Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-18-2017, 06:56 PM   #1
JonC
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Central NY
Posts: 629
Default steering wheel removal

I am starting on my 31 roadster project and was wondering if someone can point me in the right direction. How do you go about removing actually taking apart the column. I am afraid of breaking something so better to find the right way first. Is there a book that will guide me through it. Thanks
JonC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2017, 07:56 PM   #2
RRW
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Bullhead City, AZ
Posts: 62
Send a message via Yahoo to RRW
Default Re: steering wheel removal

Les Andrew's handbook:
Model A Ford
Mechanics Handbook Vol. I
Page 1-317 & 1-318
RRW is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 04-18-2017, 08:00 PM   #3
Gunmetal blue2
Senior Member
 
Gunmetal blue2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Columbia, TN.38401
Posts: 422
Default Re: steering wheel removal

I found it helps if you take lots of pics as you take it apart. Just so you know you should have a 2 tooth steering column.
Gunmetal blue2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2017, 08:04 PM   #4
Tom Wesenberg
Senior Member
 
Tom Wesenberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
Default Re: steering wheel removal

Loosen the shaft nut under the horn button, then pull rearward hard as you rock the steering wheel slightly from side to side. If it doesn't pop loose, then some have drilled and tapped 2 holes in the hub so they could use the common steering wheel puller. Don't hammer on the threads of the shaft.
Tom Wesenberg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2017, 08:10 PM   #5
Joe K
Senior Member
 
Joe K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Cow Hampshire
Posts: 4,173
Default Re: steering wheel removal

The Service Bulletins actually do a pretty good job on the two-tooth columns. Centering the sector the big challenge best done on the bench.

Joe K
__________________
Shudda kept the horse.
Joe K is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2017, 06:30 AM   #6
Jacksonlll
Senior Member
 
Jacksonlll's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC
Posts: 1,686
Send a message via ICQ to Jacksonlll
Default Re: steering wheel removal

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
If the steering wheel won't come off, try this method. Short video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er3g...YNpnU0&index=7
Jacksonlll is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2017, 06:48 AM   #7
Tom Wesenberg
Senior Member
 
Tom Wesenberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
Default Re: steering wheel removal

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacksonlll View Post
If the steering wheel won't come off, try this method. Short video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er3g...YNpnU0&index=7
That's a good idea and worth a try before drilling and tapping the hub.
It won't matter for this removal by rope, but if you use the bolts, the puller is pictured upside down.
Tom Wesenberg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2017, 06:59 AM   #8
RonC
Senior Member
 
RonC's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 1,868
Default Re: steering wheel removal

There are special pullers for removing those wheels. You can buy one from the parts venders. Whatever you do don't bang on the shaft. The shaft threads are extremely delicate. Do not disassembly the assembly before you do a little research and are ready to rebuild it.

Last edited by RonC; 04-19-2017 at 10:55 AM.
RonC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2017, 07:15 AM   #9
Big hammer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Lincoln
Posts: 3,114
Default Re: steering wheel removal

The steering shaft is not a shaft, it's a tube! Bill Williamson has a way to remove the wheel and always works, knees under the wheel, upward pressure, rock back and forth with your hands, it will pop off! Look out for your nose, yes it hit my nose
Big hammer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2017, 08:10 AM   #10
Mitch//pa
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 11,454
Default Re: steering wheel removal

Another option
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_5828.jpg (16.5 KB, 138 views)
Mitch//pa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2017, 08:11 AM   #11
Mitch//pa
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 11,454
Default Re: steering wheel removal

Quote:
Originally Posted by Big hammer View Post
The steering shaft is not a shaft, it's a tube! Bill Williamson has a way to remove the wheel and always works, knees under the wheel, upward pressure, rock back and forth with your hands, it will pop off! Look out for your nose, yes it hit my nose
Thats why i put the nut back on a few threads before pulling...
On these old wheels be careful as they crack easy doing it this way.. grabbing the center of the wheel will help prevent that but you lose leverage
Mitch//pa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2017, 08:19 AM   #12
JohnLaVoy
Senior Member
 
JohnLaVoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Rocklin, CA
Posts: 779
Default Re: steering wheel removal

