What size are the holes in steering wheel for pulling it?

cdherman · Post by **cdherman** » August 19, 2007, 8:47 pm

I think the subject about says it. I tried all over to find the answer by searching.

I have a steering puller and the bolts seemed a little tight, but I figured it was just crud, so I horsed them in a little ways, but not too far.

And then they pulled out when I gave the puller some torque.

So, I either used the wrong bolts or I didn't put them in far enough. In any case, I need to chase the threads with a tap and try again and I want to be certain what size is correct.

So who knows?

Thanks fellas.....

FORDBOYpete · Post by **FORDBOYpete** » August 19, 2007, 8:54 pm

5/16 X 24 is standard on most FoMoCo wheel hubs prior to '79 Dave

FBp

cdherman · Post by **cdherman** » August 19, 2007, 9:11 pm

Great. Too bad the hardware store is closed. I buggered the bolts up as well, so I am going to chase the threads in the holes and find some nice new bolts tomorrow, and perhaps I can get that bugger off. Tried beating on it a little, but that was fruitless and I was afraid I'd mushroom the shaft (yes, I had the nut backed off, so that it would protect the threads, but even so, it wasn't moving.......

The wheel in question is from a column that I liberated last week. The wheel is in decent shape, so I hate to ruin it with my inept techniques.

ezernut9mm · Post by **ezernut9mm** » August 19, 2007, 10:46 pm

i have a universal puller with three different sets of bolts if you want to use it. it worked for my 76 f150 and should work for your application.

cdherman · Post by **cdherman** » August 19, 2007, 11:03 pm

Interesting...

Since Pete's post, I went out and chased the threads with a 5/16x24 tap. Worked fine.

Then I looked at my "universal puller". It did not have 5/16x24 (fine) bolts with it. Does yours?

I wonder how many other folks have threaded a 5/16 coarse (which is what my "universal puller" came with) and got the wheel off and just assumed that the threads were getting a little old.

I recall now that I had some trouble with taking a wheel off 4 years ago as well, when I originally bought the set.

It should be cried from the mountains that ford uses a 5/16x24 bolt and that at least some "universal pullers" ain't very universal.......

You learn new stuff all the time......

Thanks for the offer -- I think I am all set, except for a trip to the hardware store.

After that all I need is the wiring harness plug and bracket that holds it all to the dash. Fraid I'll need to do some junk yarding for that stuff.

FORDBOYpete · Post by **FORDBOYpete** » August 20, 2007, 1:32 pm

FWIW Dave,
I replaced all my "pulling bolts with A&N if I can find 'em long enough, otherwise I use grade #8s. But all the bolts that come with those Univ Pullers are soft & stretch or strip at some point. Since Bolts are cheaper than Strg wheel hubs I've been collecting bolts as I go along & haven't hurt a threaded boss in years now. :lol:

Another hint is use a thick stainless washer between the pull bolt head & your puller & you won't gore or gouge it up. . .

Also I've learned to tap the holes out before I try to thread anything into them, I have a bottoming tap, but a regular 5/16X24 with the taper ground off will work just fine. Pre Tapping is critical to me, 'specially on the Older ones. You don't want to know why I have come to go through all that, or perhaps you already have a good Idea and almost do know. :thumright:

The other thing I have learned is lubricate freely B4 threading in!

Once you have good tension on the bolts by tightening the center bolt, take a 16 or 20 oz Ballpeen & give center pressure bolt of puller a "smart" dead blow, whack on the top. The wheel should "POP" loose right then.

Metric Wheels give me fits, my industrial Fastener supply house always
"Raggs" on me when I come looking for wierd metric bolts for doing stuff like this. . . .

FBp

cdherman · Post by **cdherman** » August 20, 2007, 9:56 pm

The wheel came off nice and smooth this evening, with the correct 5/16x24 bolts.

Unfortunately, the PO had removed the wheel once with a hammer and the end of the steering shaft is mushroomed some (no, I did NOT bang on it that hard).

Oh, Pete, great guru of all things Ford, tell me what the threads are on the steering shaft so can get a die and clean up those threads as well. They are fine for sure, some sort of "really fine" Grrrrrrr...

FORDBOYpete · Post by **FORDBOYpete** » August 21, 2007, 7:30 am

Dave, I'm not really sure, except I know it's a Standard, NFT type, machine thread. :hm:

If you have a local "fastener jobber" or Nut, Bolts & Screws store walk in with the
Nut and have them check it with a thread gauge.
You'll probably need to buy a die that size anyway. . :roll:

I would guess it's a 3/4 NFT (National Fine Thread), if I had to tho. :thumright:

FBp

Ford4jack · Post by **Ford4jack** » August 21, 2007, 9:24 am

Might could use a thread restoring file on it.

There cost is about the same as a large die and are handy to have around.
You get 4 thread sizes per file and they work well.

They make a handy thread gauge also.

cdherman · Post by **cdherman** » September 22, 2007, 8:05 pm

Just trying to finish some old threads. Question was the bolt size and thread count of the steering shaft, 65-78.

The correct answer is:

5/8" NF That's 18 TPI

Finally got my threader a week or so ago and got them all cleaned up.

6166 Junkyard Dog · September 22, 2007, 8:29 pm

I use the bolts that holds the fan blade/spacer on which is 5/16 fine thread

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » September 23, 2007, 12:48 pm

read thru the entire post but that was the first thing i thought of too.

66fordtrucknut · Post by **66fordtrucknut** » September 24, 2007, 5:06 am

I have a snap-on rethreader kit that covers alot of metric and american threads fine and course, saved me many times, they don't cut new threads but restore the old ones.
Charlie