Yes I was able to finally get the wheel off. Thought it would never budge. While it was under tension with the puller on, I decised as a last resort to use a propane torch to heat the steering wheel around the shaft. This didn't take long for it to go POP! And then it was off. Kinda wish I did this first.
Where is your vid located?
-Mike
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06:48 PM
buddycraigg Member
Posts: 13602 From: kansas city, mo Registered: Jul 2002
ok, it's too close for me to make up my mind. it's either 9/16-18 or 14-1.50
if I had to pick one, i would go with 14-1.50. for two reasons. 1 there are VERY few bolts on a fiero that are SAE 2 the pitch angle are very close, so it was really a 9/16 but you use a 14mm die on it, you will simply be cutting slightly deeper threads in to the shaft. and by the looks of your old threads, that may not be a bad idea.
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08:09 PM
perceptionist Member
Posts: 296 From: Spokane WA USA Registered: Jan 2006
ok, it's too close for me to make up my mind. it's either 9/16-18 or 14-1.50
if I had to pick one, i would go with 14-1.50. for two reasons. 1 there are VERY few bolts on a fiero that are SAE 2 the pitch angle are very close, so it was really a 9/16 but you use a 14mm die on it, you will simply be cutting slightly deeper threads in to the shaft. and by the looks of your old threads, that may not be a bad idea.
Excellent! Thank you for that info. Looks like we both simultaneously posted... Off to home depot...
-Mike
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08:11 PM
buddycraigg Member
Posts: 13602 From: kansas city, mo Registered: Jul 2002
Yes the sleeve on the lock ring depressor is double sided and accommodates the exact 2 sizes you mentioned.
The places I went to today did not have the size I needed either. There is another place I am told will have it for sure, but the are not open till Monday
If I am not too lazy tomorrow I might wander over to the wrecking yards and pull a column to play with. If I cant repair this shaft, I can just swap it out.
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05:59 PM
Dec 16th, 2007
kyote Member
Posts: 1232 From: Germantown, Wisconsin - Metro Milwaukee Area Registered: Sep 2001
My 2 cents worth...if you are gonna be going to a wrecking yard.. I would swap out the column and maybe save some headaches later..... Maybe take your steering wheel puller with ya...and remove the wheel before ya leave the yard...
------------------ '86 Fastback SE 5 spd -'94 HD Electra Glide Cassic -'99 Chevy K-1500 Z-71
Ok, I got out my thread gages and dies and started measuring, the steering shaft is most definitely M14x1.5 metric. My recommendation would be to replace the upper steering shaft rather than try to fix that one, it's a critical safety item for one and it's unlikely that you could successfully repair those threads for less cost and time it would take to replace the shaft entirely.
JazzMan
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08:58 AM
josef644 Member
Posts: 6939 From: Dickinson, Texas USA Registered: Nov 2006
Mine was like that when I bought my car. I just replaced the whole thing. If you swap them out be sure that you get one with the correct wiper switch as the same one you have now. Other wise you have a new headache
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10:15 AM
perceptionist Member
Posts: 296 From: Spokane WA USA Registered: Jan 2006
The snow is melting so I might make a trip to the yards later in the week.
I plan to check my own, but just for a second opinion, is it fairly easy to just remove the entire column including steering wheel and both upper & lower steering shafts as one complete unit?
At a quick glance today, (if I remember correctly) it appeared to be 6 nuts (4 near the top and 2 near the bottom) and the bolt that clamps the lower steering shaft to the universal joint. Also just unplug the plugs for the wiper switch, turn signal switch and hi beam switch.
You got it, that's what it takes to swap out a column. Be sure to get a column with the same kind of wiper and ignition switch, and the manual and auto ignition switches don't interchange. You can swap your existing ignition switch over to the new column without a problem however.
JazzMan
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06:46 PM
Dec 18th, 2007
perceptionist Member
Posts: 296 From: Spokane WA USA Registered: Jan 2006
I recently put on a grant steering wheel, and I lost the nut so I called a local pontiac dealer and the parts dude told me exactly what nut i needed. Anyways, It's a 14mm, and the pitch is either 1.5 or 1.25, though i'm pretty sure it was 1.25. You better check for yourself.
