W116.org

So this is annoying - finally got the time at the weekend to put Nathan's "new" steering wheel on but couldn't budge the nut holding the old one.  My socket set just doesn't have enough leverage.  Searched the house for piping that could extend it, but no luck.  (Which is probably a good thing, I just would have broken something)

So it's off to the mechanic's we go.

I had some trouble undoing the rear mounting bolts of the diff, bent my 1/2 drive tommy bar with the pipe extension.

Went out and bought a 3/4 tommy bar and socket, the bolts loosened very easily.

Going from 1/2 to 3/4 makes a lot of jobs much easier, it's not the extra length of the bar that makes the difference, it's something magic like trying to undo wood screws with a stubby screwdriver versus a long handled screwdriver.

Can I suggest you buy a 3/4 tommy bar and socket, probably need an extension for the steering wheel nut, it will do the job. Very useful, and buy 3/4 sockets as needed.

koan

Yeah, they do need a bit of leverage, but it helps to have someone hold the steering wheel tight.
I would not like to guess what could break if you don't. I had the same problem with a 107 SLC and took it to my trusted mechanic, he had the knack and made it look easy.
Chris M.

I reckon get a ratchet gun flutes. 

Same thing happened to me trying to get mine off the first time.  Used extension bars and thought the wheel might have been welded on  . Bought a cheap air powered vrrr, vrrr ratchet gun from supercheap and the nut came off in less than a second.  Beware though, you get what you pay for.  That sub $50 gun was thrown out long ago but I've noticed at race meets some folk using cordless electric ratchet guns which look way more practical.  I suppose the same rule applies still...you get what you pay for.  But if you haven't got an air compressor, an elec corldess one is what I'd buy.

That's what I'm thinking Oscar - use an air powered one at a garage.

I'll have to look into getting my own but I wasn't aware you could get electric ones - I thought you had to have the air compressor.

Have you tried losening the nut and then putting another nut over it so you don't damage the spline and then give it a few hits with a 10lb hammer.

That would work on the same principles of the ratchet gun (rattling it and vibrating it off)

Michel will that work if I can't budge the original nut at all?

It might work...
But.... did you spray some WD40 first?

im with Michel here. as a wise old (umm) WGB once said, always put some crc/wd40 on overnight before u attack these things. then just buy a 10 dollar breaker bar and im sure it will pop off. either that or u will slip and smash your window but i hope the wheel comes off!
otherwise, drive it down to melbourne and me and koan will have a go

The key is to get the leverage to crack it off without breaking the steering lock.

It should be do-able, it's just a matter of getting the knack of it.

Tim

TJ - I always disengage the steering wheel lock and use that large wheel and a large breaker bar as the two leverage points.

Bill

Um, steering lock?

Anyone remember the Bill Murray movie - 'Groundhog Day'?
 The plot was a lot like this post.
Chris M.

Chris - I'm serious.  Didn't know these cars had a steering lock - mine must already be broken.

flutes,
so when you crank up the leverage on your wheel, does it just keep spinning? obviously it should lock (assuming the keys is off) after a small amount of travel. otherwise it will be impossible to take off the wheel as the thing will keep spinning!