Topic: 1967 Steering Wheel Nut Specs

[kkupec02]

The person who had car before me jammed on a steering wheel nut and wrecked the threads of the steering wheel spline that I have to redo. I got 2 nuts from NPD which were advertised as the correct 5/8-18. I only have tap and die sets up to 1/2 inch so bought a 5/8-18 tap and die. The nuts came in and the 5/8-18 die doesn't work in them. I bought 2 nuts in case I had to make one of them into a die, but would prefer to use a die manufactured for that purpose. I guess I could always go to Home Depot and test fit some bolts into the NPD nuts. Anyone know what the size of those nuts are? Thanks.

[kkupec02]

Sorry, should have clarified that I would need the thread count as well as the nut size. Thanks

[1967 eight barrel]

The nut is 15/16". The thread is 5/8 -11NC

[6t9m1]

The die you specified is correct for the 67 Mustang steering shaft. (5/8 UNF 18 TPI.)
So the nut would be the same (5/8 UNF 18 TPI.)

[kkupec02]

The OD and ID is correct the way NPD lists it. The thread count listed by NPD of 18 doesn't easily fit the 5/8-18 tap without actually re threading it. I believe that the thread count may not be 18. I'll try the 11 mentioned above. But, I guess it's best to try some 5/8 thread sizes at Home Depot.

[kkupec02]

Actually, I am using a tap and die 5/8-18 NC. Is there a 5/8-18 NF that I should be using? I thought NF and NC could be ignored if the thread count was listed as 18.

[6t9m1]

Double check the TPI count as 5/8 NC will have 11 TPI therefore causing your problem.

[67gta289]

I just measured two here and they are 18 threads per inch

[jwc66k]

I just measured two here and they are 18 threads per inch

Thank you for confirming part of the specification of the "Steering Wheel Nut" that Ford used. Of course you could have looked in the library under Mustang Hardware Spreadsheet 67-68 by application under "Steering Wheel-Shaft" and found the part number, thread diameter, thickness, wrench size, finish and a couple of other trivial items.

The person who had car before me jammed on a steering wheel nut and wrecked the threads of the steering wheel spline that I have to redo.

You might need to use a small watch file to dress up the threads. It's a tedious task but may be necessary.
Jim

[67gta289]

If buggered up you can use a thread chaser to dress it before using the die.  I find these more affective than a small file

[196667Bob]

All Steering Wheel Nuts for 1967 Mustangs (and for many years before and after) were Hardware Part Number 350983-S, This is a 5/8-18 nut, which requires a 15/16" wrench or socket. It is a plain(bare steel) finish. It is unique in that a "standard" 5/8-18 nut is 35/64" thick, but the steering wheel nut is only 5/16" thick.

It should be torqued to 20-30 ft-lbs, The Assembly Manual notes to add 2 drops of thread locker after torquing, to the juncture of the threads and nut.

Bob

[kkupec02]

Thanks. I saw in the library the 18 TPI, but the 18 TPI doesn't work. Therefore my issue. I went to Home Depot and tried the nut on 11 TPI and 18 TPI to no avail. They had no other threads to try. The nut must be "off" a little for the 18 TPI die to catch. I guess I'll have to take one of the nuts from NPD and take a slice out of it making my own die. Not as effective as a regular die though.

[196667Bob]

I would do as John suggested, and use the thread chaser. The shaft and nut are and should be, 5/8-18. There is no other option. Making a different thread risks the steering wheel coming off. I don't think you want that to happen.

Bob

[67gta289]

+1 chase the threads.  Then finish off with the die.  Thread chasers are not hard to come by nor are they expensive. 

The difference between 11 and 18 TPI is night and day

[kkupec02]

Thanks. I have a 5/8-18 NC tap and die that I realize doesn't work. I'll look for a 5/8-18 NF to see if that does the trick. I thought that with 18 per inch, there was only one choice, NC. But, evidently not the case. The library and NPD just mentions 5/8-18.