hardcore5657
Well-Known Member
How do I remove the stock steering wheel on my 73 duster and replace it with a new one? How hard is it and is there any special tools required.
Removing the steering wheel?
- Thread starter hardcore5657
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69B-Cuda
Well-Known Member
method 1. steering wheel puller.
method 2 (my Dad has better luck with this than I do). loosen nut holding steering wheel on so it is at the end of the shaft and the threads are protected. Put feet up on something so you can apply pressure to the underside of the steering wheel with your knees. Put a ball peen hammer on the nut, hit it with a 2nd hammer (multiple sharp raps, not a huge blow) and it should knock it loose after a while. Sometimes I will apply pressure to the bottom of the wheel with my knees and pull the top towards me with one hand. Hold ball peen hammer with same hand, and hit with hammer in other hand. sound interesting? it is.
method 2 (my Dad has better luck with this than I do). loosen nut holding steering wheel on so it is at the end of the shaft and the threads are protected. Put feet up on something so you can apply pressure to the underside of the steering wheel with your knees. Put a ball peen hammer on the nut, hit it with a 2nd hammer (multiple sharp raps, not a huge blow) and it should knock it loose after a while. Sometimes I will apply pressure to the bottom of the wheel with my knees and pull the top towards me with one hand. Hold ball peen hammer with same hand, and hit with hammer in other hand. sound interesting? it is.
Joe Dokes
Well-Known Member
Buy a puller, you'll thank yourself later.
Sometimes it's hard to spend money on tools, this is NOT one of those times. You can buy one for as little as ten dollars and at most twenty. The correct tools make working on cars enjoyable. Not having the right tools makes working on cars a PIA.
Regards,
Joe Dokes
Sometimes it's hard to spend money on tools, this is NOT one of those times. You can buy one for as little as ten dollars and at most twenty. The correct tools make working on cars enjoyable. Not having the right tools makes working on cars a PIA.
Regards,
Joe Dokes
95teetee
Well-Known Member
the key to that is "loosen nut holding steering wheel on so it is at the end of the shaft", and not 'remove nut completely'.
You only need to smack yourself in the forehead with a steering wheel once to learn that part
Johnny Dart
Well-Known Member
66plyValiant
Well-Known Member
buy a bolt type puller it doubles as a harmonic balancer puller, incase you like to do other work to your car as well
Divenut
Well-Known Member
the key to that is "loosen nut holding steering wheel on so it is at the end of the shaft", and not 'remove nut completely'.
You only need to smack yourself in the forehead with a steering wheel once to learn that part
LOL...good to know I'm not the only one that learned this part...too late. :banghead:
Dartman1969
69 Dart Frankenstein
the key to that is "loosen nut holding steering wheel on so it is at the end of the shaft", and not 'remove nut completely'.
You only need to smack yourself in the forehead with a steering wheel once to learn that part
When I was 16 my dad and I were at a wrecking yard picking up parts. He found a perfect steering wheel for his dart of course we had no wheel puller with us. I climb in the car (no interior) pull the horn ring and nut off then grab a hold of that wheel, braced my feet and pulled for all I was worth. Dad gives it a whack with the hammer and I damn near ended up in the trunk of that old dart.
~Michael
BillGrissom
Well-Known Member
My experience a few weeks ago. I figured what the heck, loosened the nut and beat on the shaft with a 1/2" socket wrench while I pulled up with my knees. Took time, but it worked. No hammer, but I had WD-40. At home, I always use a puller. They are real cheap.
Re finding a new steering wheel, a decent period correct one is very expensive (~$150.), that is why I had to get that JY one. There are some nice after-market ones (Barry Grant), but need adapters, which can be confusing.
66plyValiant
Well-Known Member
WOW is all I can say, remind me never to lend tools, I was always told tools aren't hammers
ops:I've made a few pullers over the years. First was a flywheel puller for Briggs and Straton.
A suitable piece of steel ( I use 3/4 square key steel ) With a couple of holes drilled through with correct spacing for the puller holes in the wheel. A couple of bolts or all thread and nuts.
A suitable piece of steel ( I use 3/4 square key steel ) With a couple of holes drilled through with correct spacing for the puller holes in the wheel. A couple of bolts or all thread and nuts.
abodyjoe
Well-Known Member
remove the nut.
use a wheel puller to get the wheel off..
depending on the wheel your going to you me need an adapter kit.
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use a wheel puller to get the wheel off..
depending on the wheel your going to you me need an adapter kit.
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OneOfMany
Well-Known Member
Great pics Joe. Coming from the toolman..................buy a puller and do it right.
Bulldozer
free ice cream sandwiches
my junkyard puller consisted of taking the nut off , putting both feet on the dash, and rocking the wheel side to side until i break something or the wheel comes off lol. im 6 and 0 to date. the last one was a tuff wheel and adapter off a ramcharger and no puller:banghead:my duster wheel came off with hardly any effort.buy a puller
green1
Well-Known Member
Loosen the nut to the top, brace your knees under it, move your head to the side, and smack it. Dealership techs do it.
tekslk
Well-Known Member
I borrowed one than my son made me one at tech school but I sean them at harbor freight for 15. Makes the job fun to do and you can use it on balencers and other things.
schluney
Well-Known Member
I've had luck with a tie rod end puller if you have one laying around if not I would recommend buying a steering wheel puller well worth it!!!
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