Homemade steering wheel puller

[Dallas]

I decided to change my steering wheel and after reading some threads on here I decided to make my own puller tool. I used a small pipe, a 3/4 bolt and nut, and two 1/2 bolts and nuts. I grinded of all but one side of the 1/2 bolts and used what was left to hook the wheel with. I welded the 3/4 nut to a hole I drilled. I drilled two small holes to put a nut on the 1/2 bolts with. After removing the horn button I loosened the center bolt and left it at the top of the threads to protect them. Hooked the bolts and turrned the 3/4 bolt until it was tight. I pushed my knees against the steering wheel and gave it another turn and it "popped" off. It worked great. I just thought I would share the pictures with you all.

[BQS4]

Very cool Dallas!!!

[GTJIM]

That puller is very much like the Factory one - just a note of caution ... the thread that holds the steering wheel on is VERY soft and can compress and be damaged even with the nut left on top. Best to use a socket or sleeve to transfer the forces down on to the shoulder below the thread. You seem to have got away with it but sometimes the steering wheel hub is extremely tight and damage occurs before you notice it (Don't ask!)

[David McCollam]

Hey Jim,

Any advice on trying to remove a Raid steering wheel adapter hub. It has no holes for a puller. I have a suggestion to use a large brass drift on the steering shaft and apply pressure with my knees to the back of the steering wheel while rapping on the drift centered on the steering shaft. A very iffy proposition, if you ask me.

dave

[GTJIM]

The GT steering column has a two piece construction with injected resin holding the two pieces together so it will collapse in a crash. Hitting it on the end will simply destroy the bond between the two bits and ruin it.
You have to make up a proper puller and make sure the forces are delivered to the should below the thread or destruction is inevitable.
You may even need to heat the boss a bit with a small propane torch.

[Anonymous D]

An OMC Tech Tip, comparing various Opel GT steering wheel pullers
(from the April 2006 issue of the OMC Blitz newsletter) has been posted online, for FREE.

It's here:

Electrical System

[kwilford]

a brief search finds:

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/3b-stee...el-puller.html

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/3b-stee...el-puller.html

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/3b-stee...ng-column.html

HTH

[kwilford]

Originally Posted by Anonymous D An OMC Tech Tip, comparing various Opel GT steering wheel pullers (from the April 2006 issue of the OMC Blitz newsletter) has been posted online, for FREE. It's here: Electrical System

VERY nice Tech Tip. Thanks Dave!

[Anonymous D]

The steering column tech tip, is just an example
of the quality level of the tech tips put out recently in the OMC Blitz.

Another example:

Opel GT Cooling System/Tune Up Part II
has also now been posted online (again, for FREE):

Cooling System

Additional OMC website upgrades will also happen
in the near future.

[David McCollam]

Thanks for the Blitz tech tip reference. After browsing a bit I found a confirmation of a thought that I've had forming.

The use of the gear puller under the edges of the hub might work. I will try using a 10mm deep socket over the threaded portion of the steering shaft and placing the puller fulcrum on that as opposed to the end of the shaft. With the jaws of the puller behind the hub it may offer enough leverage to pull the hub. I've conditioned the splines the PB Blaster in preparation for the operation. I will stop and get the gear puller on my way home this evening.

Dave

[namba209]

I was able to use a standard gear puller by modifying bolts like Dallas has with one minor change. I ground down the bolt heads to fit the shape of the oval in the hub. Then by turning the bolts 90 degrees you get pressure on both sides of the oval. Use the flat end adapter on the puller bolt, not the conical shaped one and definately leave the nut on the steering shaft, or as Jim said, use a socket over the threads to protect them and the soft shaft. Whatever method of puller you use extreme care is necessary.

[blancojp]

We bought a puller from NAPA for Euro cars, I believe it was $14.95 and it had two sets of bolts which fit the Opel hub.

[spamseptictank]

I found this puller on ebay a little while ago. I don't remember when. I kept the photo so I could make one of my own.
Dave

[soybean]

Originally Posted by blancojp We bought a puller from NAPA for Euro cars, I believe it was $14.95 and it had two sets of bolts which fit the Opel hub.

Do you by chance remember the Napa part nos? Thanks, Jarrell

[tekenaar]

Basically the same idea as post #1 but using a 'standard' wheel puller threaded center and slotted T-bar. Had used the photo below in several other 'steering wheel' related threads, but thought it worth posting it here to make it easier to find in "Search" . . .

I fabricated my 'Opel legs', based on FSM photos of the tool, by grinding the hex heads of two bolts into 'ears' . . .