Steering wheel removal
 

Hi All,


My first post, just wanting to say Hello and ask for some help.

I joined this site because I just picked up a 79 vintage 1200. It's in pretty good overall shape and I could some help getting it ready to cut the 2+ acres of "lawn" the wife says needs mowing from time too time.


I have torn the machine down for some repairs, mods and paint, but the steering wheel refuses to come off, Wheel pullers, blaster soak, B.F.H. beating, did not work, what am I missing? All the other nuts, screws, bolts and what-nots on the tractor all came off with ease even the foot plate-mounting screws came out with out a blaster or WD40 soak.

I'm only the third owner. The second owner, who passed way 4 years ago and had it most of its life, (30 years or so), according to his son who I bought it from, keep it inside. Its been unused in the last 4 years and store inside its whole life. It has been fairly well cared for over the years.


The wheel's got me stumped, if it wasn't plastic I take a torch to it, in fact I just may do that yet!!!


Thanks for any help and letting my vent after letting a old steering wheel get the best of me tonight.



Bob

Hi and welcome! I also have a 79 1200 and the steering wheel can be a bear to remove! Repeated soaking with either pb blaster or my fave kroil oil and lots of patients! Here are some links that may help you out.

http://onlycubcadets.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2819

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=5772

Bob :Welcome2:

The links will get you in the right direction.

What part of NC are you in? I'm in Statesville. We've got many from NC here.

I took the bearings and what not out of the box , set it on 2 blocks of wood and gave it a good smack. it fell right out. but had been socking in PB blaster for a few days.

Patience and PB will solve a lot of issues :-).

Congrats!

John

If you've got enough room between the dash and the wheel, something like this is probably your best bet. This has removed several steering wheels that no amount of pounding would. It's a block of oak sawn in half lengthwise, with a hole large enough for the steering wheel hub in it. There needs to be a thick piece of metal between the puller bolt and the steering box shaft so the end doesn't get destroyed.

Attachment 25148

My 1200 that has been garage kept its whole life wouldnt let its steering wheel go either. When i went to remove the 1000 steering wheel it came right off, and that tractor sat outside its whole life before i got it.

Thanks all for your suggestions, they are much appreciated.

I going to try them and keep working and soaking with Pb blaster for a few more days. Hopefully I still have my hair left before the wheel comes off, been pulling on them too. Hard to believe something as simple as a steering wheel could give me this hard of a time!


Matt, I hate to have to build something like that for a one time (hopefully) use, but if the others don't work, I got some oak.


I now call home Pilot Mountain, N.C. just outside of town by a mile or so. Lived down here 14 years now. I like the south, pretty country, great friendly people and great weather. God I love the winters here, just enough snow too remind you how much of an adversary it can be.


Born and lived in upstate N.Y.(over 40 years), In the Snowbelt areas, where snowfall is measured in feet not inches!


I'll let "you-all" (that's southern) know when I finally win the fight with the steering wheel.


Bob

After a 3 two 4 day soak with PB blaster, nothing, would not come off, soooo:

I got out a oak board, saws and drill and built a puller like Matt has pictured.

Two minutes later a pop and off she comes.

Thanks Matt :beer2:


Bob

Welcome from over near the triangle.... and congrats

John