My Willys 3A and 3B Community
3A, 3B, DJ Technical Knowledge Base => "Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations => Topic started by: jeffb on October 11, 2011, 06:08:26 AM
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Is it necessary to pull the steering wheel, possible to take shaft out instead? Thanks in advance for advise!
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I believe you are going to have to pull the steering wheel off. Search this forum for some tips and tools on how to do this, but be prepared for some fun. Over time, the steering wheel can become pretty tough to get off. You will probably want to start soaking the steering wheel in penetrating oil and keep it up for a week or two. A 50/50 mix of transmision fluid and acetone works well for a penetrating oil also.
Be very careful about getting the wheel off. You do not want to get too rough with it and damage the threads on the end of the steering shaft. I did that and ended up having to take mine to a machine shop and get it machined with new threads...
Good luck!
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Yeah I'll second that. I had a heck of a time getting my steering wheel off. i just kept putting cutting oil down the shaft and rapping on it with a hammer (firmly but not hard enough to break any parts of the wheel) It actually took a few days of doing that and just about the time I thought I was gonna have to sacrifice the wheel and really wrench on it it popped off!!
Tom
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There is a tool for pulling off the steering wheel, its a large C clamp with a split fork that goes under the wheel, it also has a bunch of different inserts that go over the horn button. I borrowed one from an old jeep mechanic, but I would think they are kind of universal. You might also check with Rocketeer, he hangs out on the 2A page, i think he made a steering wheel puller and may be able to share a picture.
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Sounds like I lucked out in not needing a puller to get my wheel off. While probably not a recommended method, I took a rubber mallet and lightly tapped around the wheel and was able to get it to move enough to keep going. Took me a little while, but it did finally come off puller free.
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My wheel was really a mess, so I used the hammer method, after that it was unsalvagable. If there is any doubt about saving the wheel I would reccomend finding or building a puller.
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It is possible to take apart the steering box and pull the shaft out of it, thats what I ended up doing. Be ready for a big mess of oil, and take care not to loose any ball bearings.
-Jesse