1971 Steering Wheel Removal - Help needed

[bbrinkley007]

I’m trying to pull the steering wheel from a 1971 FJ. When I pull the center cap off and remove the nut and large washer, I don’t see any threaded side holes like many steering wheels have. How do I safely pull this wheel?

Surely that really small hole isn’t for screwing a small bolt into.

Thanks for any assistance. I did try to search the forums, but I wasn’t able to find any previous posts.

 

[curtislow]

I think you rent a puller at AutoZone.You end up getting it rent free when you return it.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Stick the nut on a few turns and then sit in the seat and start behaving like a chimpanzee. It works like 99% of the time.

 

[EWheeler]

Stick the nut on a few turns and then sit in the seat and start behaving like a chimpanzee. It works like 99% of the time.

Except for the poo flinging. Poo flinging not necessary. Unless you break the steering wheel, then throwing some sh*t in anger is warranted.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Except for the poo flinging. Poo flinging not necessary. Unless you break the steering wheel, then throwing some sh*t in anger is warranted.

It really does work most of the time though lmao. I've gotten several off that way. The nut just keeps you from kissing the centercap at mach jesus.

 

[timmyisinthewell]

Have you removed all the pieces shown in the pic? Did you have all the pieces shown in the pic? I am probably wrong but it looks like the part id'd as 45142 (seat) is still in position. Maybe the holes your looking for to use a puller are under that seat.

 

[bbrinkley007]

Have you removed all the pieces shown in the pic? Did you have all the pieces shown in the pic? I am probably wrong but it looks like the part id'd as 45142 (seat) is still in position. Maybe the holes your looking for to use a puller are under that seat.

View attachment 4048477

I think you are correct. I will continue to inspect that more closely. I did have a few other pieces besides the center cap, nut and large washer. The spring plate that holds the center cap on was also removed and the rubber spacer. Now to see how stubborn that seat is.

 

[tahoe40/45]

Yes, 45142 needs to be removed, behind that is the puller thread holes.

 

[timmyisinthewell]

My jan '72 steering wheel.

 

[mattressking]

A little PB/kroil/ATF combo and get a friend.....pull steering wheel towards you and tap the column (with hammer) with nut in place and it'll pop loose. Better if you have brass drift, etc to keep from damaging during tapping/hammering.

 

[bbrinkley007]

Thanks everyone, once I got the seat plate out, I just used a puller from auto zone and it came right off. Now to start a steering wheel restoration.