Adjustable Steering column

[Martec]

Hi
I have purchased a R/H drive adjustable steering column so I can convert my L/H drive car to R/H drive. The car is a 1964 BJ8. I have a small problem being that the spline for the steering wheel are very tight and will not allow the steering wheel to slide on, let alone be movable for adjusting. The measurment on the old L/H comumn is .571 inch and the new one is .575 inch. As the column came from the UK it is a bit far to send it back (this would be the last resort). Has anyone had a similar problem and can it be rectified without returning the column.

Thanks
Mark

 

[IanIrving]

Don't know for sure it will work but I'd try cooling the splines on the shaft with a bag of ice and heating gently the splines in the wheel. If it works you are set to go though of course once on, it's on.

Ian

 

[elrey]

 

[zblu]

Thats about 4 thou over, same as the water pump shaft I recently bought,
Just a thought, could you "sand" both faces so as to take the spikes off slightly?

 

[Cottontop]

I would also count the splines on the shaft and in the wheel just to make sure that it WILL go on after you try what the others have suggested to knock a few thous. off the interference.

Tim

 

[Martec]

The supplier in the U.K. said that according to the machinist that made the column I should be able to "breach the splines" by pressing it on and it will fit tightly. As it is an adjustable it should slide easliy like the original does.
Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks
Mark

 

[Keoke]

HI is your steering wheel an original or an aftermarket replacement????

 

[Martec]

Keoke
It's the original steering wheel. I checked to make sure the internal splines are ok and the hole is round etc. From what I can see there is about 2 thou difference.
Cheers
Mark

 

[Keoke]

OK I know there is a difference between the original and aftermarket wheels. Consequently if you can borrow an aftermarket wheel it may fit. I have had aftermarket wheels which were too lose and would not lock on to original steering shafts.--Keoke

 

[Martec]

Ok well I got this one fixed. Just a matter of patience and pushing it on as far as it will go and taking it off over and over. At one stage it would actually slid on back to front easily but still not the right way round. I think the problem was the small splined area at the top of the column just before the snap ring grove was little tight but after quite a few attempts it finally slid on nicely.