GT Steering Wheel puller in SoCal?

[Silver Bean]

Hi All,

After owning my GT since 1984 I finally have to rebuild the ignition switch - which involves pulling the steering wheel.

I'm wondering if any Opel owners in the Los Angeles area might have an appropriate steering wheel puller that I can borrow/rent? I'd much rather spend some $$ on meeting another Opel fan than purchasing a tool I will use only one time!

Thanks.
GR

[Phoenix]

It's a pain to pull the wheel, sometimes you just booger up the splines on that hold it on. It's much easier just to remove the 6 bolts that hold it to the center hub.

[Anonymous D]

You can use a common steering wheel puller, so long as you have special Opel-compatible puller bits. Details on constructing or acquiring those is at:

www.opelclub.com/SteeringColumnApr2006.pdf

[Silver Bean]

Thanks for the information. I have read the Steering Column article noted above - lots of great information in there.

Phoenix: I'm pulling the steering wheel because I need to take out my ignition switch and have it rebuilt. From your experience if I remove it by taking out the six bolts you mention can I still get the steering column apart and remove the ignition switch?

Thanks.

[First opel 1981]

Originally Posted by Silver Bean Thanks for the information. I have read the Steering Column article noted above - lots of great information in there. Phoenix: I'm pulling the steering wheel because I need to take out my ignition switch and have it rebuilt. From your experience if I remove it by taking out the six bolts you mention can I still get the steering column apart and remove the ignition switch? Thanks.

I can answer that question. No, removing the six bolts won't give you access to the ignition switch. You have to remove the steering wheel hub to do that.

You can get a generic steering wheel puller from Harbor Freight for about $13 and it may or may not need different threaded bolts to pull the wheel.

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

[matl59]

Head down to your local auto parts store and check out their generic steering wheel puller. They generally come with multiple styles of pulling studs. I believe mine came from Auto Zone and has several different sized bolts for various configurations along with the hook shaped ones required for getting the wheel off my GT. That hook style puller isn't Opel specific so it shouldn't be too hard to find.

Good Luck

[Silver Bean]

Thanks for the info everybody. I've ordered a K-B steering puller that has the correct bits and will be tackling the job as soon as it arrives.

Happy Opeling!

[hrcollinsjr]

Silver Bean in LA. I thought I saw you in Chicago awhile back.

There's at least one in every crowd, just ignore me.

Harold
P.S. The spline on the end of the steering column is relatively soft so even though you are using a puller be careful. Good Luck!

[heimue]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr The spline on the end of the steering column is relatively soft so even though you are using a puller be careful. Good Luck!

... and leave the nut on the threads, just remove it halfway from the threads so there is a recessed area inside the nut where to place the center of the puller. This way it's almost impossible for the center to come lose and damage the threads.

Dieter

[GTJIM]

Don't wind the puller against the end of the thread - the metal in the steering column is so soft that it just compresses and the threads are kaput.

You must use a sleeve to transfer the force down on to the shoulder above the splines - a suitable socket may fit but needs to have clearance for the threads inside. Just make sure that the socket is not pulled down into the soft metal splines of the hub too.

That hub can be real tight and a bit of heat on it from a Bernzomatic propane plumbers torch - or similar - will help removal.

One 'whack' on the end of the puller, transferred to the column, will damage the collapsible link inside it lower down (the two piece column is filled with some sort of resin that collapses in an accident).
So no hitting either!

[First opel 1981]

Originally Posted by GTJIM Don't wind the puller against the end of the thread - the metal in the steering column is so soft that it just compresses and the threads are kaput.

Oh, and did anyone mention that the metal in the end of the steering column is SOFT!

Seriously soft. Any softer and it could be confused with lead. No, I'm NOT kidding.