Do you need a special tool to remove...

[Chuck A.]

and replace the steering wheel on a '65 Roadster? I seem to remember it takes a special tool many shops may not have. If so, are these tools available online?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Chuck Anastos (53240)

[Russ S.]

Re: Do you need a special tool to remove...

Just a steering wheel puller available at most auto parts store. They aren't very expensive.

[Chuck A.]

Re: Do you need a special tool to remove...

Thanks Russ. So, just a standard puller? And, can a novice screw the wheel up or is it fairly easy to do?

Chuck A

[Russ S.]

Re: Do you need a special tool to remove...

Chuck,The puller is shaped similar to a Y and should come with a selection of different length and different thread bolts. Remove the horn button, the steering wheel shaft nut, and select the proper bolt length and correct thread bolts and install the puller.Tighten down on the center main puller screw and the wheel should break loose quite easily. A novice shouldn't do any harm to the wheel.

[Jimmy B.]

Re: Do you need a special tool to remove...

You do not need a wheel puller if you are only replacing the steering wheel. You need a thin flat blade (maybe) to help remove the horn button, a phillips screwdriver to remove the horn retainer ring, and then remove the phillips screws that attach the steering wheel to the hub. Reverse and install new wheel, etc., and you are ready to go. Do not pull the hub off unless you are going into it deeper.

[Chuck A.]

Re: Do you need a special tool to remove...

A novice shouldn't do any harm to the wheel.

Thanks a bunch for the very good explanation Russ, although I bet I could prove your last statement incorrect! Do I just pull the horn button off from one side by hand or do I pry it off?

Thanks again and sorry for so many questions!

Chuck A

[Chuck A.]

Re: Do you need a special tool to remove...

Thanks Jimmy. I am just replacing the original plastic wheel (to be stored safely) with a repro Teak wheel. This sounds like a much easier way to just replace the wheel... I wouldn't know what to do inside the hub for sure!

Thanks again to both of you for the advice. When I receive the car and wheel, I will post before and after photos!

Chuck A

[Gerard F.]

Re: Do you need a special tool to remove...

Chuck,

Here's a steering wheel puller in action, if you are going to pull the wheel with the hub:



Note that you should mark the position of the steering wheel (as well as all parts taken off) with respect to the column shaft. That way you'll put it back the way it came off.

If you don't have a steering wheel puller available and you need to pull the wheel and hub, there is another way. Loosen the nut to the top of the shaft, sit in the car with feet on the floor, and both hands on the wheel. Then apply a jerking pressure upward, while a friend hammers the nut with a soft mallet or equivalent. The steering wheel will just pop free.

You keep the nut on the shaft to avoid giving yourself a bloody nose.

Have fun,

[Tom H.]

Re: Do you need a special tool to remove...

Again.......... You will not need a puller to switch your steering wheel. The horn button will just "pop" off with a little tug, the rest is just screws !! You'll see !! Nice easy job, that actually is easy !

[Peter J.]

Re: Do you need a special tool to remove...

Tom is dead on this job, couldn't be easier with just a screw driver. Just make sure you keep the wheels and new steering wheel indexed in case it takes a while to get the new wheel on. Not a big problem but it sure keeps you from that trial and error fitting.

[Russ S.]

Re: Do you need a special tool to remove...

You do not need a wheel puller if you are only replacing the steering wheel. You need a thin flat blade (maybe) to help remove the horn button, a phillips screwdriver to remove the horn retainer ring, and then remove the phillips screws that attach the steering wheel to the hub. Reverse and install new wheel, etc., and you are ready to go. Do not pull the hub off unless you are going into it deeper.

Jimmy is correct. I should have read the post more carefully. RS

[Chuck A.]

Re: Do you need a special tool to remove...

Thanks Tom. I appreciate your help.

Chuck A

[Chuck A.]

Re: Do you need a special tool to remove...

Thanks Peter. This will be the first thing I do!

Chuck A