I am removing the steering wheel and shaft in my 65 malibu, well trying to. I have the shaft loose from the rag joint, and the nut loose on the steering wheel but I can't figure how this things comes apart. Any help before I break out the torch....

p.s. The body is off the frame if that helps.

Well you need a steering wheel puller.
It has 2 bolts that screw into the steering wheel hub and a bolt down the center that screws against the center shaft and pops off the wheel. After you get the wheel off you can then get to the guts. You will need snap ring pliers to remove the retainer plate.
I'm trying to picture this frame with the steering column standing up on it. I assume you took it loose at the rag joint to get the body off.

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71 SS-454 El Camino

[This message has been edited by caddpro (edited 09-29-2002).]

[This message has been edited by caddpro (edited 09-29-2002).]

You can break it loose with a hammer just as easy. Loosen the nut on the column and back it out till it is flush with the surface of the shaft. Then as your pulling on the steering wheel with one hand, hit the nut and shaft with the hammer and that should pop it loose. As long as the nut is flush with the surface of the shaft, you shouldn't damage any threads.

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Brian TC#1092, ACES#4374
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1965 El Camino (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/65elcamino1b.jpg) Before Restoration (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/65elcamino1a.jpg)
1981 Corvette (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/65elcamino81.jpg)

You can do it as 65elcamino says, but my .02 is to just spend the $5 that the steering wheel puller will cost you, plus you'll have another specialty tool for the neighborhood! Or even better, just go up to an Autozone parts store and borrow the puller from them (usually you just have to plunk down a small returnable deposit). Good luck...

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James
'71 Malibu (Drop-Top)
My1971 (http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumList?u=4035596)

unless you want to remove the steering wheel, you can remove the column with the wheel still on I think.

If I remember, you can undo the bolts that hold the column to the firewall and dash and pull it through into the interior.

If you need to remove the wheel anyway, it will probably be easier to go ahead and pull it before the column.

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Charles Perrell
cperrell@yahoo.com
65 malibu SS Convertible
283 2v powerglide

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 65_Mailbu:
I am removing the steering wheel and shaft<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


are you trying to pull the shaft out with the steering wheel still on it ?

Spend the $5.99 for the puller. It's really no more than a disc of 1/4" plate, with a bolt through it and some slots for the attaching bolts.
Just get full engagement of the attaching bolts (5 or more threads worth), torque up the center bolt reasonably tight, and give the center bolt a whack. The wheel should pop right off.
After that, start disassembling the wheel end of the column, and the shaft will slide out the steering box end of the column.

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'64 El Camino
383 - TH-350 - 12bolt
4 wheel disc
'64 Before Engine (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/JohnD/LFnoengine.jpg)

'64 After Engine (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/JohnD/LFengine.jpg)

Thanks for all the replys. I did not have time to get the puller so I put the nut back on flush and three taps with a hammer and it came right off. Thanks to everyone for the help.

It works so easy and the puller takes more time than it's worth. I have a puller but it's simpler with a quick tap of the hammer. Glad my bubba trick was of use. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Ah the power of the bfh, what a great tool!!!!