Steering column spline repair?

[Jimflorida]

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

 

[Billm]

What year is your car?

 

[Biff]

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?

 

[Jimflorida]

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.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

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.

 

[Jimflorida]

Never knew there was such a thing. I've learned something new again. I'll see if Sears still carries it. Jim

 

[Guest]

You need a thread file. 8" long, 4 sides, 8 different thread pitches.

Poor man's die set. Great tool. I use mine for all sorts of stuff.

 

[ichthos]

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

 

[Whitephrog]

I have a spare. Shipping may be a bit of an issue due to shape.

 

[jlaird]

Miss Agatha had the fancy file treatment. Those columns are real soft material.

 

[Jimflorida]

Got the file from Sears! Now i'll see if I can put it to good use. Thanks to all. Jim

 

[Jim_Gruber]

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.

 

[Jimflorida]

Thanks for the offer, Ray. I'll let you know if i am not able to make this one work. Jim