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REMOVAL OF STEERING WHEEL
72TWINCAB - March 25th, 2003 at 11:01 AM

I have a 72 Dual Cab Ute. However, the steering wheel is looking a bit worse for wear and I am thinking about repairing or replacing it.

From the look of it, it seems like someone prior to myself has tried to remove the steering wheel without any success. I've heard they are a real bugger to remove without detroying them.

Has anyone else had any experience with replacing or repairing Kombie steering wheels?

Any one have a good quality steering wheel for sale? Thanks:bounce

Phil74Camper - March 25th, 2003 at 01:00 PM

You need a puller to get them off. The 'official' VW manual (Bentley) has a photo of one being used to pull the steering wheel off. You might be able to fabricate one up, but a VW workshop should be able to whip it off for you in less than 5 minutes.

There are plenty of places that can re-epoxy or re-enamel old steering wheels, and even give them a juke-box style flakey pearl effect if you wish. However it would probably be cheaper to just find another one. Try your local VW wreckers and VW workshops.

Hutcho - March 25th, 2003 at 01:45 PM

Phil,
Id be interested in where you can get steering wheel resto's at! do you know any places in Sydney.........

Hutcho:thumb

Old Dubber - March 25th, 2003 at 01:55 PM

72twincab,

Phil is right about the puller and sounds like the previous owner has had a go.
I've had some success at sitting with your knees under the wheel, have the steering wheel nut loose, then a smart rap with a copper headed hammer.
But I can help with a puller, if you can call by my place at Everton Hills

Phil74Camper - March 25th, 2003 at 04:29 PM

Yes you might be lucky that way. I tried that with mine - removed the nut and tried rapping. Didn't work, it was too firmly attached after 30 years of not being moved. I gave up after that - my wheel is worn but not enough to worry about.

As for steering wheel repair and pearling places, try this one:

http://www.pearlcraft.com.au/ 

There are probably more in the yellow pages, but I haven't looked!

70AutoStik - March 27th, 2003 at 09:15 PM

If you're going to replace or restore the wheel anyway, K-mart sells a puller at a pretty cheap price that will do the job. It has three hooked jaws, and a bolt in the middle, with it's end shaped into a point to fit into the hole in the middle of the shaft. Hit the centre of the wheel with a rubber mallet before you start in case the splines have baulked. It works - but I added a small chip or two to the rear of the boss when I did it. You'll find a bearing in there that probably needs to be replaced - I bought one from a VW supplier and it was worth the money.

geodon - March 28th, 2003 at 06:35 AM

I made one using 1inch sq steel & a length of allthread & a couple of nuts in about an hour. I can e-mail pictures if you like.

72TWINCAB - March 28th, 2003 at 07:51 AM

Thanks everyone:thumb
Well it does'nt seem as hard to remove as I first heard. Now all I need to do is find another steering wheel to repair or swap with mine so I can get it repaired.

Thanks for the link Phil74Camper, it seems that pearlcraft really know their stuff. Could be a goer.

Old Dubber I might take you up on your offer once I source a steeering wheel.:D

Old Dubber - March 28th, 2003 at 01:57 PM

No worries,
I will have a look at my parts kombi on the weekend and see what the wheel is like. If it's OK you can have it!

Old Dubber - April 4th, 2003 at 02:07 PM

72TWINCAB,

Had a look at the steering wheel, has no cracks, no chips round the horn button, but looks old (well so would you after 33 years)
So come and have a look for your self and if you like it, you can have it.
Ph 3355 7943