MG Car Repair: Removing the steering wheel - 78 MGB, steering wheel, steering column

Question
Hello Barrie--

I've got another simple question regarding my '78B that I'm hoping you can help me out with...I simply need to remove the steering wheel and it's really got me baffled. I've tried the "double hammer" method and a puller (although a puller doesn't work that well on the rubber coated steering wheel) without any success.  It also pains me tremendously to bang away on the steering column with a hammer.  Do you have any advice on how to get the bloody thing off?

Thanks,

Quint

Answer
Be very careful, Quint.  The steering column is collapsible.  If you hit it with a hammer you can easily collapse it, and on a 78 that means a new column.  The factory recommended a special puller with hooks to go round the boss of the wheel.   

Trouble is, the steering wheel boss is made of soft plastic.  I did manage to make a puller adapter - a roughly triangular metal plate with a slot in the middle.  I slid the slot behind the boss of the wheel and then I hooked a large 3-eared puller around the adapter.

Sometimes the wheel can be removed by wiggling the wheel - pull one side whilst pushing the other, then reverse the action, so it walks up the shaft.  You should feel it come loose.  Before doing this, undo the nut in the centre of the wheel and then put it back on loosely, or you will get a wheel in your face.  

If it won't come off that way, you will have to remove the entire steering column assembly after undoing the universal joint in the engine compartment.  Then hold the wheel in a suitable vice and hit the centre (soft metal, don't damage the thread by belling the edge over).

If you ask me another question, I have a photo of the factory puller that I can send you.  The system won't let me append a photo to a modified reply.