RT hub and steering shaft assembly seems crazy tight.

[Windsorpower]

I’m ready to attach my RT hub (and NRG adapter) onto the upper steering shaft. The fitment seems incredibly tight…as in “This thing will never come apart again.” Any advice appreciated.

Related question: Can the entire hub/upper shaft be pulled out of the car once finished? It’s just set screws and spring washers holding it in, right?

[phileas_fogg]

I can't speak to the fit of the RT hub, but yes; the upper shaft & wheel can be removed as an assembly. A common mistake folks make is they forget about the 2nd set screw holding the shaft in place.


John

[JMD]

I received the advice of fitting it all together but leave out the spring washers until you are ready for final assembly. Of course I heard that after already installing the shaft with the spring washers... I think removing the upper shaft even with the spring washers is easier than trying to separate the steering wheel from the hub once torqued down.

[JohnK]

If you’re talking about fitting the FFR-supplied hub that you sent to Russ to machine onto the upper shaft, yes that can be very tight. You want it to be a pretty tight fit with no slop but not ridiculously tight. I used a little fine grit sandpaper to debur the edges and dress the end of the upper shaft where it fits into the hub and it went together a lot better after that. As others said, you can remove the hub and upper shaft as a unit. Just don’t put the wavy washers in place until you’re putting it together for the final time.

[Windsorpower]

Thanks the replies, everyone

[edwardb]

Just to make sure -- the inner and outer steering shafts should go together tight enough to not have slop. But should go together without major effort including hammering (or whatever) them together as some have done and regretted it. Make sure they're clean, no burrs, even a little polishing or emory cloth if needed. The wavy Belleville washers should take up any remaining slack. Keep in mind, those two pieces are supposed to collapse in case of an accident. Some question about how effective that would be. But also an ongoing maintenance issue if forced together. The hub, on the other hand, is a force fit. Designed that way. The retaining bolt is normally required to seat it all the way down. Also common for a gear or wheel puller to get it back off. Totally normal and what you want for that piece. Neither the RT turn signal assembly or the added NRG quick release should affect the fit of either the steering shaft or hub.

[Windsorpower]

Yep, used the Allen bolt to draw the upper shaft to the hub. Worked great and I probably didn’t even need to have the shaft at 6 degrees Fahrenheit!