Steering wheel removal -clockspring replacement

[CJ6np435]

the horn doesn't work on our xj, it's a 98 diesel
I've worked out it's the clock spring, grounding the horn wire, that plugs into the under side of the clockspring sets off the horn.

I'm having a struggle getting the steering wheel off
I've sprayed it with crc
loaded it up with a puller, and gave it a few big hits, normally this works for me, but not this time, I even pulled a thread out of the steering wheel where the puller bolt goes in, put a helicoil in, and tried again, still no luck

any other ideas???

[undecided]

had to destroy my sterring wheel to get it off

[junglejuice]

I have had a Zg steering wheel do that to me, if I were trying it again I would some penetron on the spline, leave the nut on loosely and load up the puller and leave it for a while.
Then add some more pentron and tension up the puller a little more and leave it for a day or so and see if that helps, sometimes having constant pressure on it with a good pentrating lubricant can work wonders....

[The Smiths]

Load it up with the puller and fluid - then if that does not work a big punch and a 2kg hammer and hit the wheel from behind.

You should be able to get the punch to an area of the wheel with no covers etc

[CJ6np435]

I'll have another go today, with the puller and crc, I got pretty violent with it yesterday.....and spent a bit of time repairing the thread so I could get the nut back on, might have to fab up a decent puller, the one I'm using is past it's best

Undecided, maybe I'll have to get a backup steering wheel...just in case, it's our only car at the moment, did you cut the remains of the wheel off with an angle grinder??

[The Smiths]

I've done it with just the punch and hammer and no puller before now.

just get as close to the column as possible so that most of the force is directed at removing the wheel - never lost a wheel in the past

[CJ6np435]

Got a back up steering wheel today, Thanks tassiecj6, it's a off a petrol xj with cruise control, but I think it'll fit if I wreck the other one, so will try all methods suggested, get some good penetraing oil tomoz and let it soak for a week, and have another go next weekend..., the original wheel is diecast, and the backup is steel