Hi all,

I'm still ticking along trying to put my car back together after the frame off. I recently rebuilt (upper/lower bearings, compression washer, etc...) the steering column in my 66'. I got the column cleaned, painted, and installed. Everything was going well... until I went to put the wheel back on. I used an impact wrench to draw the wheel onto the steering shaft splines. I've done this several times in the past and never had a problem. Prior to this time I was using an el-cheapo impact wrench that didn't have a lot of torque. I was using my fairly new Air-Cat impact wrench to put the wheel on this time. I got the wheel drawn down onto the splines and must have stayed on the trigger too long. I rolled the threads on the shaft. There is no way to rethread them with the original size/pitch a die, I already tried. There isn't enough material on the shaft. Does anyone know if I could have this shaft rethreaded somehow? I thought about maybe using the next smaller size (or maybe two sizes smaller) die and then using a smaller bolt and washer to secure the wheel. I may try a coarse thread of the same diameter or even a metric thread that is close in size. I'll have to mic the shaft to see what the actual diameter is. The wheel is a press fit, so the bolt doesn't really have any bearing on retaining the wheel as far as I can tell. Worse case scenario, are the steering shafts available through the aftermarket (I checked a few places, Year One, Ground Up, Johns Classics, etc... and didn't see any)? Used maybe?


Thanks for any suggestions.

Your 1966 Chevelle has a solid steering shaft. It might be possible for a company like Ididit or Flaming River to produce a replacement shaft. Their steering columns have to be very similar to the OEM parts.
JIML82

Ken, I might have a 66 steering shaft, I can check tomorrow if you would like.

Thanks for the replies. I skulled over this quite a bit. The original thread size is 1/2-20. I ran a 1/2-13 die on the shaft and was able to make some new threads with that as the threads are deeper on the coarse die. I was able to pull the wheel almost all the way down with a ratchet (no air wrench this time) before it also stripped. I then tried a #12mm metric with 1.5 threads, same thing. I suppose I could take the shaft to a machine shop and have it turned down on a lathe, but the next size would be 3/8" and the more I think about it the better I like the idea of having a big bolt holding that wheel on :)

I was able to call around and find a good used steering shaft. It's on the way from Ca. Thanks for the offer elcmaino66. My car has a 1 piece shaft (e.g., the rag joint coupler is not integral to the steering shaft).

This was an expensive lesson both in time spent and money. No more air wrenches for me!

:(
Kenny,
Another repair...could have easily had the damaged shaft welded up and the original size threads re-cut. Common repair done all the time.
BTW...next size down is 7/16-20

:(
Kenny,
Another repair...could have easily had the damaged shaft welded up and the original size threads re-cut. Common repair done all the time.
BTW...next size down is 7/16-20

:( I thought about that. I guess it would have to be plug welded? The steering shaft metal is actually really soft, I'm not sure if it's cast iron or what? I'm sure what you're saying is true, but in the end I'm not sure I want to drive around with a welded steering column (especially the way I intend to use the car). It would REALLY suck to have the steering wheel come off in your hand while cruising :)