The wheel puller is the best way to do it.
JohnLaVoy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2017, 11:03 AM   #13
JonC
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Central NY
Posts: 629
Default Re: steering wheel removal

Thanks everyone. Mitch thanks for the picture, I can build that in the shop. My plan is to remove the box and column as a unit and disassemble on the bench. I will do some reading. Jon
JonC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2017, 12:13 PM   #14
duke36
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,414
Default Re: steering wheel removal

Tried everthing including the puller style pictured,with rocking motion, etc. The puller started to bend. Perhaps the newer ones are better. Since the old (30-31) wheel was to be replaced, a soft rubber mallet was used on the spokes close to the hub as possible along wih the slight rocking motion and very gentle taping to finally release the woodruff key. Unfortunately it appeared that someone had strong armed the nut to the shaft!.
duke36 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2017, 01:49 PM   #15
BILL WILLIAMSON
Senior Member
 
BILL WILLIAMSON's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
Posts: 12,560
Default Re: steering wheel removal

Search for my "sure fire" removal method. Big Hammer has the general idea, BUT the knees aren't used.
An Old Dutchman taught me how to do it & I HAVEN'T ever used a puller since then.
Bill Slick
__________________
"THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"
BILL WILLIAMSON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2017, 02:35 PM   #16
JonC
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Central NY
Posts: 629
Default Re: steering wheel removal

Thanks Bill
JonC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2017, 03:05 PM   #17
harleynut
Senior Member
 
harleynut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Pittsburgh Pa
Posts: 279
Default Re: steering wheel removal

Might find this a little odd but I left the steering wheel on and removed the whole column with the steering box and all in one piece (less the pitman arm) thru the cab. I had the advantage of putting the top down on the Phaeton. Once out, I hung the steering column on my engine lift by the steering wheel with straps close to the center of the wheel. With the box about an inch above the floor, I gave it a little tap on the backed off nut and the steering wheel separated from the shaft nicely using the weight of the steering box. I had to take the whole assembly out anyhow to rebuild the box
harleynut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2017, 06:21 AM   #18
JonC
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Central NY
Posts: 629
Default Re: steering wheel removal

I am taking my whole unit out as well, thanks for the tip
JonC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2017, 07:07 AM   #19
Chris H
Senior Member
 
Chris H's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Wood River, IL
Posts: 119
Default Re: steering wheel removal

I pulled the whole unit from my Tudor and put it in a vise. I bought one of the pullers from Macs, I think. It did not take long before it started to bend. I had to reinforce it by welding angle iron on it. (It ain't pretty.) I spent about two weeks of adding Kroil to the taper joint, tightening the puller, and smacking the puller bolt with a hammer. Each day, after work, I would go out and tighten the puller, give a few hammer blows, and add some Kroil. One day it just popped off! Thankfully, because I was running out of ideas. I wish I had thought of the method of drilling and tapping the hub, or the rope method.

I don't know if it was the right thing to do, but on reassembly, I applied a little anti-seize on the taper. That's been about 5 years ago, and haven't had any problems.
__________________
Chris H.

1930 Tudor
1964 MGB
1979 MGB

Ham call: N9WHH
Chris H is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2017, 07:40 AM   #20
SeaSlugs
Senior Member
 
SeaSlugs's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Central, IL
Posts: 3,968
Default Re: steering wheel removal

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris H View Post
I pulled the whole unit from my Tudor and put it in a vise. I bought one of the pullers from Macs, I think. It did not take long before it started to bend. I had to reinforce it by welding angle iron on it. (It ain't pretty.) I spent about two weeks of adding Kroil to the taper joint, tightening the puller, and smacking the puller bolt with a hammer. Each day, after work, I would go out and tighten the puller, give a few hammer blows, and add some Kroil. One day it just popped off! Thankfully, because I was running out of ideas. I wish I had thought of the method of drilling and tapping the hub, or the rope method.

I don't know if it was the right thing to do, but on reassembly, I applied a little anti-seize on the taper. That's been about 5 years ago, and haven't had any problems.
Ive done it before on lawnmower steering shafts with grease - just a very light finger smear helps in the future. Just make sure both parts are clean before doing so and you keep the nut tight.
__________________
1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!
SeaSlugs is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:43 AM.