I had he same problem on my 1282. I soaked it for a week, nothing. Had my son and 4 of his friends pull while I beat on it....still nothing! I bought a puller from my Snap-On dealer (90 Bucks)
and it came right off. But like yours, it sounded like a gunshot when it popped!! I coated the shaft with Never-Seize before I put the steering wheel back on.