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Steering column spline repair?

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J

Jimflorida

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My Bugeye came to me as a non-runner and had no steering wheel (among other things). I just got a stock steering wheel and was looking to fit it. But the steering column spline where the wheel mounts is very rough, from a combination of age, corrosion, and maybe somebody taking a pipe wrench to it. I have tried to clean it up a bit with a Dremel and a small cutting disc to re-form the grooves, with a small bit of success, but the wheel still does not slip on. Anybody have other ideas for repair or replacement? Jim
 
The steering wheels are/were a very tight fit. It should go on half way on the splines before becoming tight. What shape are the internal splines of the wheel?
 
The steering wheel splines look ok. The steering column splines look like someone had partially damaged them at some point. I'll keep trying to clean them up. I noticed that none of the suppliers carry the column itself, so I guess replacement is not an option.
 
You need a thread file. 8" long, 4 sides, 8 different thread pitches. I found one at Sears Hardware years ago and it will work to reshape the threads.
 
Never knew there was such a thing. I've learned something new again. I'll see if Sears still carries it. Jim
 
Jim_Gruber said:
You need a thread file. 8" long, 4 sides, 8 different thread pitches.
Click to expand...

Poor man's die set. Great tool. I use mine for all sorts of stuff.
 
Do you have a pic showing the spline condition? If they are bad, have you thought about just buying a used steering column? I see these on Ebay every once in a while. There are a number of sellers that also have independent businesses. I have gotten a few hard to get parts I needed this way. Just a thought if cleaning up the splines does not work for you.
Kevin
 
I have a spare. Shipping may be a bit of an issue due to shape.
 
Miss Agatha had the fancy file treatment. Those columns are real soft material.
 
Got the file from Sears! Now i'll see if I can put it to good use. Thanks to all. Jim
 
Hope it woks. I managed to trash the threads pretty well when I tried to reinstall the steering wheel on Bugsy to get whell on straight. DPO had one huge lock washer on there that I thried to reinstall the wheel with. result partially stripped threads. I was able to clean up and reinstall with help of the thread file and threw away the lock washer. In Locktite I trust. Have since found another steering column for a '68 that is on the "Roundtoit" List.

An issue is separating a trashed steering wheel from a good column. Note to self, time to start PB Blaster soaking on the column and see if I can get it to come apart.
 
Thanks for the offer, Ray. I'll let you know if i am not able to make this one work. Jim
 
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