Cub Cadet 126 Steering Wheel

[Jonah Close]

Ive just about tried everything trying to get this steering wheel off but it just wont budge. Do you guys have any ideas?

I do have several pullers but they all risk the possibility of destroying the steering wheel.

Thanks! Any help is appreciated.

[cubs-n-bxrs]

Try hitting the bottom side of the wheel spokes with a dead blow hammer or a piece of 2x4 or somthing of that nature. Them particular wheels are really tough to put a puller on because of the bottom being tapered down to a fine edge. Pullers really tear them up. Others have had luck putting there knees under the steering wheel and pushing up. Install nut back on threads making sure no shaft threads are exposed and tap on nut while pushing up with knees. Good luck

[CADplans]

Originally Posted by cubs-n-bxrs

Others have had luck putting there knees under the steering wheel and pushing up. Install nut back on threads making sure no shaft threads are exposed and tap on nut while pushing up with knees. Good luck

I have never had that method fail, the bigger the hammer,,,,,, ,,,,, the better.

4 pounds is a nice round number, but, I have used 8,,,,

You do not need to swing it like you are driving railroad spikes, just a firm, serious "tap",,,

[jcsmith]

Search "steering wheel puller " . On my 104 I used a harmonic balancer puller. I tapped the appropriate size hole , ( 2 holes ) in the metal part around the shaft. I had to drill and tap at a slight outward angle so the bolts would go thru the puller slots . Use the protective cap on the forcing screw so you don't mangle the shaft threads. Works great . I personally don't care to use the hammer method. Good luck.

Chris

If you go this route you will have to use some washers on the 2 pulling bolts, they are smaller than the slots on the puller.

[bolivier]

On stubborn wheels I get an 8' 2X4 and go get my wife. She stands in front of the cub and pry's up on the bottom of the wheel. Where you would hold it, not the center. Not too hard as to damage it. I install the factory nut as to leave it above the threads about an 1/8". Then I get a bolt that fits inside the shaft, stick a couple washers on it as to not damage the factory nut. Then as she is prying up on the wheel I strike the center bolt with my 3 lb sledge. I hit it about 5 times then rotate the wheel till the next spoke. I do this repeatedly until I turn the wheel all the way to one side. Then I turn it the other way until it won't turn any farther. Repeat until it comes off.
As a side note I just took the wheel off a 125 that had been sitting outside for 20 years. It took about 8-10 minutes of this process to get it off. I probably turned the wheels back and forth 3-4 times.
I've done this with about 3 wheels and have been successful on every one, and NEVER damage one of them.
Hope my explanation made sense.

[zippy1]

Have you soaked it for a few days with good penetrating oil? P.B. or equivalent will help.
I also put a puller on and leave it for days, snugged down and giving the nut a whack a few times a day and an extra turn on the puller. Just be patient and eventually it will pop off. Hopefully

[bolivier]

Originally Posted by zippy1

Just be patient and eventually it will pop off. Hopefully

Exactly. If you try to rush, you will damage something.

[Jonah Close]

I was able to get up underneath of the wheel with a puller and with some light tapping I finally was able to coax it off.

[olds45512]

Originally Posted by Jonah Close

I was able to get up underneath of the wheel and with some light tapping I was finally was able to coax it off.

Good to hear. in the future another good way to get a wheel off that's really stuck is to remove the nut and spray it with pb and then go now the grass, I've only every had to use that method once on a 122 wheel that just wouldn't come off but after an hour of mowing it popped right off.

[IHinIN]

I've heard of guys having luck using an air chisel with a round punch attachment to hit the loosened nut while putting upward pressure on the wheel with your knees.