How to guess size of a nut - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rchdrm · 06-23-2006, 10:41 PM

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 · 06-23-2006, 10:43 PM

is there a nut on your old column?

jsbgump · 06-24-2006, 12:26 AM

If I remember correctly it is 1/2 inch

krue · 06-24-2006, 01:00 AM

I was thinking 5/8" fine thread.

rchdrm · 06-24-2006, 07:04 AM

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 · 06-24-2006, 07:11 AM

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

**VetteVet** · 06-24-2006, 10:07 AM

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

**Smitty** · 06-24-2006, 11:14 AM

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

toddtheodd · 06-24-2006, 11:41 AM

mine was a 1/2 corse thread.

PanelDeland · 06-24-2006, 01:41 PM

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.

mbgmike · 06-24-2006, 02:06 PM

Quote:

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* · 06-24-2006, 02:14 PM

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 · 06-24-2006, 04:42 PM

Quote:

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** · 06-24-2006, 05:16 PM

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

**Smitty** · 06-24-2006, 06:51 PM

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 · 06-24-2006, 10:40 PM

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 · 06-24-2006, 10:40 PM

Quote:

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.

mbgmike · 06-24-2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

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 · 06-24-2006, 11:00 PM

[QUOTE=john]My tilt is 9/16' fine thread. The standard columns are 1/2' fine thread.[/QUOT

maybe I shouldn't throw the used ones I have in the same box

Hey I lived in the late sixties and 70's
Mike

06-23-2006, 10:41 PM	#1
rchdrm The start of the $ pit! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: garland, Tx Posts: 153	How to guess size of a nut 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

06-23-2006, 10:43 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: How to guess size of a nut is there a nut on your old column?

06-24-2006, 12:26 AM	#3
jsbgump Gone Fishing Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fort Worth, Texas 76135 Posts: 12,361	Re: How to guess size of a nut If I remember correctly it is 1/2 inch __________________ 68 Chevy Short Fleetside LSX Swap Under Way 3.73 posi 2.5/4 drop Frame of resto has been started 2022 Hyundai Tucson Limited 2019 Chevy Traverse Redline Edition Wifes Ride Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3483616

06-24-2006, 01:00 AM	#4
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: How to guess size of a nut I was thinking 5/8" fine thread. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

06-24-2006, 07:04 AM	#5
rchdrm The start of the $ pit! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: garland, Tx Posts: 153	Re: How to guess size of a nut 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.

06-24-2006, 07:11 AM	#6
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: How to guess size of a nut 1/2 too little, 5/8 too small, do they make a 9/16's? __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

06-24-2006, 10:07 AM	#7
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,709	Re: How to guess size of a nut Yes a 9/16 x 12 and a 9/16 x 18 Most of the wheel nuts I've seen are fine thread. __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

06-24-2006, 11:14 AM	#8
Smitty Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Spring Valley, Ca. Posts: 1,109	Re: How to guess size of a nut 9/16-18 would be the fine thread! But am not sure what size is required. __________________ Smitty '71 Short Fleetside Spring Valley, Ca.

06-24-2006, 11:41 AM	#9
toddtheodd The oddest Todd around Join Date: May 2004 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,418	Re: How to guess size of a nut mine was a 1/2 corse thread. __________________ "The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies and chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth and see those dear to them bathed in tears, to ride their horses and clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters." Ghengis Khan IIOY???

06-24-2006, 01:41 PM	#10
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: How to guess size of a nut 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. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil" Last edited by PanelDeland; 06-24-2006 at 01:42 PM.

06-24-2006, 02:14 PM	#12
wolfthing2000 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,276	Re: How to guess size of a nut 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!

06-24-2006, 05:16 PM	#14
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	Re: How to guess size of a nut My tilt is 9/16' fine thread. The standard columns are 1/2' fine thread. __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/

06-24-2006, 06:51 PM	#15
Smitty Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Spring Valley, Ca. Posts: 1,109	Re: How to guess size of a nut 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. __________________ Smitty '71 Short Fleetside Spring Valley, Ca.

06-24-2006, 10:40 PM	#16
rchdrm The start of the $ pit! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: garland, Tx Posts: 153	Re: How to guess size of a nut 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.

06-24-2006, 11:00 PM	#19
mbgmike Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR Posts: 5,415	Re: How to guess size of a nut [QUOTE=john]My tilt is 9/16' fine thread. The standard columns are 1/2' fine thread.[/QUOT maybe I shouldn't throw the used ones I have in the same box Hey I lived in the late sixties and 70's Mike



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