Pulling '76 steering wheel
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 75
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From: Fairfax Virginia
Pulling '76 steering wheel
Hey, I cant pull my vega steering wheel. Im using a standard steering wheel puller from auto zone. When I start tightening the pressure screw the whole puller assembly just stars bending to one side. Is there a something im missing? Is there a special steering wheel puller? any help is appreciated
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
I'm a little confused. Are you just trying to remove the steering wheel? If that's the case, you shouldn't be using a puller, those are to remove the hub from the shaft, and you don't need to remove the hub to remove the steering wheel.
What kind of column do you have? I'm guessing you have a tilt/tele?
If that's the case, to remove the wheel all you should need to do is -
1) pull the horn button
2) Remove 3 screws, and remove horn contact, and shims
3) Remove 2 screws holding adjusting ring to the star screw
4) Remove star screw, adjusting ring, and contact spacer
5) Remove 6 screws holding on steering wheel and hub cover
This is from memory, so I might be a little off, but I don't think by much.
What kind of column do you have? I'm guessing you have a tilt/tele?
If that's the case, to remove the wheel all you should need to do is -
1) pull the horn button
2) Remove 3 screws, and remove horn contact, and shims
3) Remove 2 screws holding adjusting ring to the star screw
4) Remove star screw, adjusting ring, and contact spacer
5) Remove 6 screws holding on steering wheel and hub cover
This is from memory, so I might be a little off, but I don't think by much.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: candler nc
you wont see the 6 screws with the vega type wheel. i think! i have a 77 with the same wheel and had an 81 that did have the 6 screws. i would think you would use a regular steering wheel puller. and yep i just looked at mine. no 6 screws. totally different type steering wheel( leather wrapped 3 spoke) from the vega style
billy
correct me if im wrong please.
billy
correct me if im wrong please.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: candler nc
an old bubba trick we used to use... loosen the large nut in the center but dont remove it. loosen it until the nut is just an 1/8 inch past the top of the threads. have someone tap the nut with a hammer , hard. while you pull (jerk) on the steering wheel. dont remove the center nut or you will booger up the threads and if not left on until the wheel comes loose it will fly loose whille youre pulling on it and whack you in the head.
bubba invented it , i tried it, and it did work for me.,
billy
bubba invented it , i tried it, and it did work for me.,
billy
Last edited by straitjacket; Mar 19, 2013 at 06:15 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
Sorry but I didn't realize that the Vega wheel had the hub integrated with the wheel, so yes, you will need to use the puller.
The cheap puller from autozone should work fine.
First, you should put a set screw in where the star screw came out, but I have used the star screw, just be carefull.
Remove the large nut holding the wheel/hub on.
I always hand start the two bolts that screw into the hub (or wheel/hub in your case), then tighten the two bolts with a wrench till snug. Then tighten the center bolt by hand until it's snug. The puller should be well balanced, then slowly tighten the center bolt until the hub comes off.
The cheap puller from autozone should work fine.
First, you should put a set screw in where the star screw came out, but I have used the star screw, just be carefull.
Remove the large nut holding the wheel/hub on.
I always hand start the two bolts that screw into the hub (or wheel/hub in your case), then tighten the two bolts with a wrench till snug. Then tighten the center bolt by hand until it's snug. The puller should be well balanced, then slowly tighten the center bolt until the hub comes off.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax Virginia
an old bubba trick we used to use... loosen the large nut in the center but dont remove it. loosen it until the nut is just an 1/8 inch past the top of the threads. have someone tap the nut with a hammer , hard. while you pull (jerk) on the steering wheel. dont remove the center nut or you will booger up the threads and if not left on until the wheel comes loose it will fly loose whille youre pulling on it and whack you in the head.
bubba invented it , i tried it, and it did work for me.,
billy
bubba invented it , i tried it, and it did work for me.,
billy
Just tried it and it took 6 hits to get the steering wheel off
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax Virginia
Im doing a body off restoration and I have the column out to clean it up and fix a short somewhere between the horn an turn signals. Im sure ill be asking all you good folk for plenty of advice