Ford 3000 Steering Wheel Removal

RickandTinaWms · Sep 29, 2019

Hello,

I am trying to remove the manual steering gear on our 1967 Ford 3000.

I am unable to remove the nut in the center of the steering wheel from the shaft. The nut is loose and spins freely, but won't screw all of the way off.

Can someone help me know what to try next please?

Thank you,
Rick

DJ54 · Oct 1, 2019

If the center cap was not on the steering wheel, there is I suppose there's a chance the threads on the end of the shaft have been damaged. Run the nut down some, and look closely at them. If they are, more than likely right where the thread starts, you can take a 3 cornered file, and dress that spot up. Then try backing the nut off again. If it stops again, try turning it a bit like tightening it a bit, then back off, until you hit the tough spot, repeatedly, making the nut "re-cut" the threads. Don't put a lot of pressure on it, but just keep working it with a little pressure when you get to the tough spot. Use a bit of penetrate, or light oil to float any chips of the threads out after a couple times, then wipe with a rag of some sort to clean it up. It shouldn't take long, and you'll notice the wrench turning a little further each time.

Crossing the part number to TISCO parts, the description shows it to be a 3/4-20 UNEF Unified Extra Fine Thread, not a fine thread, you'd find in a common tap & die set to chase the threads. Although you can easily find that die, they look to be $10-$12. Other places are showing 11/16-20 NF. A new nut through FNH is $19.08. Aftermarket one's around $8.