Steering wheel removal - frustrating

[flutes]

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.

[koan]

So this is annoying -

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

[GreaseMonkey]

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.

[oscar]

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.

[flutes]

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.

[nathan]

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

[TJ 450]

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

[WGB]

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

Bill

[flutes]

Um, steering lock?

[GreaseMonkey]

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

[flutes]

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

[nathan]

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!

[TJ 450]

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

Bill

Indeed, and I usually use my arm as a brace to lock the wheel.

It is a bit like "Groundhog Day". 

Tim

[flutes]

Right.  My lock = broken then, as the wheel keeps spinning.  I was using leverage on the socket wrench, and bracing the wheel at the same time to prevent it from spinning.

And Chris, yes, it does sound like Ground Hog day.

[koan]

Right.  My lock = broken then, as the wheel keeps spinning

Wouldn't use the lock to hold back the wheel if it did work anyway, too much torque required. It's a two man job, someone to hold the wheel and someone to heave on the tommy bar.

That's one of the reasons to have kids, they are on call assistance. Also when they are small they can get their hands in to tight places to retrieve dropped nuts etc., handy to have around

koan