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My Christmas present to my wife this year was a nicely restored wheel for her car to replace the cracked and crumbling mess under a leather wrap. However when I look at trying to remove it, the shaft moves when you pull on it, probably 1/2 - 3/4". Never seen that on a car so I'm hesitant to pull on it. Anyone else pulled one off?
Malcomb,
You'll need a steering wheel puller. Harbor Freight has universal kits that are relatively inexpensive, but most of the auto parts chain stores (AutoZone, Advanced, O'Reillys, etc) have "loaner" kits for which you have to leave a deposit. They come with a variety of long bolts that thread into the wheel hub and the "H" style puller with a threaded "pusher" the applies force to the steering shaft once the securing nut is removed. Ensure that the steering wheels are straight before your remove and reinstall the wheel. Sometimes it helps to "rap" on the pressure bolt with a hammer once you have applied some pressure to the steering shaft. This helps jar the wheel loose from the shaft.
Feel free to call or email me at: 513.680.0520 or wrxprt14@gmail.com if you encounter any glitches.
Geoff Overley
Interesting. Are you using a conventional steering wheel puller?
I wonder if the outer column sleeve is too far up, resulting in the upper bearing also being too far up. That might allow some play on the shaft.
If you're using a typical puller, it would be pushing on the shaft while pulling on the hub of the wheel. The movement shouldn't bother the removal of the steering wheel.
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
I've pulled a lot of these wheels and I use the Harbor Freight universal kit but because of the deep dishing of the wheel, I had to buy longer bolts than those provided. Notice the keyed slot in the shaft and corresponding key in the wheel spline and line them up or the wheel won't go on fully. dave
I'll swing by Harbor Freight on the way home and pick one up. Dave, I'll bet you can guess where I got this wheel 
I thought so, Malcom, but couldn't find my email records..did I suggest that you have the brass horn button and outer ring gold plated? its a stunning addition. You wad up a damp rag, turn the horn ring upside down with the wadded rag inside,
push down hard and twist to release the three hold-down legs. dave
A B&S small engine flywheel puller works great. It looks like a capital "H" about 4 inches high. Loosen the hub nut a bit, put 2 bolts through the gaps in the "H" and into the threaded holes in the steering wheel hub. I think these are 1/4-20 but not certain. Snug those down and unscrew the hub nut with an open end wrench. POP!
Have a nice day
Steve
