The "standard" old school puller/pusher technique was:
- sit in the driver's seat
- loosen the steering wheel/column nut a turn (or, maybe two)
- push up on the steering wheel with you legs
- cleanly strike on the top of the steering wheel column, to see if the wheel will "pop"upwards
It would be best to let your toothless assistant do this. He has nothing to lose.
