Steering hub install

[David_L]

Before I sent my steering hub to Russ for the turn signal mod, I started to fit it on the shaft. It seemed to me that the hole was too small and it was actually pealing back some aluminum. I did have the flat spots lined up. When I was causing so much resistance trying to tap it on with a mallet I stoped trying to install.

Are the any tip or tricks for installing this? I just seems the hole in the hub is too small and I don't want to damage it, expecially after Russ Thomson modified it! Do in need to remove some material before trying again or just keep hammering?

Hard to see in pictures but you can see a small shoulder/scratch where I pushed in the shaft maybe an 1/8 inch.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=184689&d=1684440400

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=184688&d=1684440383

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=184687&d=1684440383

[edwardb]

It's a tight fit. As it should be. But don't hammer it! (Side note, that's rarely a good option for any assembly step. Just saying...) Get it lined up on the flat and hopefully started onto the shaft at least a little. Then use the retaining bolt to draw it in. It's a large Allen head hardened bolt and easily will handle the effort to install. Make sure there's a washer under it. You probably won't be able to get it back off unless you have a puller. This one from HF works for me. https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/auto-shop-tools/pullers/bolt-type-wheel-puller-set-62620.html

[rich grsc]

Also be sure there are no burs on the shaft, and it is clean and smooth

[Alec]

Hammering won't work, anyway, since the shaft will slide into the tube rather than the hub advancing onto the shaft. Mine was the same as yours, and the advice above is what worked for me as well. I haven't yet torqued it all the way, but it is on there pretty well, certainly ok for go-karting. Haven't needed to pull it back off yet, hoping I don't.

[RJD]

If you have some scrap metal laying around, you can make a steering wheel puller.

184724

[ydousurf]

Like probably many, mine was also not playing nice either. I noted the marks on the inner aluminum hub. I got some speciality files; a petite set with various curves and straights, along a smaller round, flat and triangular file. I carefully filed on the "flat sides & corner" of the inner hub. Essentially where it was binding from the curve to the flat sides. I also used very fine sandpaper 1000-1500grit and sanded the steering shaft a little bit too. My steering hub slides on and now seats good. I still need to tap it with a rubber mallet to get it off, which is perfect. I found in getting the dash all set for accuracy and fit, it is very helpful to be able to remove it during that process. Being able to set your guages to the drivers view. So, don't make it too loose, though it shouldn't hurt once it is torqued down. It's just another hurdle to get over in the build. All the best!

Doug

[David_L]

Thanks guys! Great input! I really didn't want to say goodbye to my BFH but good riddance.. lol

I'm wondering now if a power steering pressing tool will work as it has a bearing for pressing on pulleys. Free rental at parts store. And I actually already have a puller that should work for removal.

[mrglaeser]

I haven't done the final assembly but when I was test fitting the hub I was having the same issue. I spent an hour or so wet sanding the shaft with the highest grit paper the hardware store had. This stopped the 'pealing' or gouging behavior. I used the same paper to sand the other end until the upper shaft easily (ish) slides into the lower shaft. I thought this would be the gentlest way to handle it. Seems to have worked for me.

[David_L]

I rented (again) the power steering puller installer from O'Reilly Auto Parts and it worked perfectly for pressing on the hub. hopefully this will help someone out when their turn comes up. The threads were the same and it has a bearing.

Before this I attemped to install the Russ Thompson Turn Signal and realzed the set screw threads were stripped! So now need to solve this as well.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=184815&d=1684862626

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=184816&d=1684862626