Steering Column Nut/Thread Stuffed

[PULSE]

The nut + threaded part on the top of my steering column (where it bolts the steering wheel/boss kit on) is fairly fucked, the threads seem to be stripped as I've got the nut halfway on and its stuck. The nut needs to be tightened a few more turns until it actually holds down the boss kit properly but it wont go any further. Now I would normally take it off, use a thread restorer on the stud and replace the nut, but.....I can't get the nut OFF either. Its completely stuck now.

I've asked this question of a few people and the main response I've gotten is to use an angle grinder/dremel to get the nut off. Now a few problems with this - I have the boss kit covering the sides of the nut so I only have access to the top. And anyway how would I grind the nut off without ruining the thread on the column? Am I supposed to use the angle grinder/dremel just to weaken the nut on the outside so I can screw it off? If this is the case I might just use a drill and put multiple holes in the outside of the nut to weaken it.

I think I could maybe get the nut off if I forced it a lot with a breaker bar or something, I havent tried this yet though as it seems like I would be putting too much strain on my suspension/steering components. I would try it if there was some kind of clamp or something I could use to hold the column straight while I try to unscrew it, so that the stress wasnt put on the other components.

Any ideas, please enlighten me!?? + rep for everyone who helps

[IN 05 NT]

try a thread file,

i think your major problem is the space you have inside the boss kit,

get a can of CUTTING oil, spray it on, work the nut back and fourth, till it cuts its way off,

sounds like you cant do more damage then there already is.

blake

edit, once you get it off, go over it all with a thread file, and get a new nut,

[off-road]

If you have a rattle gun use plenty of CRC and undo 1/2 turn off 1/4 turn on until you get it off.
Restore the male thread as best you can and use a NEW nut.I would use loctite and put it back together.Provided it will tighten without stripping the thread it will be OK but it might be there for ever.
If the thread is badly damaged where the nut stopped you might be able to pack it out with washers provided you still have a full nut width of mail thread left.

[PULSE]

Well I had another look at it and noticed that theres no thread to put the cutting oil on as the nut wasnt on far enough if that makes sense. Anyway, after peoples suggestions of grinding it off, and with the problem of the boss kit surrounding it, I decided to drill holes into the nut to weaken it enough for it to loosen and hopefully come off.

Well it did come off but it took 6 full length holes!



I apologise for the shit photos, it proved fairly difficult to take close ups. As you can see the thread is pretty much fucked.





Now what can I do to fix this thread? You mentioned a thread file? I don't know what that is but I'll have a google, will it be able to fix this thread or is it too far gone?

Cheers, matt

[ONCE-NA]

It looks like its the first 3 threads that are stuffed yeah? I'd get a die to suit the thread and run that down it, get a new nut and anti rattle washer and put that on, the nut may go past the damaged thread section I rekon so you should still get full thread engagement.

[ONCE-NA]

If you have a vernier you should be able to measure it accurately enough to tell the fastener joint what size die you need

[IN 05 NT]

thread file........http://cgi.ebay.com.au/T-E-Tools-USA...QQcmdZViewItem

but a die would be better,

[ONCE-NA]

Or get the nut off another car and take that in to get them to find a matching die,

[PULSE]

Ive got the nut off another celica waiting to go on, so I'm guna take that down and get the appropriate die.

The only thing I'm worried about, is when I put the die on and start cutting a new thread in, since there is pretty much no existing thread where the top 3 or so used to be, when I cut through that portion and get to the existing thread to clean it up, it probably wont line up will it? Therefore further fucking my thread?

[off-road]

Grind/file of the stuffed bit so the die nut does not engage until it gets to the bit of thread that is actually restorable.

[big wad]

don,t get a die , get whats called a die nut ,cause you don,t need a die spanner then . it will find its own way onto the thread with enough force, and there is no split in a die nut like a normal die so you will get the correct depth and pitch. good luck. cheers bigwad

[PULSE]

I ended up getting a die nut, and after grinding down the shit part of the thread at the end I still couldnt get it to line up properly. So I used a hacksaw to cut off the shit part of the thread, and the fresh bolt screwed on nice and smoothly straight away without even using the die nut. PROBLEM SOLVED!

Thanks for all the help guys.