The main thing I learned here is that the tilt columns are more fragile. I recall taking the wheel off a '47 Ford and it was not bad, just a little penetrating fluid, move the nut up flush and tap it, but I would do the same on my tilt wheel that needs to be recentered so thanks for the warning. Actually I found that you can rent various pullers from AutoZone, pay the price and return for a full refund or keep it if you want. Recently I installed a new wheel on my Ididit GM-style tilt wheel and tightened the column nut down after I tightened the set screw down at the Vega box spline and it sat there fine, but after about five minutes or more it went "whammo" and I thought I had busted the splined end of the column at the bottom. After checking things out and worrying that I have busted the Vega box I figured out that the fiberglass boddy had been scrunched down by tightening the column nut but the spline was new and tight and then suddenly the spline seated. I was able to tighten the column nut more. Then again there is some difference in length of the column when the tilt bends so apparently there needs to be some slight play in the mount for the tilt?? That is the only explanation I have because I went to the trouble to reseat the grooved knob on the end of the splined shaft into the Vega box. Just chatting here about something I didn't understand at first. I would guess that on a '48 Ford the all metal body and straight column would not give that problem. Hey, if I had been able to find a real steel early Ford I would not have to learn all this modern stuff!

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder