ajt3138

Most Mack trucks that I have been around use a 1" diameter, 36 spline count shaft without taper. I do not have the correct puller and have always placed a flat steel disc in the center of the steering wheel with the retainer nut backed off till the end of threads. With upward knee pressure on the rim from the backside, a quick burp with the air hammer and the wheel is free of the splines no matter how tight it was initially. The rapid vibration combined with the force of impact does the trick.

Works for me.

I don't know anything about "guruship".

Rob

rob,

i'm just a newbie, but you do seem to have a response of some kind to almost all topics.

I was headed down rt. 1 near Aikens, S.C. this morning with a load of train wheels when I spotted an old Diamond Reo. Had to go to Jackson to unload and reloaded more train wheels at the same place. So when I was coming back I pulled over to look at the Diamond Reo, and saw some old Macks sitting around too. And an Autocar...took a few pictures, and didn't hang around long because I was pulled over on the shoulder. And, I saw this nice looking white SUV yesterday on I-85 north of Charlotte. When I was resizing the picture I accidently cropped it, and now I can't tell what kind of vehicle it is-dang it! Anybody recognize it?

yeah it looks like an itchypussi. oops... i mean a mitsibushi.

me too!..with a b.f.h!

you guys are too helpful. i haven't located the correct puller yet. tried several but it definately has to be a specific shape.

we tried knee and hammer method but with no luck. so i took the cab off with the steering wheel still attached.

As has been discussed before here, you can always drill and tap the boss and use a conventional steering wheel puller.

I have always tried the "hammer and knee" method, using one or both knees to put pressure on the back side of the spokes while hitting first.

A good soaking of penetrating oil at the splines may help.

i'll give this a try. sure would be nice to get it off of the column. if not i'll find a puller somewhere. it looks as though it would drop out the floorboard hole?

The "correct" type puller looks like a large "C" clamp with a wide base saddle that is a fork. The saddle bears against the bottom of the steering wheel while the forcing screw pushes it's saddle that bears on the threaded shaft.

Very easy to do but the single hammer and upward force works quick for me also.

Rob

i'll try the hammer method first since that's a tool i have readily available.

if you don't have a steering wheel puller the 2 hammer method usually works. remove the horn button and back the nut off even with the end of the shaft, so you don't damage the threads. have a helper take a ball peen hammer and hold it tight against the nut while you pull up on the wheel hard as you can. then have him hit the hammer on the shaft with another hammer, and it'll usually pop loose. usually that is.

if it doesn't, you can try having your helper pull up on the wheel while you hit it with the hammer.

i didnt know what type of puller would work since i didnt see any threaded holes in steering wheel to attach a puller. do you have to drill and tap your own or what?

Havent had time to work on my B model for almost a year. between driving around in my "new" 65 caddy I bought a few years ago and working on the RS700L I havent had time or money. So today I put in 2 used batterys (Free), jumped in the cab, throttle to the floor, turned the key, fired off on the first crank. gotta love the old dogs for how simple they are. I missed that bark

Got the trunk of the caddy loaded with my tools and will be out wrenching on it this weekend.

Trent

i kept mine in storage in one of our old barns for twenty years. i would get it out once a year and hook a chain on it and it would usually pop in a few feet and it would roar to life. drive around the block or whatever after getting some air pressure.

we last used truck on the job in 1987. finally got it out of the barn in 2007.

whats the best way to pull the steering wheel on a b61t? just about ready to remove cab.

Paul,

Doug Fetterly, 315-543-2624, 14203 Parks Rd., Harrisville, NY 13648

I got his card at Macungie last year

thanks, i had a little trouble getting an e-mail to him so i'll try the phone. appreciate the info.

You need to talk to Doug Fetterly in Harrisville, NY.

He has both plain steel and polished stainless steel original style B model bumpers

and the grille protector kits in stock.

Sorry for the lack of contact info - but if you call information for the 315 area code

and ask for Doug Fetterly you will get a number. (I think it's South Shore Road, Harrisville, NY)

For a good used bumper try Kevin All at All Macks. (K-all on this site)

I don't know where you are located but, If you were going to Macungie,

either one of those guys might deliver you one to the show, if you ask.

