!

[JackC 617]

Use a large bearing splitter or make a two piece collar like tommy did to grab under the wheel.