Need help removing steering wheel

[greemero]

O.K, I'm trying to remove the steering wheel on my 69 F100. I borrowed a puller, but the problem is that whoever owned the truck before me sheared off a bolt in one of the puller holes. I tried drilling it out, but the bit broke off in the bolt (can you hear the circus music...) so now I'm really hosed.

I rigged up a 2x2 piece of wood to be used with the puller so that when I cranked down on the puller bolt, the wood was pushing out on the rim of the steering wheel. The wheel never budged and the piece of wood broke.

Is there any other way I can get the stupid thing off short of going at it with my reciprocating saw.... I'm trying to get to the turn signal mechanism, but that's for another topic.

Thanks for your help.

[flyboy2610]

Soak it good with penetrating oil, then get a friend to pull back real hard on th wheel. Smack the shaft smartly with a big hammer. It might pop off.

[fordman]

put a block of wood on the shaft before you hit it with a hammer though. you can also redrill the drill bit out. and use an easy out on it. to get the rest out. i know drilling out bolt holes is a b**ch but it can be done with patience.

[72hiboy4x4]

an old german guy taught me to slip the female end of a 1/2" socket extension over the shaft . then pull on the wheel while pounding the extension with a hammer. never did figure out how to pull on the wheel with both hands, hold the extension still, and use the hammer at the same time.

[fordman]

put your knees under the wheel and pull with your knees. i've heard that before and i just forgot about it.

[greemero]

Why do you need the piece of wood over the shaft before you hit it with a hammer? So you don't dent it, or jack up the threads accidentally, or does the piece of wood just give you a bigger target?

[rjewkes]

just remember to leave the nut on level with the end of the bolt.