Steering Wheel retaining nut spinning

myshadowself · Apr 30, 2013

After replacing the trackrod/draglink ball joints and rebushing the radius arms (+ about £400 of other parts around the vehicle), the steering wheel was about 30° out. The tracking is spot on, so Mr Haynes-Manual suggested removing the steering wheel and resetting it on it's splines.

I removed the retaining nut easily enough, but couldn't get the steering wheel off the splines. Not having immediate access to a legged puller or much patience to wait, I had a brain wave - Add loads of washers and tighten the nut to pull it free from the splines.

Ok, I'm a right proper dickhead!

I've stripped either the threads of nut or the threads on the steering column. Hopefully it's the nut.

I have managed to wind it back so the nut is about halfway off the end of the column, but now it's just spinning.

I've tried small mole grips to twist and pull but that didn't work. Now I'm completely out of ideas.

If I had access I would cut the nut through and not bother you lot, put it's pretty tight in there.

Anyone got any suggestions? I do have access to just about any tool (eventually), so any idea is better than what I have.

Cheers

David Pye · Apr 30, 2013

Will a dremel get in and cut the nut off?

trax · Apr 30, 2013

myshadowself said:
After replacing the trackrod/draglink ball joints and rebushing the radius arms (+ about £400 of other parts around the vehicle), the steering wheel was about 30° out. The tracking is spot on, so Mr Haynes-Manual suggested removing the steering wheel and resetting it on it's splines.

I removed the retaining nut easily enough, but couldn't get the steering wheel off the splines. Not having immediate access to a legged puller or much patience to wait, I had a brain wave - Add loads of washers and tighten the nut to pull it free from the splines.

Ok, I'm a right proper dickhead!

I've stripped either the threads of nut or the threads on the steering column. Hopefully it's the nut.

I have managed to wind it back so the nut is about halfway off the end of the column, but now it's just spinning.

I've tried small mole grips to twist and pull but that didn't work. Now I'm completely out of ideas.

If I had access I would cut the nut through and not bother you lot, put it's pretty tight in there.

Anyone got any suggestions? I do have access to just about any tool (eventually), so any idea is better than what I have.

Cheers

Not sure how you thought adding washers would pull the wheel off

Btw, have you adjusted your drag link so the drop arm is in the correct position on the steering box? Then you adjust the steering wheel if needed.

keats · Apr 30, 2013

Get a puller, they're cheap enough

Gunny · Apr 30, 2013

You have probably stripped them both, socket on nut, large screw driver prizing the nut, think whatever you do now you are going to damage the wheel, column probably damaged anyway.

myshadowself · May 1, 2013

Thanks for the replies - I was expecting more of a **** take to be honest, you've all been very kind!

trax said:
Not sure how you thought adding washers would pull the wheel off

yeah, I'm not sure either - it was one of those days really... poured a full cup of tea all over myself, dropped my dinner, knacked my steering column - we've all had em!

trax said:
Btw, have you adjusted your drag link so the drop arm is in the correct position on the steering box? Then you adjust the steering wheel if needed.

Wasn't aware of that. I left the wheels forward when I lifted it, and just assumed the drop arm would be in the right place.

What is "the correct position on the steering box"?

trax · May 1, 2013

myshadowself said:
Thanks for the replies - I was expecting more of a **** take to be honest, you've all been very kind!

yeah, I'm not sure either - it was one of those days really... poured a full cup of tea all over myself, dropped my dinner, knacked my steering column - we've all had em!

Wasn't aware of that. I left the wheels forward when I lifted it, and just assumed the drop arm would be in the right place.

What is "the correct position on the steering box"?

Had days like that before, too often

cor, you need to check the manual, but iirc is roughly full lock left, then two turns right. The later steering boxes have a lil hole, so you crawl under and have a look at the back of the drop arm. Look for a notch and make sure it lines up with the hole. It should look slightly off from center when it's aligned.

That's the straight ahead on the box position, so you put your steering wheel straight to match that. Then you adjust the drag link till the wheels are straight. When you are driving down the road and adjust, you'll know if it needs a lil adjustment.

If the box isn't in the correct position, then it can cause excess wear, and in the correct position doesn't put load on it, if that makes sense.

have a read of the manual though, it describes it properly

Steering Wheel retaining nut spinning

myshadowself

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David Pye

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trax

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keats

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Gunny

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myshadowself

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trax

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