Steering Shaft

[Ridgefield]

Hi All,

Lo-Boy 185

If you had a chance to read my post in the Introductions section, then you are aware that I messed up the threads on the steering shaft while attempting to remove the steering wheel so I could access under the dash. Long story there and I did take my time, using pb buster and heat. But either ways it's done now, just need to fix it.

I was able to locate a replacement shaft (Thank you HamiltonBobs) and it is Now I need some opinions on next steps.

I figure I have 3 choices, no particular order and open to additional options:
- Pull the steering housing and tube assembly
- Use an outside thread chaser and hope I can get retainer bolt back on
- Cut off the threaded section and weld on a bolt thread (this too would remove the housing etc. for welding)


Thought I'd post it out here and see if anyone had an opinion or alternate thoughts.

Thanks All!

[Eugene]

Touch up the banged up area so you can put a nut on a couple of threads. The nut only holds the steering wheel in place.

Try that first before purchasing the steering shaft.

[Ridgefield]

Thanks Eugene, definitely thought about banging it back into shape. I don't have a die that size so was thinking of using the outside thread chaser to try to recut the threads.

Another thought occurred to me at lunch today, To your point the nut really doesn't do much. Why not just drill a hole though the threads and put a washer and cotter pin to keep it down.

Thoughts?

[Eugene]

Steering wheel is a press fit. Some take a puller to remove. Others, you can use your kness to pop loose.

Grinder to remove the burr?

Something will work. I don't think there is a need to purchase another shaft. Besides that, you need to remove the entire steering sector to get to the shaft.

[Jim Becker]

Do the damaged threads need to be there to hold the retainer nut, or are they exposed after a complete install? You may be able to get a die of the proper size that is made in 2 halves and fits into a special handle. You may be able to put it together on the good lower threads and clean up the threads starting on the bottom. If no die, get a new jam nut that fits the thread. I think it may be a 5/8 fine. Cut it in half through two opposite flats. Put it over the lower part of the threads and clamp the 2 halves together (not too tight). Vise Grips might work if they open far enough. Unscrew the pieced together nut over the damaged threads.

[Bob McCarty]

The top edge looks flared out. I think you'd need to insert a rod of the proper size, squeeze the flare against the rod and then try one of Jim's suggestions. This happened years ago with a 154 that was Raymond's. He removed the shaft, a friend welded it up and it was rethreaded. A lot of work back then...

[Ridgefield]

@Jim the damaged threads are exposed after the retainer nut is installed, so i could cut the damaged area off completely then attempt to rethread it.

@Bob its flared out pretty bad, I like the suggestion of sticking a rod down in there to get it back into shape.


Any thoughts on just boring a hold and using a washer/cotter pin to hold it on?

[Bob McCarty]

.Any thoughts on just boring a hold and using a washer/cotter pin to hold it on?

I think that would work fine, although the cosmetics may be great. You might be able to do that and find a cap to put over it (like a small axle cap off of a fertilizer spreader, etc.).

[Don McCombs]

The nut keeps the wheel tight in the splines. If the cotter pin doesn’t do the same, the resulting play may damage those splines. I’d find a way to make the nut work. I’d grind the shaft down until I could get a die to catch. Hardware stores have dies.

[dgrapes59]

I'm not familiar with the 185, but had a similar problem with a Cub Cadet steering shaft. I cleaned up the mushroomed end with an angle grinder, taking some of the length off. Found an appropriate sized bolt to fit inside the shaft and threaded it. A washer or two, bolt and done. As others mentioned, just need to keep the steering wheel snug, so doesn't need much depth tapped inside. That would be my suggestion, assuming you have a tap and bolt and the shaft hole is accommodating.

Good luck,

[Gary Dotson]

David is thinking along the same line as me. Tap the inside of the shaft (drill if needed) and use a bolt, maybe a spacer, washers, etc. and toss the nut into the parts bin.

[Duner]

I think this will work, it did work for me on my 154. I used a nut that fits the shaft. Grade 8 or so. I split it with die grinder and cut off wheel on one side and part way thru on the other so you can spread it apart a bit, Then I hack sawed a couple of cuts across the threads so it would work somewhat like a die. Spread it apart a bit to get it down over the threads . Use great big vice grips and clamp it to nut, Back it off and it might repair your threads. You might have to tidy up yours on one side on top as it is quite flared. If i remember correctly the threads on mine were not terribly hard.