The Ford Barn

Russell Reay · 08-07-2022, 10:13 AM

It has been a year since I removed the steering wheel, and time to re-install. I screwed the nut down snug, but the wheel is till sloppy, as if I need a washer. There is nothing in the red book or any of the catalogs indicating a washer. Do I just keep tightening ?

Mike Peters · 08-07-2022, 10:28 AM

Do you have the 7 tooth steering sector with the splines? Wear causes the splines to wear, which causes the slop that you see. Did you try a washer to see if that helps?

Mike Peters · 08-07-2022, 10:30 AM

Wear causes the splines to wear? DUH. Should say "splines wear over time".

Big hammer · 08-07-2022, 11:06 AM

You could use a large socket that fits over the shaft threads and tap on the hub, I wouldn’t force the wheel down with the nut, you may strip the shaft threads, the nut only keeps the wheel tight

Cape Codder · 08-07-2022, 11:28 AM

Is the Key in if it's a "30-"31? Don't know anything about a 7 tooth shaft!

Russell Reay · 08-07-2022, 12:14 PM

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It is a two tooth unit (1930), the key is in, and the threads are in good shape. I definitely do not want to strip the threads, therefore my question. The steering box has been totally disassembled, cleaned, several new parts installed (but not the worm), and reassembled and adjusted per instructions. I have no suspicion that there is anything amiss with the box, but don't want to screw up the horn or horn rod by adding a washer.

nkaminar · 08-07-2022, 08:06 PM

Loose nut behind the wheel. I have seen a lot of those in the DC area.

Russell Reay · 08-07-2022, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar

Loose nut behind the wheel. I have seen a lot of those in the DC area.

I can tell from here that there are 535 of them.

supergnat · 08-07-2022, 08:59 PM

You might want to check the key slots on the wheel and the steering shaft. You may have cleaned out the goo that made it tight in the past or perhaps you grabbed the wrong key.

Chuck Sea/Tac · 08-07-2022, 09:32 PM

Are all of the threads being utilized? With the wheel off, can you run the nut until you’re out of threads?

katy · 08-08-2022, 10:32 AM

Whatever you do, don't overtighten the nut or you'll have a heck of a time trying to remove the wheel next time.

BrianH · 08-08-2022, 10:51 AM

I have a 29 coupe with 7 tooth steering gear. It has a loud knocking sound at higher rpm's. Seems like it is at the upper end of the column. Also, steering wheel rocks on the shaft. It has about 3-4 inches of play so a rebuild is in its future.

nkaminar · 08-08-2022, 02:58 PM

Brian, Before you rebuild the box, try adjusting it and make sure everything is tight. One area that can cause a lot of play is the pitman arm on the shaft out of the box. The bolt/nut has to be really tight. Jack up the front end and move the front wheels back and forth and observe where the looseness is coming from. Your steering wheel should have zero play.

08-07-2022, 10:13 AM	#1
Russell Reay Senior Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: NH/ VT Posts: 334	Steering wheel nut It has been a year since I removed the steering wheel, and time to re-install. I screwed the nut down snug, but the wheel is till sloppy, as if I need a washer. There is nothing in the red book or any of the catalogs indicating a washer. Do I just keep tightening ?

08-07-2022, 10:28 AM	#2
Mike Peters Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South East Wisconsin Posts: 1,279	Re: Steering wheel nut Do you have the 7 tooth steering sector with the splines? Wear causes the splines to wear, which causes the slop that you see. Did you try a washer to see if that helps?

08-07-2022, 10:30 AM	#3
Mike Peters Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South East Wisconsin Posts: 1,279	Re: Steering wheel nut Wear causes the splines to wear? DUH. Should say "splines wear over time".

08-07-2022, 11:06 AM	#4
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,131	Re: Steering wheel nut You could use a large socket that fits over the shaft threads and tap on the hub, I wouldn’t force the wheel down with the nut, you may strip the shaft threads, the nut only keeps the wheel tight __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

08-07-2022, 11:28 AM	#5
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,262	Re: Steering wheel nut Is the Key in if it's a "30-"31? Don't know anything about a 7 tooth shaft! __________________ I don't care if the "A" Starts BUT sure WANT IT TO STOP!

08-07-2022, 12:14 PM	#6
Russell Reay Senior Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: NH/ VT Posts: 334	Re: Steering wheel nut Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) It is a two tooth unit (1930), the key is in, and the threads are in good shape. I definitely do not want to strip the threads, therefore my question. The steering box has been totally disassembled, cleaned, several new parts installed (but not the worm), and reassembled and adjusted per instructions. I have no suspicion that there is anything amiss with the box, but don't want to screw up the horn or horn rod by adding a washer.

08-07-2022, 08:06 PM	#7
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Steering wheel nut Loose nut behind the wheel. I have seen a lot of those in the DC area. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

08-07-2022, 08:59 PM	#9
supergnat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Palmyra, NJ Posts: 475	Re: Steering wheel nut You might want to check the key slots on the wheel and the steering shaft. You may have cleaned out the goo that made it tight in the past or perhaps you grabbed the wrong key.

08-07-2022, 09:32 PM	#10
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,354	Re: Steering wheel nut Are all of the threads being utilized? With the wheel off, can you run the nut until you’re out of threads?

08-08-2022, 10:32 AM	#11
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,044	Re: Steering wheel nut Whatever you do, don't overtighten the nut or you'll have a heck of a time trying to remove the wheel next time. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

08-08-2022, 10:51 AM	#12
BrianH Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Santa Ana, Cal 92704 Posts: 89	Re: Steering wheel nut I have a 29 coupe with 7 tooth steering gear. It has a loud knocking sound at higher rpm's. Seems like it is at the upper end of the column. Also, steering wheel rocks on the shaft. It has about 3-4 inches of play so a rebuild is in its future.

08-08-2022, 02:58 PM	#13
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Steering wheel nut Brian, Before you rebuild the box, try adjusting it and make sure everything is tight. One area that can cause a lot of play is the pitman arm on the shaft out of the box. The bolt/nut has to be really tight. Jack up the front end and move the front wheels back and forth and observe where the looseness is coming from. Your steering wheel should have zero play. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.