How to guess size of a nut

[rchdrm]

I purchased a tilt colum from an individual on this site and after installing it I realized that it does not have the nut to hold the steering wheel on. Anyone got an idea about how and where to purchase one. I am guessing NAPA may have one but I am unsure what size and thread count. Help please. Thanks

[Longhorn Man]

is there a nut on your old column?

[jsbgump]

If I remember correctly it is 1/2 inch

[krue]

I was thinking 5/8" fine thread.

[rchdrm]

The old column's nut didn't fit. It was too small. Bought a 5/8 and 1/2 inch fine thread's from Lowes and the 1/2 was too small and the 5/8 was too big.
I am thinking about wrapping the bolt in playdo, split the playdo off and take it to a bolt shop just wanted to see what ideas this group had.

[krue]

1/2 too little, 5/8 too small, do they make a 9/16's?

[VetteVet]

Yes a 9/16 x 12 and a 9/16 x 18 Most of the wheel nuts I've seen are fine thread.

[Smitty]

9/16-18 would be the fine thread! But am not sure what size is required.

[toddtheodd]

mine was a 1/2 corse thread.

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by toddtheodd

mine was a 1/2 corse thread.

They are usually 1/2"x16 and they are 1/4 inch thick. which makes it hard to find at a normal hardware store. We are out of them but Rez Engineering has them. The std 1/2" course thread is 13 tpi. We sell just about every bolt and nut to 5/8" but we are out of these.

[wolfthing2000]

sounds like a special thread, so you have to buy replacement part. Kinda like Harley in the old days had a 1/4-24 thread!

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by wolfthing2000

sounds like a special thread, so you have to buy replacement part. Kinda like Harley in the old days had a 1/4-24 thread!

The only other size it could be is a 9/16-18 which is 13/16 in across the flats and is a standard thread but not as as easy to find
but i measured a used one I have and it says 16 not 18 unless the threads have stretched on it. Its also 13/16" across flats A 1/2-13 bolt will not go through it and a std 9/16-12 is a course thread so it won't even start. So its either a 9/16-18 or in between and as you say may be special.

[john]

My tilt is 9/16' fine thread. The standard columns are 1/2' fine thread.

[PanelDeland]

If the wheel is off go to your local hardware store.Usually Lowes or HD has the bolt/nut guage.They are simply a plastic piece with holes and tabs whose sizes correspond to bolt and nut sizes.They can be hung on the wall or toolbox for easy access.They also come in metric and 'Mellican.

[Smitty]

The only way to be sure of the threads is to use a thread pitch guage. It fits in the threads and will give you the number on the guage that fits. If I had a clue where mine might be I would check my spare tilt and know for sure.

[rchdrm]

It was a 9/16-18 and Lowes had one in stock. It is much thicker than needed but from what i am looking at it should not bother anything. Thanks for all the advice.

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by rchdrm

It was a 9/16-18 and Lowes had one in stock. It is much thicker than needed but from what i am looking at it should not bother anything. Thanks for all the advice.

Your lucky they had one. the oriiginal is more like a jamb nut. I went to the lowes and home depot around here (s houston) after your post to see if they had them now. And as usual they do not carry them at these locations I'm not sure the extra thickness would really be an issue. you just need to try it and see if it works for your wheel. We get them from coastal bolt.

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by Smitty

The only way to be sure of the threads is to use a thread pitch guage. It fits in the threads and will give you the number on the guage that fits. If I had a clue where mine might be I would check my spare tilt and know for sure.

dun did that.