Bummed out

bobcat2

bobcat2

Tractorologist
Senior Member
Member
Hello all,

As you know, I've been restoring a '69 SS12. I've been soaking the steering wheel shaft in Kano Kroil for 2 months, and decided to try to pull the wheel.

A 3 jaw puller didn't get on the collar enough for me to feel comfortable, so I bought a bearing separator/puller. I slapped it on there, and with a 3/8 ratchet, I ended up busting it. I swear I didn't even have that much pressure on it.

I guess now I'm at the mercy of eBay for one, I see current "buy now" prices are hovering around $50.

I've played the waiting game before, and I've loosened some tight things too, I think that no matter what I did, it was going to break...oh well, it is what it is.

Thanks for listening to my ramblings,
bobcat2
 
I believe there are many a steering wheel that are determined to never come off. Good luck finding another one. I'm sure they're out there.. What shape they're in don't know..
 
Yep, common issue with Sears. A lot of guys will grind the welds off the bottom gear and slide the whole shaft out then reweld the gear back on. Good luck finding a good one.
 
I'm sure to add insult to injury since I've twisted one transaxle bolt off so far, the rest will do the same, lol. Time to order a set of left hand drill bits and break out the helicoil set. I think if I'm fast enough with the oxy/acc torches, cold water, a punch, and an impact wrench, I may avoid twisting them all off.
 
We all probably have stories of stubborn parts not coming off. I also thought a steering wheel was my worse until I had to pull the brake disc plate off my Mtd990. It had to come off to drop the rear end from the frame. I kept a three jaw puller attached to it for over a week. I would heat & crank the jaws a little each day constantly soaking it with several different penetrating fluids. One day I cranked it a little got down real close to see if I was making any progress but no. I walked away to work on something else & bam! it sounded like a rifle shot. I looked around & my disc along with the puller was twirling in the air about two feet above the rear end. I was shocked at how close I could have been hurt bad. On a good note glad you got a steering wheel replacement & hope you get your bolts out with no problems.
 
Before you spend money on eBay, look at the weld on the gear at the steering sector.
Many people have had success this way.
 
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