The wheel is fitted to the shaft with a
splined and tapered joint and a nut (about 1
1/16" or 3/4" Whitworth), which together means
that even if the nut comes loose the wheel
should not be loose on the column, the taper
must be 'broken' as well. The best way of doing
this to avoid damage to both wheel rim and
column is as follows:
- Remove the horn push or centre cover (varies
with model)
- Slacken the nut by just a turn or two - make
absolutely sure that plenty of turns remain
engaged and the nut does not protrude too far
above the end of the column. Be careful loosing
the nut. Pull the wrench down from the left not
up from the right... I cracked my windshield
doing it that way...duhhhh.
- Sitting in the drivers seat, draw your knees
up behind the wheel and use them to apply
pressure to the back of the wheel rim.
- Wearing appropriate eye protection, place a
medium hammer on the end of the column shaft. If
you have a hammer with a ball-end then use this
end against the column. Whatever hammer you use
make sure the hammer is in contact with the end
of the column and not the nut or you will damage
the threads.
- Strike the first hammer firmly with a second
hammer.
- After a couple of blows the wheel should pop
free, but be safely retained by the nut which
prevents it from flying towards your face.
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