Steering Column Help

[RDF]

I'm trying to change my turn signal switch and I've got the wheel off, but I can't seem to figure out how the "soda can" comes off the base so I can get the wheel puller on it.....I thought I read somewhere how to do it a couple of weeks ago (when I started this project....ah yes, kids...they can delay anything....), but I can't remember how.   

[GoodysGotaCuda]

You'll have to take that nut off in the middle of the can and get the steering wheel puller down in there. Likely you have one of the ones with three slots in it? You will likely need a smaller one that only has two slots to get down in there, it can be a pain, and make sure you have the proper thread bolts in there before pulling.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

[Chryco Psycho]

or use a set of longer puller bolts & center bolt for the puller

[GoodysGotaCuda]

or use a set of longer puller bolts & center bolt for the puller

long center bolt may be the tough part to find. only recommendation for your area bob would be ACE hardware...but i don't think they'll have something that big. Also may consider some 'all thread' from lowes, home depot, ace and using a nut from the bottom of the puller to work it out

[RDF]

Yeah, that's the one I have.....so that darn can doesn't come off huh?  I guess I should stop trying to twist it off then...


Yeah I have a 2 slotted puller that Ed let me borrow....I'll work my magic with it somehow.   

[Chryco Psycho]

I built mine from grade 8 threaded rod & have used it for years

[GoodysGotaCuda]

No bob, the can is what you actually need the puller for. as you saw the actual wheel only has the three nuts holding it on there. And it is splined to the steering column, that ain't turnin lol

[Alaskan_TA]

Steering column 101;

http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/ServiceHighlights/1970PassengerCarHighlights11.shtml

[wally426ci]

the last time I tried to pull a crush can off with a junk wheel I thought I was gonna have better luck pulling the Kframe through the firewall. 

[peterro]

With a puller, mine came off without any problem.  See:

http://ron.peterro.com/?p=20

[RDF]

Thanks for the links and all....I got the crush can off no sweat.....no I just need to figure out how to get these wires out of the column without taking the whole darn thing out of the car!  Boy they are in there TIGHT!   

[wally426ci]

loosen up that little "shield" that screws to the column. once you loosen that, they should slide up after disconnecting.

if you use a later model switch/harness there is an extra little plug that you simply dont use. but it still  works just fine. I think they are light green, purple and grey? 

[RDF]

Thanks for all the advise....after dropping the column and removing the shield, the wires were sitting right there. 

Goody....thanks for doing such a good job on wiring that up a while back.  I was able to find those wires right away and cut the plug off the new one, cross reference the wire colors and match them up perfectly.  I still owe you one for that and I haven't forgot, trust me.   

All went back together smooth and I've got directionals again!   

Here's some pics (in no particular order), can someone tell me if the old one looks fried?  To me it does, but I don't know if that's just 30+ years of plastic wear from the elements and what not.....