1975 spider - Steering Wheel removal

Hi, I have just bought a 75 Spider and can't believe I didn't do it sooner.

Can anybody tell me if there is a special tool or technique required to remove the steering wheel?

I have made up a simple extractor to press down on the splined but it will not budge. Before I apply too much pressure, I like to know I'm not going to break anything, and its a case of more force needed.

many thanks

Once the centre nut has been removed you may find the steering wheel is still difficult to remove. Try to avoid taking a hammer to it, instead try a rocking movement, east/west and then north/south. Keep it up for as long as it takes, hopefully before too long it will break free.

There are pullers to remove steering wheels but should not be necessary . If it is stuck fast, while someone is rocking the steering wheel a sharp tap on the centre often helps.

Remeber the wheel is on a key-way rather than a spline.

Best of luck.

Thumping with a BFH and using a puller are acceptable ways of progressing this job but you really want to be careful to not mash the end of the shaft - keeping the nut on helps.

I found that I was able to very effectively loosen mine by slackening off the nut a half turn or so and drive around normally. After a few days the effort of steering was enough to free up the wheel.

Thank you both very much. I've slackened off the nut now and will hope that driving will free it up a bit, before I get a chance to tackle the job again as you suggested.
It may be the first time its been off since 1975. This is being done simply to put on the plastic horn sleeves in place.

Thanks again.

PS. Can anybody give me a tip on the best/most practical workshop manual to buy?

Originally Posted by citrus_spyder

PS. Can anybody give me a tip on the best/most practical workshop manual to buy?

I have the Car Disc CD with many parts and service manuals in PDF form. I can print out pages as I need them and put them in plastic wallets rather than make a book format manual all filthy.

It is a US outfit but there are Euro spec manuals as well. They should have a version for your model year.

Thanks, I'll give them a try. Is the company called Car Disk CD?

Take a look at this:
CarDisc International - 1971 to 1981 Spider
I have the 68-71 version that also covers the GTV.

There is also a technical bulletin CD:
CarDisc International - Alfa Romeo Service & Tooling Bulletins
Which I don't have but looks good.

If you don't want the hassle of ordering from the US (good exchange rate though) then you can get them in the UK through Highwood Alfa:
Alfa Romeo Parts and Alfa Romeo Spares www.highwoodalfa.com specialist classic Alfa Parts

Sorry for the delay in responding.

That's so helpful, thank you very much.

I'll do the US thing to save money.

I can second the recommendation for CarDisc CD...full of loads of useful info, and shipping was prompt. Just received mine last week, and am still wading through.

One quick question, as I am pulling my '77 Spider steering wheel to replace the column stalks - what size socket is required to undo the nut on column ?

Thanks