MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Steering Wheel Removal Tips ?

I've been round a friends house today, for three hours, trying to remove the steering wheel on a '77 ex USA B......With no success.

He wants to change the wheel for another, that he's already bought, otherwise I think he would've given up.

Is there anyone with any "secret" method. We even resorted to staring at it harsely and finally stern will power, but no joy with anything.

Are we missing something ?

Graham

Hi Graham
Loosen the column nut a couple of turns and sitting in the driver's seat grab the wheel by the rim at the 9 o'clock position and pull hard towards you with your left arm, repeat this with you right arm at the 3 o'clock position, keep repeating this back and fro quite hard and the wheel will come off, or at least it always has for me :)
Cheers
Ron
R. Algie

This is John Twist's method.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwf2BDC5DMo
Dave O'Neill2

Thanks Ron and Dave, but we've tried both methods and it's just not moving at all.

After three hours we decided we were beaten for the day, but went away vowing to find another method that "might" work.
Graham

Graham
Try this
Undo the nut a few of turns
Sit in the seat
grab the wheel at 3 - 9 o'clock positions
push on the left and pull on the right at the same time
then the other way pull on the left and push on the right
do this several times as violently as possible
then it should just pull off - up to the nut anyway
Works for me Willy

PS Don't hammer on the end of the shaft as it will collapse the column-------
William Revit

I just used a simple 3 arm hub puller worked fine on my 1980 MGB - Willy is correct the shaft is collapsable and hammering can do damage
Paul
P D Camp

I agree with William and Paul, do not hammer the steering column. (John Twist is way off on this one.)

Use a hub puller as Paul suggested.
Steven 67GT

A hub puller can distort the wheel centre, which maybe an issue when you want to reuse/sell it.

The first time I removed either of mine I used very similar to John Twists method. However I only slackened the nut a turn or two, and used the ball of a ball pein hammer in a convenient dimple on the end of the shaft, so there was no impact on the nut to damage the threads. Also by bracing ones knees behind the wheel rim, as Twist states, there is no chance of a sharp sudden impact collapsing the column. However I didn't need an assistant as with two knees and two hands I didn't think I needed one.

Subsequently I have been able to 'rock' the wheel off, but even then it needed a lot of effort with the wheel and column bending quite a bit. If it's not been off in years I can quite imagine that method won't work.

Whichever method you use, perhaps puller excepted, never remove the nut until the wheel is loose or you can get a face-full.
PaulH Solihull

Thanks to all for the input.

Part 2 of the saga is Tuesday morning.
Graham

Just returned after todays efforts.

It's been soaked in releasing agent for a day and then heaved in every direction possible........

We used the three leg puller method and have had no success at all.

It's so solid, there's not even been 1/16" of movement.

It doesn't matter about the state of the wheel afterwards, as it's for the bin anyway, but it would be good to be able to change the wheel.

Signed "Desperate of SW France"

PS All that's left is the Samaritans now.
Graham

I had the same problem. In the end I drilled the old wheel close to the splines with a small drill bit. That released it. The old wheel was going to be ditched so no great loss.

David
D Beatty

Drilling the boss sounds like a plan. I took the column out so I could get it in a vice and use force without shearing the plastic rivets.
Allan Reeling

I have to concur with the last two posts. Unfortunately, I had the same problem wanted to change the steering wheel, thinking it would be simple. It was a nightmare. I even called in a 'Jaguar' specialist mobile mechanic ( he was the only classic car person in the area at the time.) he worked on it for at least an hour, gave up, and did not charge me!I resorted to cutting the wheel off. Shame but there you go. MIKE
J.M. Doust

Hello,

I succeed easily using a heat gun on steering wheel center + shaft.

Cheers,

Jean G.


P.S. You could easily fabricate a heat shield with an Al pie pan to avoid heating surroundings
Jean Guy Catford

Hi,
Since the steering wheel was installed on the steering column (a long time ago!) some oxidation happens between the aluminum hub and the steering column, this is as strong as a weld.
You have to penetrate the oil in the oxidation.
There must be 2 or 3 times a day a few drops of penetrating oil (Transyl or WD40) on the hub until the oil comes out the other side of the hub, then remove steering with a hand puller.
This is how I solved the problem after two weeks on my MGB...
Rgds
RemiB

The owner has decided on the "drill close to the splines" method, which will be taking place on the next visit.

Thanks to you all for your input.....Watch this space.

RemiB:
Vous etes ou ?
Nous sommes en Charente, a cote d'Angouleme. Visitez-vous le Circuit des Remparts, en septembre avec votre B, car nous sommes dans le club MG en Charente et pour l'anniversaire de B, j'espere que il y a beaucoup la.
Graham

Friend has just phoned to say that after cutting off all the plastic from the purchase points of the "puller", then drilling all around and continually soaking with WD40, for a day.............Good News, it's finally off.

He says that within half an hour the new wheel was on.

Lessons learnt, for future reference.
1) Continually soak with releasing agent, well before attempting to remove the wheel.
2) Don't expect a "two minute job" to be just two minutes.
3) Buy a car with the steering wheel you want, already fitted.
4) Get drink in to celebrate when the wheel comes off.

Seriously though, thankyou to all for your suggestions, as it was only achieved, by a combination of all the ideas.


Graham


Graham
Je suis à Orléans et j'ai été au Circuit des Remparts en 2010.
I'll send you a message when my MGB friends and I'll decide to go there in september.
Regards
RemiB

This thread was discussed between 14/01/2012 and 23/01/2012

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.