Aircooled Engineering 101

[Eugene]

Ok, so I am no engineering genius by any stretch of the imagination but here is how I solved the age old problem of removing a Bus steering wheel...that notoriously difficult item on everybody's list. Some background. As you know, it seems, once they are on, they want to stay on. Seen lot's of "How to's", from boiling water, blow torches, using over-sized socket to moer the base and letting the steering wheel miraculously dislodge itself You cannot just slap a puller on there as it WILL damage the steering wheel...There are evidence of previous attempts
I got my inspiration from a guy who used a wheel bearing removal kit but seeing that it was not available and I was not going to buy one just for this, I decided to try and build one. I already removed the horn button and loosened the nut. Also removed the indicator stalk assembly. Replace the nut as indicated , so as to not damage the shaft.


Blank canvas, SS plate that happened to lie around.
Step 1 was to drill 40mm hole with hole saw. Outer diameter was 80mm and then I cut a section of 38mm to slide it over the shaft. all measurements are here. I used the preferred forum tool, the angle grinder, to cut the outer edge and smooth it over


Step 3, slide the "tool" over the shaft under the steering wheel





Step 4, place the hole saw cutout, from step 1, over the nut as a further step to prevent damage



Step 5, use 3 arm puller to remove the sticky part.



It took me around 30 min to make the plate and remove the steering wheel. Hope this helps somebody

[Eugene]

If you have DIY fixes, tips or tricks, please post here.

[AlanH]

Did the same with my Westy steering wheel. Also previous attempt visible.
I filed them slightly bigger and filler the cracks with body putty and sanded down. Now it's only a question of painting and it's like new.

[fig]

Instead of making a plate for the puller to pull against, I've found an open 36mm spanner does the job just as well.

[Eugene]

.....I've found an open 36mm spanner does the job just as well.

but there's no engineering in that

[fig]

.....I've found an open 36mm spanner does the job just as well.

but there's no engineering in that

haha. Probably a bit subtle for you Eugene, but finding new purposes for things to avoid engineering new solutions is a higher form of engineering.

[Eugene]

Ok, moving right along. Up next is a rather crude tool, manufactured by my pocket mechanic, Sakkie. Any guesses what it is for?

[Donovan D]

Steering push puller thingy

.... remember

[Eugene]

Steering push puller thingy

Yea, pitman arm puller....crude but works like a charm.