On my "55 wanted to remove wheel to "freshen" it up a bit. Removed horn ring and then the nut holding wheel. Thought I could tap it loose from backside with soft mallet...didn't budge so I tapped little harder and busted all the Bake-o-lite (or whatever it is) and it still isn't loose....now that I have to hunt down new steering wheel, what is the correct way to remove the old busted, now ready for trash can wheel, so I'll be able to put replacement on? (Guess I'm the NUT holding the wheel)!!!

On another more pleasant note: After pulling all the door panels checked inside the doors and the only thing I saw was DUST... (NOT RUST)....well not quite, each did have a broken spring about 2" long resting down there, what could they be for? 

Sterring wheel removed w/ gear puller or steering wheel puller.  Have not had to fix my S wheel but know they can be completely reconditioned.  If someone on here does not have another 55 wheel or know where to get one reconditioned, I will contact a friend and ask who he used.

TC

You gotta have the right tools and know how to use 'em.

TC - Austin, Texas

I just had my wheel done by Garys Steering Wheel resto... He did an AWESOME job.  He redid a hack job that a previous "lower cost" resto place did - it is incredible - as good as new, if not better, and the FIesta Red is dead on with the rest of the car.  I think it was about 4 weeks or so turnaround?

(866) 879-6525; they are in Carlisle, PA

Also, if you dont have a gear puller, CASCO sells a really slick steering wheel puller for the cars that lets you pull the wheel without damaging the wheel or the horn button/wire.  It was like $20 or so?

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL

Just getting worst....tried puller and wheel is still on and the threads and horn button are now smashed and messed up...and to think it was something that didn't need to be taken apart in first place. I may just have to give up working on cars and spend my days working jig-saw puzzles.

Should have mentioned to leave the big nut screwed on a couple of threads for the puller to push against.  If the bolt hols in the wheel are messed up, sounds like the wrong bolts were used.  I messed up the threads on my first pull and had to straighten them.  Wasn't bad enough to make a thread chaser.  Saw a home made chaser once.  Guy cut a nut in half, fit the split nut on the good threads and slipped a socket over it.  Backed the nut off SLOW AND EASY.

You gotta have the right tools and know how to use 'em.

TC - Austin, Texas

Ron , See if you can get hold of a die and clean up the thread ?Use plenty of WD40  I have removed some stubborn wheels by putting the nut back on flush with  the  top of the shaft . You should still have 1/4 inch or so between the nut & steering wheel ?A large washer or socket on top of the nut will protect your horn wire end . If you apply upward pressure on the wheel with your knees and give the nut a big wack with a Big hammer ,it should be enough to break it lose ???You can easily fix the broken bits of steering wheel with Bondo & sandpaper . Repaint with gloss paint and nobody will know .Regards Lon

yblocksdownunder

Just found out it pays to ask...and more important, it pays to listen. Cut a nut in half and used Vice-grips to hold it together on threaded shaft turning it out with long screwdriver to straighten threads. Did that couple times then was able to fit socket over the nut and do it couple more times to clean it up. Thanks for the help and with the original nut screwed on part way I was finally able to pop the steering wheel off...just when I thought something was about to break it came loose. Now I'll see if I can glue the broken pieces back on and Bondo the cracks. Thanks again for the help...next I take the headliner out to use as pattern to make new one...that will probably bring on more questions.

I have wheel off 55 tbird i am not using if you need one . installed a Grant Banjo wheel on my bird. 

55Birdman  Hickory NC

Believe wheel will work out:

After the J-B Weld and Bondo: