Steering wheel splining

[AllAlloyCup]

My steering wheel centre fractured and I’m not keen to have it repaired.
So I’m getting a new one cast via JB.

Does anyone know where I could get a tool that would cut the internal
splining to suit an Austin 7 steering wheel? Or failing that a firm who can do this?

Sadly the Mountney steering wheel factory in Coldstream closed down a couple of years 
ago as did the Springalex factory near Berwick.

Not sure but the A7 splining might be the same as early Mini’s and TR2/3/3a cars?

I think the tool is called a pull through broach.

The other possibility is to try to adapt an old column to form 
a hardened tool to cut the internal splined in an alloy hub, but
using a hydraulic press to help the cutting?

Failing that I could machine down a Ruby/Mini hub and fit it inside
The alloy hub spider with screws.

Any comments/ suggestions gratefully accepted.

Regards

Bill G

[Tony Betts]

Hi bill,

I thought you would have a deep dish wheel?

They have a pinch bolt, not a spline.

Tony.

[AllAlloyCup]

Thats right Tony I do need a deep dished wheel to clear the windscreen!
Plus it’s an early chassis( 1925) but it has later 1928 axles and engine.
But in fact I need a splined spider to suit the only good column I have
which is 1929 and is splined.

You now see my problem ...

Regards

Bill G

[Davemayle]

Maybe no help at all Bill, but an interesting article how a special builder cut his own splines:-

http://austin7special.blogspot.com/2016/...wheel.html

[Phil Kingdom]

Hi Bill,
A pull through broach is the correct tool but I very much doubt that it could be done at home, the broach works by taking a series of small cuts each larger than the last and takes a fair amount of effort and a fairly large machine to do. Having said that maybe a hydrolic press could be adapted to do the job if you can find the proper cutter.

[Tony Betts]

Well if you don't have any luck with getting a spline cut.

On Tracy's 28 chummy, we took the latter box column tubes. Cut the spline off. And filed a groove for the pinch bolt.

Tony.

[Paul N-M]

Hi Bill,
Broaching is the way to do it but these tools tend to be rather expensive unless the machine shop happens to have one the right size, which never seems to be the case!
We have just bought one to broach an internal spline on a vintage Bentley gear box part we machined up but at some cost!
For a one off as in your case some ingenuity may be required.

Paul N-M

[AllAlloyCup]

Thanks all ... I knew it wouldn’t be easy!!!

I’m sure I fitted my TR3A Moto-Lita wheel on
My A7 column a couple of years back to check that
the steering box worked when I was building it up
around a new cast casing.

I’m pretty certain the TR3A and classic minis have
48 splines and OD 3/4” and the article above
Quotes the A7 at 50 splines and 22.5mm....

So my recollection may be correct?

I have access to a Mini Cooper wheel so will
borrow that this week.

Mini bosses are dirt cheap £20 and I’m sure I can persuade
Neil to machine a Mini boss down should the homemade tool
idea not be feasible?

[Duncan Grimmond]

Northern Broach in Manchester carry loads of different spline broaches but whether they would set up to do a single one is doubtful. If you want a batch doing they are reputed to be well priced.

A steering wheel specialist would be my advice. I believe that the Brooklands aeroscreen specialist manufacturer in Cornwall also does Bluemels steering wheels?
I recall having a new glass fitted a couple of years ago but I can't find the very helpful company website which also mentioned the steering wheels

[Chris KC]

http://www.johnkimble.co.uk/main.htm

Might be able to advise?