Hello,

I just replaced the steering box and had everything ready to go when I realized that I did not inspect the threads on the pitman shaft. It appears that someone smacked it with a ball pean or something and partially crushed the first 1-2 threads. Well they are just compressed a bit. I tried to force to nut...second mistake. Now I have two questions. Is there a way to repair the treads on the pitman shaft? I am not a machinist; however, I can imagine that there would be such a tool. It locks on the interior "good" threads in maybe three pieces with a circular clamp and then the "die" is the unscrewed off the shaft to repair the first few threads. If this is not made, then I would love to patent it. In the interim, can someone tell me how to repair the threads without taking the box off my truck? I want to drive it so bad right now with the new suspension.

The second question is...Is the nut easily found? What size and where?

Thanks,
Steve

I guess there is a third question...Does someone have a link to detailed instructions on rebuilding my old box so I have a back up for the next 60 years?

 

There is a tool called a thread file with 4 thread pitch on each end. You can get them in course thread, fine thread, and metric

 

If it is only the first couple of threads you can grind them off with a grinder. Hold the grinding wheel at a 45 ° to the shaft and grind 'till the good threads are exposed.

There is a folding die available but they are kind of pricey.

Tomorrow I will get you the thread size.

 

As Ed mentioned, the answer to your needs is a thread file. Readily available and not very expensive. Once you own one, you'll use it more than once. There's a couple of different ones, depending on what thread count you need. Get them both, just in case.

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This is a common operation in my shop. What we do is, using the correct
die, cut the die in half with the air whizzer place the two halfs on the
good thread section then put the die holder on the die and back off the
thread. I have many dies cut in half just for this operation. Just make
sure the TPI (thread per inch) is correct Ford boxes usually fine (NF).
I do a lot of threading on the lathe and run into this all the time. sam

 

Thanks for all of your help. The grinding method worked well and quickly. Steve

 

Glad you got it Steve. Just FYI the threadform is 7/8"-14.

That's a god idea bigjob. I think I will work on building a set for my shop. Reps to you