Register now to get rid of these ads!

Technical trick to get an F1 steering wheel off?

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by 28fordroadster, May 2, 2023.

  1. 28fordroadster
    Joined: Apr 14, 2010
    Posts: 72

    28fordroadster
    Member

    What have you guys tried to remove an F1 wheel?
     
  2. Doublepumper
    Joined: Jun 26, 2016
    Posts: 1,804

    Doublepumper
    Member
    from WA-OR, USA

    Usually there are two tapped holes in the hub for using bolts and a puller. If there are no holes you may want to consider drilling and tapping a couple 5/16" holes in the hub. Sometimes they can be removed by smacking them with your hands...I wouldn't recommend it as you can crack the wheel. Good luck!
     
  3. Marty Strode
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 9,682

    Marty Strode
    Member

    And you can get a headache when the wheel comes loose and hits you in the forehead.
     
    Cooon, Outback, olscrounger and 5 others like this.
  4. deathrowdave
    Joined: May 27, 2014
    Posts: 5,025

    deathrowdave
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from NKy

    Correct way is with the correct puller , it looks similar to a large c clamp part fits under the wheel with special sized jigs to match the wheel surface and not damage it . Tighten the center bolt against the shaft and off it comes . I purchased a NOS puller years ago for 5.00 . The seller only requested “ it’s yours , now explain what it’s used for “
     
    Cooon, Outback and David Gersic like this.
  5. nochop
    Joined: Nov 13, 2005
    Posts: 4,573

    nochop
    Member
    from norcal

  6. lostone
    Joined: Oct 13, 2013
    Posts: 3,560

    lostone
    Member
    from kansas

    This works sometimes when a puller isn't around (junkyard finds).

    Take horn ****on ***embly apart and back nut off until it's flush with the shaft. Now this part takes 2 people. One guy sits in the seat and pulls up on the steering wheel, second guy takes a large punch and a hammer and smacks the end of the shaft hard and smartly.

    I've removed several this way and usually 3 smacks or less. BTW the nut keeps the guy in the seat from smacking himself in the face with the steering wheel and protects the end of the shaft.


    YMMV.....

    ..
     
    Cooon, Outback, Hotrodmyk and 3 others like this.
  7. 28fordroadster
    Joined: Apr 14, 2010
    Posts: 72

    28fordroadster
    Member

    F1 does not have the threaded holes to use a puller
     
    Country Joe and deathrowdave like this.
  8. Larry Anderson
    Joined: Jul 15, 2013
    Posts: 317

    Larry Anderson
    Member

    Forgot what site I was on and thought you were referring to Formula 1. My bad.
     
  9. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 15,271

    Budget36
    Member

    Word of caution, but back the nut off a few turns (not for the wheel flying off) so you don’t mushroom the end of the shaft. I have a large puller I use, the end “spins” and fits over the nut (why I leave the nut on and jut backed off to not have any threads exposed).
    I tighten down, smack the nut on the puller (where it’s tightened from). If it doesn’t pop, tighten a bit more. Keep repeating until it “pops” loose.
    Newer stuff comes off without a hammer blow or two. Old stuff I have to work at a bit more.
    As mentioned if no tapped holes, put two in 180 apart from the center of the shaft.
     
    banjorear likes this.
  10. banjorear
    Joined: Jul 30, 2004
    Posts: 4,784

    banjorear
    Member


    You can drill and tap two holes in the hub to use a modern puller on it. I have a vintage Snap On Ford wheel puller tool that has yokes that go under the wheel. If I didn't loan it out already, I would offer to loan it to you.

    Good luck. They can be a bear at times, but drilling and tapping method works too.
     
  11. Bob Lowry
    Joined: Jan 19, 2020
    Posts: 1,601

    Bob Lowry

    Yep, have always used this method. Put my two knees down at the bottom of the wheel and push up. Take
    one free hand and pull on the top of the wheel, and the rap the nut with a large hammer. Never hurt a wheel
    or threads.

    I always use anti-seize when I re-install the steering wheel on the threads and spline. Bob
     
  12. Phil P
    Joined: Jan 1, 2018
    Posts: 542

    Phil P
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I've used the knees under the wheel method but used my air hammer.

    Phil
     
    Bob Lowry likes this.
  13. deathrowdave
    Joined: May 27, 2014
    Posts: 5,025

    deathrowdave
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from NKy

    Correct early Ford style 44D56A5D-A796-4946-B560-8D1734D49984.png steering wheel puller
     
    Deuces and Mike Miller like this.
  14. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,618

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    Old pal (RIP) Johnny Dugan was a stout little dude, tough as his name. He and I went to Tex's Auto Wreckers (San Jose, CA) to get a steering wheel for his 'new' F1.
    We found a '51 F1, removed horn ****on, loosened nut. Johnny sat in drivers seat, said "Watch it, Mike..."
    I 'watched it', as he planted both feet on the toe board, pulled up on right, then on left...both hands on the wheel. I doubted, then wheel came up 1/4" with a "Pop!"
    Johnny literally 'Pulled the steering wheel'.
     
  15. 28fordroadster
    Joined: Apr 14, 2010
    Posts: 72

    28fordroadster
    Member

    we wound up cutting a piece of tube, cut a notch in it and used a 3 finger puller. It bugged up the whell but that didn't matter to me. If I wanted to save the wheel I would have drilled and tapped the 5/16 holes anf used the conventional puller
    Thanks for all the responses!
     
    Outback likes this.
  16. FlatJan
    Joined: Dec 13, 2013
    Posts: 323

    FlatJan

    Made this myself out of a piece of flat iron..10min job
    just turn the bolts equally in and wheel comes off.
    but take off nut first ;)
     

    Attached Files:

    Outback likes this.
  17. jaracer
    Joined: Oct 4, 2008
    Posts: 3,038

    jaracer
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I worked at a dealership with a small guy who could pull a steering wheel by hand. He did the left/right method. He told me he could feel it move just the slightest amount and then he would pull on the other side.
     
  18. Do you mean one should not be able to do that?? Dang, I didn't know. Just did not have a puller.

    Ben
     
  19. Los_Control
    Joined: Oct 7, 2016
    Posts: 1,182

    Los_Control
    Member
    from TX

    A bearing splitter works pretty good .... $35 from harbor freight, handy to have around.


    [​IMG]
     
  20. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 15,271

    Budget36
    Member

    Never ******ed up the threads with the nut off? I always just back the nut off a few turns, let my puller do it’s thing on the nut.
     
  21. FlatJan
    Joined: Dec 13, 2013
    Posts: 323

    FlatJan

    no, not till now, but my steering wheel hasn't been sitting for 30+years on the shaft so comes off hard, but not 30+ years hard.
    not sure if you can screw the bolts in when the nut is on, but leaving it on if possible is a good idea.
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.