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MG MGB Technical - 70 MGB Steering Wheel

I'm trying to remove the steering wheel of my 1970 MGB. I'm stymied by the first step. How do I remove the rubber steering motif in the center of the steering wheel? An old service manual refers to "grub screws" (?) that have to be removed. I've tried to pry off the rubber surround of the motif, but I'm worried about damage.

Can anyone help?

Thanks
Ewan

Ewan,
The big rubber thing has probably gotten stiff and acts like it doesn't want to come out. Grip it tightly, maybe with both hands, and try to pull and rock it back from the top, hopefully pulling the rubber lip out of the hub. Or, you could try a more refined method and try to pry the rubber lip out with an improvised plastic implement. Should come out, hopefully won't crack. Try soaking it it Armorall after you have it out to start the refurbishment. Best, Joe
Joe Ullman

OK, get yourself a popsicle stick, or better yet, one of those plastic stick thingies auto glass shops use. A million uses, and they'll probably give you one.
Point is, you want a non-marring prying device.
Now, pry the plastic center cap out of the rubber surround. The cap keeps the rubber surround under compression, and you'll NEVER get it off with that thing still there.

Now that the plastic piece is out, decide if you even WANT to remove the rubber surround. There's no good reason to, if you just want to remove the wheel, as the nut is now plainly visible.
Baxter

Isnt the 70 steering wheel the same as 71 and 72?
william fox

My "rubber" center piece comes right out, no problem with the MG motif left in. Suppose the motif is stubborn and needs to get pried? Any damage that gets done will be very plainly visible, and done to a fairly rare part. The black part has a divot in a part of it so it will go back onto the hub in the right spot, so the MG will be lined up the right way relative to the wheel spokes. It could be that it was put in the wrong way somewhere along the line and is "in wrong" now, sorta akin to crossed threads. Another idea would be to pry it away from the hub a bit and dribble some dish soap or soemthing in there to help lube its way out.

'70 spokes and rims are the same as '71s and '72s, but '70s have the horn push on the end of the turn signal stalk, so just a lovely MG motif in the center.
Wade Keene

Thanks for your suggestions. The rubber piece felt like it was attached mechanically and I thought I would damage it if I pryed too hard. Now that I know it is probably just stuck, I'll play around with some lubricant or penetrant to free it it.
Ewan

This thread was discussed between 13/06/2003 and 15/06/2003

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