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MG MGB Technical - Steering Wheel Nut

I have a problem inthat I have stripped some of the threads on my steering column shaft and may need to run a die nut in situ.

I have a new nut on order.

Can anyone tell me the correct thread of my nut and column shaft.Is it a 9/16 UNC OR UNF or is it larger?

1972 Chrome bumber GHD5 - 298525.

What are my options to ensure I can screw on the wheel nut?
G Hind

UNF I'd have said as it is steel on steel, UNC is usually used in aluminium and is obviously much coarser. However the thread is crucial where a die is concerned, and I have to say that if the column shaft has the stripped thread a die won't do anything for it. If it's the nut has stripped then it should be possible to pick the nut thread out of it, a die may end up cutting into the good shaft thread, and like a stripped shaft thread may not hold the wheel securely enough. I know its the splines that turn the shaft, so as long as you don't pull back on the wheel you *should* be OK, but even so :o(
PaulH Solihull

Would it be possible to'cut' the next size smaller and use the equivalent nut? What about some of these 'mobile' helicoil people could they be trusted to do a good repair? MIke
J.M. Doust

Never thought about helicoil being used for a male thread, I've only come across them being used in a stripped female (as it were).
PaulH Solihull

No you are quite right Paul, I was just thinking, these traders must have come across this problem what is their solution/ Not necessarily a helicoil. Incidentally, how does one 'clean' up splines? I found when putting an aftermarket steering wheel, first I cuold not get the original wheel off! Even witha piller. In the end I had commited myself and literally cur the old wheel off( oh, sacrilige!)Then the new wheel would not fully slide down the splines. I had not damaged them, I can only assume poor steering wheel splines, anyone come across this? Mike
J.M. Doust

I think I would try a thread file first. Less chance of totally buggering the thread!
Colin Parkinson

Steering columns are a minefield! There are at least two sizes of nuts on cars around this time, one is 9/16UNF and I think the other is 11/16UNF, and an unknown number of variant splines etc. People in the 67-70 range seem to have a lot of trouble with wheels & columns. If the wrong hub is forced onto a spline, you can expect subsequent fitting to be difficult or impossible. Counting splines and examination under a magnifying glass will generally tell you what is wrong. Some splines are straight and some are tapered.

FRM
FR Millmore

FRM, now I know. It turns out the wrong boss was on the column and although the splines have not been damaged, the boss and hence steering wheel was only held on by 2mm bearly of spline yikes! So I've ordered the correct boss for a 1972 GT, but you are right there are many listings, and some companies have discontinued their boss manufacture I hope I am not disappointed, I don't want to ditch the presen steering wheel. Mike
J.M. Doust

This thread was discussed between 07/09/2011 and 03/10/2011

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