Anyone have a write up for removing a factory 78 Brat steering wheel?

Usually you can wiggle them off after the nut is removed. It is a taper fit. Keep the nut on there with a couple threads so you don't smack yourself in the face with the wheel! Worse case grab a loaner steering wheel puller from a Autozone or such. There should be a couple threaded bosses there.

Yup what he said.

I had my son give the threaded column (with nut out to the end) a whack with a brass hammer while I pulled on wheel it popped off easy.  

17mm nut and a light tap. If needed. Comes off easy

Hopefully, this isn't in the way too obvious category, but no one mentioned how to get to the nut in the first place. First, disconnect your battery.Then, push on the center horn piece like you are honking your horn, but harder. At the same time, turn the piece to the right. It will pop right off. BTW, I've never seen a nut back there that I had trouble getting off so, if that's your problem, I'm curious about the situation.

 

Finally, I agree with Datsunrides that after you get the nut off, you just wiggle the wheel and it should come off with a little persistence.

Edited January 12, 201511 yr by bendecker

Okay, so I finally had a chance to tackle this today. In order to take the steering wheel off, you have to do the following:

1. Unscrew the set screw that holds the horn button onto the steering wheel. This is behind the wheel on the left hand side of it.

Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

2. Press the horn button down, and turn counter-clock wise. Horn wheel pops off EASILY.

Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

3. 17mm Socket to remove the nut holding the steering wheel.

4. Wheel slides off with ease.

Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

From the FSM:

Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/151031-steering-wheel-removal/

 

In addition to removing and repairing / cleaning the steering wheel, I also removed and replaced the broken turn signal assembly with another one (the other one I used was in a bit better shape and in Black plastic rather than Brown).  The 3 screws that are normally supposed to hold the entire turn signal assembly securely on the steering, were gone. I've since found screws and installed it properly into the new/replacement assembly and now the entire thing is SOLID. 

Edited January 25, 201511 yr by spicypeanut

I have no memory of a screw ever being in the back on my '81. I just turn the horn piece and it's off...

 

Also, you'd be amazed what some good epoxy putty will do for the cracks in you steering wheel. Add some paint and you're good to go. There are a ton of tutorials on YouTube.

So after I cleaned everything up, and reinstalled the wheel, my horn doesn't respond like it used to. Before I took the wheel off, the horn would engage as soon as i pressed the horn button. And it wouldn't stop until I released the button. Now I have to fidget with the button until the horn sort of works, then doesn't, then does again. Can someone explain to me how the horn works? I assume that bronze finger makes contact with the metal ring on the back side of the steering wheel. But I'm not sure where to look to see the issue.