A cheap puller makes the job easier, but the wheel can usually be removed by hooking your knees behind it and tapping on the pre-loosened nut. However, this can damage tilt columns whose bearings & tilt mechanisms are known to be delicate. So a puller should be used whenever possible. Pre-'92 wheel hubs are threaded for 5/16"-24 pulling bolts.
Leaving the nut loose on the shaft does 2 things:
1) it prevents the push bolt from walking off the shaft, and
2) it prevents the steering wheel from flying at your face if you use a springy puller & the splines let go suddenly.
Apply anti-seize lube to the splines before reassembly.
See also:
.
