im taking out the steering column of my 66 mustang. in the haynes book it says i have to take the steering wheel off first. Since i have the engine bay empty is there a better way to get the column out? i dont really want to buy the puller is there a cheaper way to get the column out?

 

Nope. You have to unbolt the steering wheel and then pop it off the shaft regardless. The steering box bolts to the frame rail and sticks through the firewall with a solid shaft. The steering column slides over the shaft from the inside of the car and sticks through the firewall a little bit. The steering wheel bolts to the shaft and pushes a little centering widget in behind the nut that helps to get the shaft centered inside the column.

 

if you dont want to steering wheel and column anymore, a screw driver and alot of time, might pop off the wheel.

 

You can easily rent a puller if you don't want to buy one.

 

Or check with Autozone etc. to see if they have one to loan.

 

I have a trick for gettin wheels off. You have to use your head a little bit so you dont mess up the threads.

1: Loosen the nut untill its flush with the tip of the shaft.
2: Use one hand and both knees to pull outward on the wheel.
3: Smack the nut with a 48oz hammer. Or have someone else smack it.
4: Take the nut off and pull the now loose wheel off.


One to three good hits and it pops right off. If you dont have the nut on the ends, your chances of smashing a thread is greatly increased. It works, and I have done it almost every time I have changed one of my wheels, although if a customer is standing there, I will use a puller. They are like $10-$30 at the parts stores. Dont need anything special, and you should have one for harmonic balancers, and other things that are pressed on.