Paul Van Scott

thank you for the information. i live in ohio. you've been a big help.

well, of course we always want a sneek peek. just like little kids at christmas.

i talked to tracy at watts this afternoon and he said you had to get bengay for your fingers. you'll probably need to ice them for a couple days after all your typing.

Haha...I'm sure we can turn something up for ya!

I just finished adding 400 items! Tomorrow, we're taking pictures and uploading. I should be able to launch the new site this weekend! I can probably post the link for a sneak peak if you like...but there isn't many photos right now!

No problem! They actually pay me to do this stuff! LOL

well, of course we always want a sneek peek. just like little kids at christmas.

Just wanted to put the word out that we have a new Online Shopping Store in the works! It will be hosted on the BMT Server and will have a ton of great features including instant order totals complete with calculated freight!! It will have the entire B-Model Store, the new R-Model Store plus the complete line of Steel Shield products and much more! There will even be categories for common truck related items, Mack Novelties and mobile electronics! The new store will supersede the BMT Store and the wattsmack.com B-Model page. We are excited to offer 24-7 online ordering but we are also committed to be on he other end of the phone when you need person to person service! We just want to offer the online ordering option, plus the new store will have more product information and better item photos.

Let me know what you think...I'll post the link soon! I don't wanna give too much away before it is done!

cant wait until you get it fired up. your b store has been very easy to work with and it sounds like this will improve on an already great setup. the pictures on your b store site make it nice to order parts and i will look forward to your new site to finish the list for my truck.

Didn't Buck Owens have a hit song about Sam's Place? All sorts of chicanery going on there when the sun goes down. Seems like maybe AJT is the one we need to keep OUR eyes on, not the other way around!

Anyway, welcome to the site, the more the merrier!!!

awe, i'm just an innocent little boy. haha

Was through Blakeslee on my motorcycle chasing/photographing trains last summer. I'll have to remember Sam's Place, I usually stop at Lester's in Bryan. But am always looking for new places to eat.

you should definately stop in for dinner. just tell randy(sams grandson) that i recommended it. wed. thru sat.

Welcome to the group from Canton, OH!

thanks so much. i definately have felt very welcome into this group.

Welcome to BMT! Glad to have ya aboard!

happy to be here. fun already and just getting started.

Welcome AJ!

What part of NW Ohio do you call home? There are several of us on here from the Buckeye. I'm in Findlay (Flood City, USA).

I do drive a Pete...... so don't hold that against me! (But at least it don't have rusty hubcaps ) I'm not a Mack expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I'd be glad to help any way I can.

i am from little town called blakeslee. its only a half mile long. we call it half mile of smile!! we are only 5 miles from indiana and 12 miles from michigan. pretty much up in the corner. not much in town but our construction company and a great place to eat - Sam's Place.

Hi A.J. You'll be glad you found us over here just watch out for the "shady character" that goes by "Other Dog". He drives a Pete with rusty hubcaps, yet claims to be a Mack affectionado. He hasn't convinced me yet, and I'm leary, or looney, (depending on how you look at it) of him.

Welcome to the site. Get a couple photos posted of your project. Lot of talent available and willing to help should you need it.

By the way, here's a link to a guy that has replacement bumpers for the B models: http://www.oldmacksrus.com/forum/yaf_posts...-or-primed.aspx

Rob

thanks for the info on bumpers. i will get some pictures up. appreciate your offer for help and i'll be on guard for all you "characters". thanks. aj

hi, i'm a.j. from northwest ohio. i am owner of small construction business. my dad started business in 1961. he bought a 1961 b-model in the seventies and we used that truck for years until we outgrew the single axle tractor hauling our equipment. i talked him into storing that truck in the barn since it had more than paid for itself. our company will be celebrating 50 years soon and i will have that truck restored by then to celebrate our anniversary.

i am looking for bumper only for 1961 B61T that mounts on the extended bumper mount with tow hooks.