So my old wheel was looking pretty old and tired, so I got myself a pretty new steering wheel.

I brought it home, removed the old wheel easily enough, and cracked open the centre to expose the centre bolt, which also came off easy enough...and now I'm stuck! For the life of my I can't get the old boss/mount off the steering column. Am I missing something? Could I be facing the scary prospect that the previous owner has attached the mount with glue? Here's a pic as to where I am now, please help!



Edit: Just dropping a note now, will post a proper add shortly once the car is properly reassembled and cleaned up. Soon I'll be listing my 998cc Mini clubman for sale in the Sydney area.

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1978 Mini Clubman 998cc...for now

You need to use a Puller. Wind the nut back on, then use the puller to release the boss. The reason you put the nut back on just a little bit is so the boss doesn't pop of and hit you in the face.

Good luck
Ryan

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Ryan Filippi
Minis In The Gong
[email protected]
www.minisinthegong.com.au

Or wack your old wheel back onto the boss, crack the nut but leave it wound on the thread a few turns. Get your knees under the bottom of the wheel and grab the top sides of the wheel, then pull towards yourself and push with your knees. It will go "pop"when it releases. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE NUT ON THERE!!!!!

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

block of wood and a hammer from underneath might work too

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

When a first year apprentice I recall hitting myself in the face with a steering wheel Not a nice feeling....

Dicko

Ah that explains it!

Tap the back of the boss with a hammer - I've done it before and after a couple of blows it came off - I suggest doing what every one else has recommended and leaving the nut on there a few turns.

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

Then if none of that works-put your "butchers apron" on and......

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...fire up the Gas Axe

Gas axe handy for working on Minis- as in parting out `scrubby Clubby'-

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

A trick that I was taught when I was working in a wrecking yard was to loosten the nut and thump downwards on the outer rim of the steering wheel. You just slap down on both sides in sequence just like bashing the bongo drums.

It sounds all wrong but it works. I never used a puller on a steering wheel after I learned that trick.

Now because this one is just the aluminum boss I would just get the heat gun onto the boss to expand it loose.

thanks for the tips guys, am about to go have another go now (just took the missus out to dinner). I'm glad I checked here first, was going to try whacking it with a hammer, but hadn't thoughts about the centre nut. You guys might have just saved me a broken nose .

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1978 Mini Clubman 998cc...for now

I dare say so!!! Cant imagine it being a nice feeling!

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

Then when pulling towards you wiggle the s/wheel side to side with some force and it should come off the splines quite easily. Also a sqirt of wd40, rp7, inox, etc where the splines are in the centre of the boss may help too.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMkVq1jRGU