I've taken the steering wheel off like 30+ times and never have had a problem getting it back on until now...

The nut just won't go down on the shaft as far as it used to! It keeps stopping about 1/3 of the way down. Any ideas? I've been using a 27mm deep socket, extension, and rachet. I don't see how I could have done any damage to it...

If the threads on the steering column are dinged, a great way to restore them is with a thread file. I have several -- one's metric, and I'm sure it would do this job in no time.

You only need to use the file once and it's paid for itself.

You could easily get a perfectly useable nut at the junkyard.

I'm guessing it got cross-threaded, i.e. misaligned. Look carefully at the threads inside the nut or on the shaft to see if they look at all damaged. Get ahold of the right size thread chasers to clean this up. Sorry, I don't know the tpi (threads per inch), but make sure it matches or it'll really mess things up for good.

Possible alternative: get a new nut and see if it goes on smoothly. But if it too sticks at 1/3 of the way down, you'll have to clean up the shaft threads as above.

I agree with usingf a thread chaser. Easy and cheap way is to get another two nuts at the wreckers. If one works then you are done. if it jams at the same point then cut a radial slot through it with a hacksaw. That should be enough to chase the threads and use the other uncut one.

Bill D.

PS i would think they are metric threads and a hardend nut, not hardware store replacements.