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I have a restored 37 "120" banjo steering wheel that was original to my car and have a question about the splines that would engage on the steering column. They seem to be worn on the banjo wheel and was wondering if a loctite product should be used when installing? I'm just wondering when driving the car if I turn left or right it could get ugly if the car continues straight if these splines were to strip. Has anyone encountered this? See photos.

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Locktite 660 is a gap filling product which does say it is for use in repairing worn out seats, keys, and splines. I know we used to use it on a couple of drive pulleys that seemed to wear out key slots but whether it could be used and is sufficient to fill enough of the excess space to be safe depends on how much of the splines are still present. If gaps are small enough and there is still enough depth to catch the grooves the filler might be able to stop any play and restore decent strength. If the wear is so much the splines barely mesh then I would not trust any product because a good hard twist might just shear and let the car keep going straight.

Another consideration would be if the wheel could be removed again once the locktite is applied. There is a solvent that might release the stuff if it can soak down but usually heat is the preferred method for softening the hard bond but that would not work on the wheel.

Is the spline straight or tapered?

Is the material steel, or some kind of alloy?

Is it actually worn? Does the area where the retaining nut and washer go show any evidence of wear?

The spline would not ordinarily wear, especially if it is in a steel hub or steel insert.

If the same as my later prewar Packards, the steering column shaft is steel while the wheel hub is aluminum alloy.

Thanks for the replies, I agree, I think you would have to destroy the wheel if you ever had to take it off again if the loctite is used. The splines are straight, like Don mentions I think it is an aluminum alloy, doesn't seem to be magnetic.The wheel splines appear to be worn, the steering column splines are fine. I don't see any indications of wear on the retaining nut assembly. On the banjo wheels the nut is part of the horn button assembly and looks like it is difficult to tighten?

Definitely use a filler whether a loctite type product or JB weld or as recommended by others. Whether your grandchildren need to remove the steering wheel or not I am not worried about.. I have seen 2 in motion failures of worn splines - you do not want to take this chance.
Furthermore the unique to banjos nut under the horn button cup is the critical element, not the shallow horn button cup nut.

It looks as if this may be an issue affecting the banjo wheels with the alloy hub.

It would be prudent for anyone driving a car with the banjo wheel or any wheel with an alloy hub to check that it is tight on the shaft with no evidence of having been run loose.

If you can remove your steering wheel by removing the retaining nut and simply pulling it off, it's probably been loose and the spline may be compromised.

As long as you don't use red or green Loctite then I would think it would come back apart with reasonable effort. I.e. maybe use blue or purple.

I wonder if a slot could be cut in both parts to accept a woodruff key. With that in place and the banjo specific lockout, I think that would negate the effects of worn splines.

Thanks for all the replies, I also was thinking that a key slot machined on both pieces would be the way to go. Anyhow, I'm thinking using the Loctite 660 and torque down. I agree, I can't see me ever needing to take it off. I also have a 37 "120" parts car that has a nice standard steering wheel, I think I read once in the forums that the banjo wheel has a different steering column than the standard wheel but I'll investigate that. I could install the standard wheel off of my parts car.