Project started on C-121 day 2 and I'm stuck

[RJ Hamner 1,028]

I am starting with all the sheet metal and need to take the steering wheel off.

Parts book shows a "1/4X2 Spiral Pin"

Frankly I am at a loss on how you are supposed to remove a "spiral pin"

Any ideas????

(tried Amazon for a spiral pin removal tool but came up empty)

[rmaynard 16,701]

Welcome neighbor. Try searching 1/4" ROLL pin punch.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,869]

A common roll pin or split pin is made from a single roll of spring steel.

A spiral pin is made of thinner material rolled multiple times making a stronger pin. The end of the pin is where you will see the spiral.

Both are treated the same and a pin punch helps. They have a *** in the middle that fits in the small center hole of the pin keeping it centered on the pin.

 

You have to get the steering column solid so hammer blows are not lost. A 2x4 or 4x4 between the wheel hub and a large tree works well. Drive the pin out of the hub into the end of the wood.

 

Garry

 

[rmaynard 16,701]

There are many posts on here about the trials and tribulations of trying to remove a steering wheel. Keep us posted on how the project is coming along, and post some pictures.

The *** that Garry's post mentioned is t.i.t. Software prevents words thought to be offensive from being displayed, and replaces them with "*".

[RJ Hamner 1,028]

Roll pin punches I have.  Thanks for the advise!

Is that 2x4 stud grade or pressure treated??????

[rmaynard 16,701]

 Use the cheapest one you can find since you will most likely be beating the heck out of it.

[RJ Hamner 1,028]

1/4" roll pin tool worked like a champ.

However the steering wheel did NOT want to come off the shaft.

Sooooo.... we went hard to port than hard to starboard and a hard yank and a few Navy adjectives she came right off!!

Sometimes ya gotta really TALK to em to get their attention!!!

[rmaynard 16,701]

You, my friend are one of the luckiest steering wheel pullers on earth. Most guys would still be posting a week from now saying "okay, tried that, what next?". Congrats on getting the wheel off. Now if you have anymore questions, please let us know.

Maybe you will have more trouble pulling the rear hubs...

[953 nut 63,195]

31 minutes ago, RJ Hamner said:

2x4 stud grade or pressure treated?

Preferably Red Cedar considering the   is red.         

[RJ Hamner 1,028]

It's been said the "Even a blind squirrel gets a nut every once in a while"

Before its over I am sure I will have more questions.

Thanks again for the help

[Ed Kennell 43,865]

23 minutes ago, RJ Hamner said:

 

However the steering wheel did NOT want to come off the shaft.

Sooooo.... we went hard to port than hard to starboard and a hard yank and a few Navy adjectives she came right off!!

Sometimes ya gotta really TALK to em to get their attention!!!

You gotta be the first to talk a wheel off.    Most of us have to resort to the BFH.         I wonder if the "swabbie" language would work on hubs and hitch pins.

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,362]

@RJ Hamner Do you do house calls?  Either you got lucky or someone was watching out for you. A BFH  and a brass hammer are standard tools.

the way Welcome to Red square. 

[Wheel-N-It 2,976]

Post pics on your project. I just brought home a C-121 this weekend. I'd like to see what you are doing. Fortunately I just had to replace the seat and change the oil. Not enough to post any pics more interesting than the sandwich I ate on the way home from picking the 121 up this past Saturday.

[RJ Hamner 1,028]

Well here she is. Fresh off the trailer.

[Wheel-N-It 2,976]

You got AG's !!! Yours looks to be in pretty decent shape!  I'll have to post a couple of pics of mine. I really like how yours looks with the AG tires.

Edited July 12, 2016 by Wheel-N-It

[clueless 3,334]

You, sir should buy a lottery ticket or two! Still fighting one after two weeks of PB blaster, and numerous adjectives. 

[RJ Hamner 1,028]

I don't know if this will help but after you have the pin out turn the wheel to the stop and then turn it some more  the turn to the stop in the other direction and try to turn past it the wheel should begin to free itself then try pulling up.

Vocabulary is optional

[JPWH 6,542]

Be careful with turning the steering wheel too hard. The fan gear mounting plate may break. I know of one that broke this way.