I have never used a puller to remove a steering wheel. (I grew up in a wrecking yard, too.--literally, as my dad owned three of them) Loosen, but do NOT remove the nut, then put boyh feet fimly on floor and with all your might, pull back on the steering wheel while rocking it back and forth slightly. If this doesn't work, STOP.......buy a membership in a gym, rinse and repeat.

The reson you only loosen the nut is that if you removed it, when the steering wheel pops loose, it'll get you a Mike Tyson punch to the chin.

This works very well. I have removed hundreds of steering wheels this way. If it just won't budge, have someone lightly tap on the shaft with a ball peen hammer while you give it the "Gung Ho!"