VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 '37 steering column removal

I know I saw a thread once about removing the steering wheel on a '37 but now I can't find it. How do I get the steering column out? I'm guessing it requires first removing the steering wheel.

Thanks,
Brandon

My 38 steering wheel came off pretty easy. Just remove the nut and tap on the threaded end and pull upward on the wheel.. Make sure you start the nut on the end of threads. A light tap..and it was off. If that doesn't work, you'll need a wheel puller, NAPA loans them for a small fee. A 37 may be different.

If you pull the steering column out make sure to run a NEW wire to the horn button. Mine's rotted out and needs to be replaced, I'm just chicken to remove everything. Good luck.

I think it's the same as the 38, take off the steering wheel then loosen the clamp under the dash. Now if you only want to take the tube off, open the hood and loosen the “C” shaped clamp at the top of the steering box and the bolts that hold the steering box to the frame. Disconnect the horn button wire and twist the tube until it pulls straight up and off the steering shaft. You may have to take the dash clamp off to get wiggle room.

If you want to take out the steering box you’ll also need to take the pitman arm off the end of the shaft to slide the steering box over enough to pull it out. Remove the splatter shield bolts and take the shield off. Take the dash clamp off so you have some maneuver room. I would still pull the steering tube off so you don’t scrape it up. Note that there is a block shaped nut in the frame that the steering bolt connect to so don’t loose it when you pull the bolt out.

Brian

I had to use a puller on my 38 to get the steering wheel off. I used a puller that normally uses three bolts. I made three J hooks from some bolts, put the hooks around the wheel spokes and pulled it off that way. I got the method from Tiny, here on this site.

Thanks Wawuzit, I tried what you suggested and it finally worked. Took quite a bit of pulling and hitting.

From what I read here all I need to do now is pull and the column should come out. I've already loosened the clamps.

Brandon

Don't poke a hole in the headliner...grin

hahaha, strangely enough, it already has a hole up there so I'm going to have to replace it anyway. Maybe I'll put another one just for symmetry sake.

Brandon