MG Car Repair: 77 Midget Steering wheel removal, bolt flange, wheel pullers

Question
I am trying to remove the stock wheel and hub on my 77 midget, I have the nut removed, using a 4" gear puller, I can not seem to work it loose...The stock wheel bolt flange keeps bending...Is the splined shaft tapered, should I remove the wheel from the hub first?  Thanks!

Answer
Hi Lee,
The steering wheel hub is splined with a small tapered seat at the bottom. Sometimes the spline is tight or can get corroded and stick. I have never had any luck with wheel pullers. Most that I had that were difficult, I was able to use hammer on a large brass drift on the shaft while someone else sat in the drivers seat and pulled hard on the wheel by hand. Even with a brass drift it would at times damage the last couple of threads on the shaft and that required a little dressing with a small file to correct.
Howard