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MG MGB Technical - 79 Steering wheel removal

I need to replace the turn signal switch on my 79B. This requires removal of the steering wheel since the switch housing needs to have the steering column go thru the center of it.

I've removed the nut in the wheel hub, but can't budge the wheel from the column. I assume I need some type of puller do get it off.

If anyone has experience with this, can you give me any pointers on how to remove it without damaging my wheel? If you have used a good puller, what is the name of the manufacturer?

It looks to me like the puller needs to go around the steering wheel hub isnce it can't go thru it (no holes).

Thanks for any help!

CH
Chet Harter

Try "walking" the wheel back and forth and pulling
back on it at the same time. If this doesn't
work (didn't for me once)

I used this modified technique from the archives.
Get some 3 or 4 inch clamps and a crescent wrench.
Put the nut back on the column threads and spin on
until it's flush with the top. Put a socket slightly
larger than the shaft on top of the nut.

Place the handle of the large crescent wrench so
that its squarely on the socket, and clamp to
the wheel (position the part of the clamp
without threads in the two back recesses of
the wheel.)

You may have to leave this torture apparatus
on for a while, and waggle the wheel back and
forth a bit, but it should come off with a
satisfying crack.
Ronald

I havent done this on a 79, but I removed the wheel from my 69B in the manner described by John Twist. He recommends doing this with two people, but I was able to do it by myself, as follows:
Loosen the nut, back it off to end so the threads are covered. Grab the wheel, pull backwards while a helper uses two hammers to give the center of the nut a few sharp whacks. I did this by myself by wedging my knees up behind the wheel and using my back and legs to apply pressure. Then, while holding the lead knock off hammer firmly against the wheel nut with one hand, I used a large ball pein hammer and struck the lead hammer several times. The wheel came loose fairly easily.
Andrew Blackley

I'm embarrassed to say it, but I tried both of these suggested techniques, but neither would budge the wheel. I really thought they would work. I even tried hitting the center of the crescent wrench with a hammer.

I ended up removing the steering column, hammering the wheel from the shaft, then replacing the column. Seems like a lot of work, but it wasn't too bad.

Thanks to both of you for the suggestions!

CH
Chet Harter

Chet. I was visiting friends who are professional mechanics, when they were trying to remove a steering wheel. They also had to remove the steering column from the car. They then used a hydraulic press to try to remove the steering wheel. The steering wheel was damaged in the process and they replaced it with a similar used unit. You have just gone through a "worst case senario" and managed to handle it. Congratulations on your fine job. Not everyone could have done it. My only suggestion would be to throughtly clean the splines on the steering column and the steering wheel, then use anti-seize on them so that you will not have a similar problem in the future. Once again, "you done good" and should be very proud of what you have accomplished. Les
Les Bengtson

On a cautionary note you should know that the column is designed to telescope or collapse in the event of an accident. The nylon lugs which are used to keep the the inner and outer columns rigid in every day use can be broken by too much hammering and the result is that you have to find a new column. Happened to me once.
Marc

This thread was discussed between 13/04/2002 and 15/04/2002

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