Nova steering wheel removal ? ? ?

[kepla]

Trying to remove the steering wheel on a Vauxhall Nova - with no success ! We've tried the usual - one person pulls the steering wheel upwards very hard while another person hits the centre shaft with a big hammer - and it just won't budge. There aren't any holes in the centre boss so we could use a two-legged puller and the whole area is well covered with padded plastic - so we can't try expanding the boss by pouring boiling water over it ! Pretty much stuck as we can't work out what to try next. Anyone know what we should try next ?

[stanleyman]

Is there any advice in the manual? WD40 down the splines would help. I hope you are using a copperfaced hammer and with the nut loose but in place to avoid thread damage. Might be just stubborn and needs more effort. Try alternate sides pushing and pulling the wheel whilst hitting the shaft.

[kepla]

Thanks, Stanleyman. I'm using a metal drift as the nut is recessed quite deep into the wheel, and a 2lb engineer's hammer. Have applied WD40. Am wondering just how hard a belt I can dare to give the centre shaft without damaging the steering column or its bearings ? I do have the nut re-fitted loosely - level with the end of the shaft - to try to save the threads from damage.

[stanleyman]

It went on, it's got to come off, plastic explosives maybe? If you are using a large brass drift that fits well in the recess and doesn't need support then hit it as hard as you can with as much support on the wheel as you can.

[stanleyman]

Should add that one or two good smart hammer blows will be more effective and cause less damage than lots of little blows.

[kepla]

Okay, thanks. we used a bigger hammer and a drift which would locate in the 'dimple' at the end of the shaft. Also got the person pulling the wheel to stand outside the car, leaning in, so I could get a better swing at it with the hammer. Off it popped at the scond blow ! Put the new wheel on with a little 'copperslip' on the splines and taper so if there is a next time it won't be so difficult. Job done !

[stanleyman]

Well done, now you just have to see if it is straight!

[kepla]

See if its straight - lol ! Before we started we made sure the front wheels were pointing straight ahead and the old steering wheel dead straight. Very carefull during all the pulling and hammering not to turn the steering off centre - so no problem. Thanks.

[Murielmci]

A vauxhall nova - are you slumming it?

[kepla]

Slumming it ? No, not me ! That's what I say when I have to drive the Merc instead of the Jag - lol ! ! ! The nova is my son's car and is surprisingly good for a small cheap one - far, far better than the Corsa which came after it or anything from the land of the rising yen. He recently did a 1000-mile trip around Scotland using only 19 gallons of petrol. That's over 50 mpg. Excellent ! It is a surprisingly cheap and easy car to work on. I'd recommend one to anybody who doesn't have a mortal fear of spanners.