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[Ben_nz]

I'm trying to fit an aftermarket steering wheel to my 33, but I can't get the factory mounting bracket / boss kit off the steering shaft. I have removed the horn cover and the big nut and washer which hold the mounting bracket down on the shaft, but that's all I can budge. I have pulled the steering wheel enough to bend the mounting bracket at the points where the wheel is riveted to it, and I've tried hammering the bracket from behind and hammering the end of the shaft with a hole punch and spraying lots of WD40. At my local car accessories shop one of the staff owns a series 3 Alfa 33, and he has tried to remove his steering wheel using strong mechanics, levering bars and a steering wheel puller tool. The steering wheel puller broke.

I have seen photos on the web of Alfa 33s with aftermarket steering wheels. How on earth do you get the factory one off?!?

[Serpent33]

Hi. There are steering wheel pullers that utilizes the two holes found on the steering wheel. The device has a huge bolt positioned right in the middle that pushes against the steering shaft through a plate. Steering wheel can be remove via two other screw that fits into the two holes I mentioned. I don't know how else I can explain it but hope you get a rough idea.
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Each time I speed I say, "Dear lord, make me fast and accurate..."

[gritsop]

Hi,

The key idea to the steering wheel is that its shape is conical and that is why it is attached so solid.

When the wheel had to be removed my mechanic took a big hammer and punch and started hitting it but in vain. At last three people were pulling the wheel who eventually took it off...

So I have now made a DIY puller consisting of a metal bar (coming from the fence's hardware) a screw, a cylinder washer and a nut.

See the pic


_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

[Bellamachinna]

Hi
All my 33`s had this prob... I use a Momo Corse (same as used by the Integrale Evo), that i change from car to car...
The steering wheel`s of the 33 are a real pain to remove. I used a puller, and it never fails to do his job...
Never broke nothing, never bend the steering wheel...(although it needed a bit of "incentive" from my arms to get the wheel out.)
take care
P.Camilo
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All'interno della mia macchina, vi sedete, tenete sopra e CHIUDETE IN SU...

[Ben_nz]

I bought a puller today, and bolted it to the steering wheel.
When I tightened the puller, the steering wheel mounting bracket bent and broke at the rivets.
Now I have the steering wheel off, but the bracket is still stuck on. It's going to be hard to drive like that.....

I plan to tie the puller (which is designed for removing harmonic balancer shafts, so it has more attachment points) to the steering wheel mounting bracket with lots of wire and have another go.

[Ben_nz]

I win!

First I secured the puller to the remains of the steering wheel mounting bracket using wire, bolts and vise grips.

Then I tightened the puller decently tight until things were threatening to bend and break.

Then I bashed the rear metal ring of the mounting bracket from behind with a heavy chisel and hammer. After several bashes the whole mess flew off!

I'm stuck with aftermarket wheels now though, my original one being somewhat mangled...

[col]

Hi. I know that you have it off now, but a little trick my brother showed me works a treat for impromptu steering wheel removal. Very handy when traipsing around the local wrecking/ breaker/ scrap-dealer's yard and it's important to take home 'that' wheel.
If you loosen (but DON'T remove completely!) the nut holding the wheel to the tapered steering shaft end and position yourself for a real good effort as it needs a very substantial rocking, bending force to crack the taper. It get's a bit scary when pulling and bending the wheel, but you have to use a lot of muscle power to do it so don't hold back! It takes a lot of repeated rocking and working at it to get the conical part to let the spline go free, but it will happen. Trust me. Why leave the nut partly on, you ask? Hmmm, let's just say it's not a good look with a bleeding, flattened nose!! ''
If you know how the tapered bit works you can have a better understanding of how to achieve the preferred end result, without mutilating the wheel by belting it to death in a vain attempt at shifting it (usually unsuccessfuly I might add) as you are usually kicking the wheel over when belting from behind. You need to get a good hit at it right in the middle, which you can't because of the shaft position
This little tip has been a big help to me and I've never failed to remove a wheel,.... so far. If you don't need to reuse the steering wheel then it is fairly easy to do a gorilla impression on it to get it off, perhaps removing an alloy wheel this way is out of the question?

Cheers,... Col.

[BillaBoo]

[gritsop]

Hi,

Let me clarify how this puller works

the metal bar sits in the circle of the wheel and the bolt merely touches the steering columnin its centre

The cylindrical washer touches the steering column so that the nut when done will start appling pressureto the cylindrical washer which in return will apply pressure to the steering column. Take a closer look at the cylindrical washer in the rhs where you will see some deformation; this is of the stress it took while pressing the steering column.
In addition the washer is placed between the nut and the cylindrical washer in order to ease the rotation of the nut while doing it.

Don't be surprised to see the metal bar and the bolt kept together by the rubber stripe! if the bar is placed precisely in the steering wheel the bolt will merely touch the steering column and no misalignment occurs since steering column is the centre of the steering wheel !

Hope this is clear.

Regards
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop