The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Sterring Wheel Puller

Hi Bolters. Can any of you recommend a specific puller to get the steering wheel off a 1950 Chevy AD pick up?

Is there something unique about your steering wheel that your average puller won't work?
The puller I have (from AutoZone or Kragen, don't remember) came with 3 sets of different size bolts to thread into a wheel.
I've only ever needed one set for GM cars/trucks. The other 2 sets provided might be for Ford and Dodge, don't know.
-David
Kustoms-and-Sleds

"Is there something unique about your steering wheel that your average puller won't work?"

Well, uhhh - maybe he doesn't HAVE an average puller? And maybe he's never done this before? If this stuff is innate, I missed out somehow.

The fact that kthomas used the verbage "puller" led me to believe he realized there was such a thing as a steering wheel puller.
My question was an honest one. I don't have a 1950 Chevy truck. Maybe there's no threaded holes for your "average" puller on a 1950 Chevy truck, how do I know? That's why I asked.
My reply was a sincere attempt to help by suggesting that most likely a puller such as the one I purchased would work.

kthomas, if you had the same reaction to my reply, sorry, it certainly was not my intention to sound condescending.

jgalt, ya got me all wrong, man.

I've got a Lisle brand harmonic balancer puller, their part #45500. It is a nice,heavy duty,USA made puller that works great on the steering wheel along with the balancer, crankshaft gear,etc. Comes with several different SAE and metric bolts and you can get it at many parts stores for between 20 and 30 bucks.I think I got mine at Farm And Fleet. Those cheap Taiwan ones last about one or two pulls before they're all bent up.

kthomas, i pulled my wheel off my 54 by putting my knees under the wheel, after looseing the nut just above the threads and tapping the nut with a hammer, i have changed the wheel a couple of times the same way. you use your knees for tension on the wheel. this is kinda like taking off a tie rod end. hope this saves you from buying a tool you may use once or twice. ron

mugsy,

I'm sorry about jumping on your post, I really misunderstood your intent. I'll be more careful in future posts.

I've been razzed for my 'dumb' questions on another forum recently (NOT Stovebolt), and it made me a bit intolerant of this kind of stuff I guess.

jgalt

I bought a harmonic balancer puller at my FLAPS for $12.00, and used it to pull the HB. When I pulled the stearing wheel off of my 50, I squirted it with Kroil, came back the next day and it pulled off by hand.

jgalt,
Not a problem. I'm a firm believer in "The only stupid question is the one that doesn't get asked".
It wasn't that long ago that I didn't even know how to change points. Many things I had to figure out on my own 'cause I had no one to show me or teach me and I wasn't aware of this here website. So I definitely keep that in mind.
That's one of the best things about this forum, is everybody's willing to help regardless of experience level.
I'm no expert on anything but, I know a little about a lot of things and I'll always try to help if I can.

So, kthomas, you figure that steering wheel out yet?

-David

Geez, I know the question seemed so simple, why ask! As for some that replied, I didn't start working on these trucks lastnight. Over the past 15 years, I have owned / repaired / worked on 6 AD Chevy trucks. And yes, between older friends who had these old vehicles years ago teaching me tricks of the trade, and my own experience with them, I have gained some valuable knowledge over the years. And yes, I do know how to set points thank you. I just thought I would see if anyone had better luck with one brand or another.
Thanks to those who replied without questioning my intelligence.

Man o man, it's the thread that went awry.
The changing points sentence was not directed at you, kthomas. None of that was directed at you. I was just making a point that I'd never intentionally be mean to anybody.
I didn't assume one way or the other about your experience or your intelligence. Because you used the word, puller, I figured that you knew a tool existed and I was confused. I didn't know what you were going for with your question and that's why I asked my original question and relayed my experience with the puller I purchased.
One can never assume the experience level via a forum. Context and actual meaning is too often lost thru typing.

There, is my foot out of mouth now or did I say something else to [censored] somebody off?

OK! Everybody take a deep breath and relax. I didn't read any of these posts as questioning anybody's intelligence. Like Mugsy said, it's really hard to get somebody's full meaning when all you see is what is typed. Face and body language as well as tone of voice add a lot to our communications.

JGalt, where's that other forum? Let's all go over there and flame a few jerks to let off steam.

No, just kidding. I don't like getting into [censored] contests. This is why I stick with the stovebolt. It's much friendlier here.

And for what it's worth, I know the theory of how to pull a wheel, but I've never done it yet. I would just get out the various pullers in my toolbox and see what I can figure out. Bolts thread into the wheel you say? Mighty kind of them to provide those. It beats the heck out of maiming the plastic with a hook.

KT, come on up to my place, we'll use a few beers for lubrication and have that sucker off in no time.

Ok, enough is enough! Sorry I got a bit testy. Like BradB said, computers are so impersonal. I should have worded the question differently. Maybe that would have avoided the confusion, and eliminated some of the replies that seemed to say, "wow how stupid is this guy"? It's just that many of you bolties have given some valuable tips based on your experience. I like to ask every once in a while. I have worked on a lot of old Chevy's, but you can always learn from other bolters. Needless to say, the wheel is off. I didn't use a wheel puller. Sorry again for taking some of the replies the wrong way.
KT

This is where I usually throw in a joke. I thought of a real good one too. But, somehow I don't think you guys can take it.
It is very hard to recognize intention in a casually written post on the internet.

Dang, I am still smiling from the joke I was gonna make.

Back to the topic at hand. I made one out of a couple of pieces of 3/4" plywood and a couple of long enough stovebolts. One bigger bolt and nut in the center of the top piece to push against the shaft. Used it one time in 20 years and no expense, works for me.

kthomas:

I went to Autozone and borrowed a puller from them. I just told the guy what I was wanting to do and they lent me the correct puller. Good luck!