Steering Wheel Removal

[ScotStern]

On my 1979 MGB, the turn signal / dimmer switch seems to be bad as now it has no spring back and will light the bright lights unless I manually push it back towards the dash. I have removed the plastic housing around the steering column but it appears that you have to remove the steering wheel in order to remove the switch.

I removed the nut and then put it back on so that I could use it to absorb a few blows to the shaft but I have only got the wheel about halfway off. I do not want to damage the threads so I was wondering how to get the wheel off. I tried some WD-40 but it really didn’t help. It does not look like a steering wheel puller would work but I don’t know.

Any suggestions? I tried a search in the forum but found no real information.

Thanks,

Scot Stern

 

[tony barnhill]

PB Blaster is the product to use....however, sit down in your seat, grab the wheel with both arms & push with your legs...but be careful you don't give yourself a nose bleed

 

[kennypinkerton]

Leave the nut just threaded on, and you'll forgo the broken nose problem.

...and put the hammer up. You could damage the column with that. There's a little piece of break-away plastic that lets the shaft collapse in a bad accident. If that breaks you'll be rebuilding the whole column.

Also, WD-40 is a WATER DISPLACEMENT chemical, not a penetrating oil. Get some PB-Blaster or Aerokroil.

 

[ScotStern]

Do you actually have to remove the steering wheel in order to replace the turn signal / light dimmer switch?

Thanks,

Scot

 

[tony barnhill]

on the late model cars, Yes

 

[tony barnhill]

& when you get it off, grease the splines before you reinstall it

 

[kennypinkerton]

wit some of that silver anti-sieze compound.

 

[tony barnhill]

Sorry - didn't finish....thanks, Kenny

 

[kennypinkerton]

yer welcome <bowing>

 

[ScotStern]

You guys are great! I really appreciate the help. How does one know if you damaged the shaft by using the dreaded hammer? I did no damage to the threads or the end of the shaft that I could see, but now I am worried that there is some internal damage that I can't see.

Thanks,

Scot

 

[DrEntropy]

If the column moves in and out more now than it did before the hammer, you have a problem. Otherwise, reassemble and drive.

About the only thing WD-40 is good for on LBC's is the inside of a dizzy cap if water gets to it.

 

[tony barnhill]

AMEN to useless WD-40!

 

[R6MGS]

Wonder if Keenan ever got his wheel off?? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[kennypinkerton]

Where is he anyway?

 

[jlaird]

PB-Blaster, supose this stuff is available someplace locally?

 

[tony barnhill]

I find it at my local hardware store

 

[jlaird]

Oh, I have an ACE??

 

[kennypinkerton]

Advance auto parts, Autozone, O'Rielly, Sometimes in Wal-mart.

 

[jlaird]

Oh, great, Niceville has an Autozone. Thanks.

 

[ScotStern]

I finally got it off but it took PB blaster and aggressive movement from side to side with the wheel before it would come loose.

Thanks,

Scot