Damaged splines on MTech wheel - useless?

[K20RI_211]

Hey guys.

So a few months ago I bought an MTech wheel at local junkyard (not a pick and pull, over the counter only place). The price was stupid cheap and the leather was really nice, so I figured what the hell.

Turns out the monkeys in the junkyard of course did not break the ignition lock so the splines are damaged - visible cross-hatching, for lack of a better word. They just wrenched on the thing until it broke free. I only just yesterday attempted to fit it on my E28, so I'm well past the return period.

This is one of three "spare" MTech wheels I have, so it's not a big deal to me. But I wondered if there's anything I can do with it that might make it useful again in the future. The leather is really decent, but I'm guessing it's just useful for parts at this point. Pic of damage:



Thanks,

Jeff

[AndrewBird]

How exactly are they damaged? Fro the picture at least, I see nothing wrong. If the splines are smashed over into themselves, you could clean them up by hand with a needle file.

[K20RI_211]

How exactly are they damaged? Fro the picture at least, I see nothing wrong. If the splines are smashed over into themselves, you could clean them up by hand with a needle file.

Sorry - that was just a picture I grabbed from the internet.

As far as damage, there are abrasions going horizontally across the vertical splines. It will not slide onto the column like every other MTech wheel I've fitted.

[ELVA164]

Maybe try filing the burrs smooth? I guess I'd have to see it.

[K20RI_211]

Updated with picture of actual damage above.

[LJ851]

I ran into a similar problem and i cut the splined section off a junkyard steering column and pressed it through the wheel to restore the splines. I machined the leading end of it concave so it would act a bit like a broach when i pressed it through. Worked like a charm.

[AndrewBird]

Wow, that looks bad. A file and some patience will clean it up, but it might be too far gone.

I like the broach idea, but not everyone has the ability to make one.

[K20RI_211]

Wow, that looks bad. A file and some patience will clean it up, but it might be too far gone.

I like the broach idea, but not everyone has the ability to make one.

I know. It's rough. A little bit heart breaking to try and slide it on only to feel a bunch of resistance.

So a needle file, just going up and down to gentle try and restore/deepen the original splines? Is that effectively my end-game?

Sorry for the dumb questions. Never dealt w/ this before.

[ELVA164]

I'd use a triangle file if it were me, or maybe a thread file if you have one and could figure out what the "thread" of the spline is. LJ's idea would work well too if you had the ability to do that.

[Steve Corbett]

Rod Paine modified one, Not sure this wheel would be worth the work, unless you were to convert to one of the rarer coarse thread or non existant E23 variety.

http://www.mye28.com/tech/rods_pages/id23.html

[K20RI_211]

Rod Paine modified one, Not sure this wheel would be worth the work, unless you were to convert to one of the rarer coarse thread or non existant E23 variety.

http://www.mye28.com/tech/rods_pages/id23.html

Yeah, feels like a lot of work for a basic MTech. Good idea though.

[AndrewBird]

I would use a 3 sided file. Thread file won't have the correct profile, even if the threads per inch line up.