Steering wheel removal - different result

[toynrnd]

So I am trying to replace the steering box/column in my '51.  I read a lot of posts on how to do it, and followed the tips everyone had.  I removed the top nut, soaked the splines for 2 weeks with PB Blaster, used a bearing separator as my puller (not tight against the steering tube), and it took 3 days before the steering wheel started moving (tightening the puller/a couple hammer blows to the puller, repeat the next day).  When I finally got the wheel nearly off the splines, and made the last pull by hand, the steering wheel, upper bearing, and tube came off.  I did not realize the tube was coming off with the wheel. 
History - This Jeep sat outside for 5+ years with no horn button before I bought it, so I assume the wheel is rusted to the bearing?
You can hold the tube and the wheel stills turns.  I have another steering box and tube (but it looks like the upper bearing is missing) so I could sacrifice this tube.  Just looking for some ideas to separate it all and preserve my steering wheel.  :-/

[1955CJ-5]

I may be off base here-you may have a different problem- but when I pulled my steering wheel, the threaded part of the puller ( harbor freight gear puller) didn't have enough reach, it bottomed out against the spline portion in the wheel and no longer pushed against the shaft, so I made a longer point for the end with a bolt....maybe your's bottomed out and a little more length will help?

[toynrnd]

The wheel is off the shaft, here is what I have, steering shaft still in Jeep, still connected to box:

[toynrnd]

The steering wheel, upper bearing, and steering tube are out of the Jeep:

[toynrnd]

Underside of steering wheel and tube:

[toynrnd]

Looking down the wheel:

[1955CJ-5]

The pictures sure help.....so the tube is somehow pressed or forced into the bottom of the steering wheel?

Were you able to steer the jeep? The wheel would turn when it was installed? Would the tube turn with it?

It seems you have a unique problem....

I'm not sure what I would do, that is a nice wheel and you sure want to save it.

If you put the wheel flat against the floor, on a pad or piece of carpet, and hold it firmly, can you GENTLY work the tube back and forth just a little? it may eventually come loose...

I may even try dunking it in a pan of warm or hot water and maybe it'll loosen.....

I might have to run over to storage later and get a good look and some pictures....somehow your wheel looks a little different to me....

Here is mine..

[toynrnd]

Yes, the Jeep would steer when I bought it. Right now, you can hold the tube still and the wheel rotates. What separates the wheel from the top bearing, a washer of some sort?

[1955CJ-5]

The top of the bearing is flared a little, so it sits in the tube without sliding down it....maybe that is what we see in the picture of the wheel spline...

And the rest of the bearing may be rusted in place.....

[toynrnd]

Does anyone have a photo of the underside of a steering wheel so I know how much room I have to play with if I start cutting the tube to get to the bearing?

[1955CJ-5]

OK I had an idea.....do you have a long dowel or broom handle, maybe even a length of pipe that is larger in diameter than the steering shaft but smaller than the tube, and longer than the tube? Push it into the tube from the far steering box end and it ought to come up against the back of the bearing..tap the dowel/pipe on the floor while holding the tube and steering wheel....I would think you could push the bearing and wheel out from the backside...

[1955CJ-5]

I found my old bearing...

The narrow neck points towards the steering box, there is a snap ring that holds it and the ball bearings in place inside the larger piece...

[Rus Curtis]

Man, I wasn't following this at first....

You're saying after pulling the wheel off, the inner shaft (Tube and Cam) - that has the splines at the top for the steering wheel - is still attached to the jeep and what you pulled off is the steering wheel stuck to the outer tube (Column and Bearing)?

[toynrnd]

1955 CJ-5, thank you for taking the time to dig out that old bearing, and for the long pipe idea!

Rus, you are correct, that is my dilemma.

[Rus Curtis]

...you are correct, that is my dilemma.

Ok, I didn't want to post anything in case I was off topic.  Those two things shouldn't be stuck together.  There should be a gap between the wheel and that column.  It shouldn't be making contact. 

I would try to stand it inverted (wheel on the ground) and puddle penetrant into that seam around the column.  Repeat it over a few hours/days depending on your patience - or how fast that puddle soaks in.  I would then want to place a block of wood on the other end of the column and tap it firmly a few times to introduce some shock.  More spray.  Repeat a few times.  But somewhere along this process try and wiggle that column back/forth or circles while standing on the wheel.  None of this is aggressive (taps on the block or the wiggling).  Since what you're doing is trying to break up rust (I hope it's not something worse, i.e. epoxy) and you don't want to crack your steering wheel (stand close to center hub to minimize torque).   With gloves on, you may in between attempts try and twist the column to see if you can get it to spin too. 

Prior to pulling a wheel, the outer column is secured at 2 locations (a bracket at the instrument panel and clamped to the upper cover on top of the housing).  Having it stick in this way is a new one for me.  I presume you've read the article/links on the 3B Page about removal.
http://cj3b.info/Tech/SteeringWheel.html