Steering Wheel Removal Nightmare

[Lfdfireman]

Ok gang......I replaced my old steering wheel on my SH with a near mint one I pulled off of a parts SH. This was an absolutely painful project as the old one just did not want to come off without a fight. After breaking a pulley and heat not budging it, I finally took a grinder to it and beat it off. I had soaked it for weeks with PB Blaster and several other products as well. I cleaned up the shaft and got the replacement wheel on, not without a fight to beat it on but it did go. My big heartache now is, due to my stupidity, I dinged up a few of the threads and I am unable to get the nut back on. My question for you folks is, what tool can I use to re-thread or straighten those threads out? They are just on the end of the shaft, not the entire thing. I figured there had to be some tool to use for that. After all that work and I got sloppy and stupid.....appreciate any suggestions!

 

[504]

The cheapest and most used thread restorer I have, is two thread files, one standard and one metric. It might be easier to take the wheel back off so you can get a straight shot at the threads. The files have 8 different pitches on each one,you just lay the tool against the shaft threads till you find the ones that match. Then start with about three good threads and file the one bad one,working your way around and you will cut out the bad and leave the good. Mine came with a set of thread chasers and I really use the files more than the chasers. You can find them online easily.

 

[SDE]

This is from left field. Do you have a second nut that will fit on the shaft? If you do, cut it open on one of the flats. Spread it a enough to slip it over the shaft. Now lightly clamp the nut shut and turn it back off the shaft. Might work. If you only damaged the last thread or two, a three cornered file could be used to relieve the thread in that one spot. The best option is the thread file. I had one once.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

Depending on the nature of the damage, saw off the last thread or two with a hack saw. Much easier to dress the end of the shaft without having to file off a lot of excess metal. File the end smooth and add a little chamfer on the threads and it will be good as new.

 

[fixerupper]

You can use the hacksaw to try to clean up the threads.

 

[wore out]

I believe the thread is 3/4"-16 NF.

If that is correct that would be a common die size/easy to find.

 

[Janicholson]

I also own thread files they work wonders and ar much less expensive than a die. Jim

 

[caterpillar guy]

If you have jammed the threads more than likely the end of the shaft is swaged slightly too. Just us a grinder to remove the end with a cut off wheel or grinder at an angle for sort of a chamfer this will both fix the threads and remove the swaged portion of the shaft to a size that will fit.

 

[gene bender]

The only way would be remove the new wheel and take the whole shaft and put into a lathe so you can champfer the end enough for the nut to go on

 

[Duner Wi]

I have done a few times like SDE said. But I take hacksaw and cut 3 slots across the threads so it will tidy up threads when you back nut off shaft.

 

[MARK ROBKE]

I agree with the thread file. Mark.

 

[HenryO]

I also used a die threader to clean up the threads on an H and a Super A. Works great.