Apparatus for attaching a vehicle steering wheel to a vehicle steering shaft

An apparatus (10) comprises a vehicle steering wheel (12) including a hub portion (54) having a splinded inner surface (62) and diametrically opposed first and second angled surface portions (76 and 78). A vehicle steering shaft (14) is rotatable about a first axis (16) to effect vehicle steering. The steering shaft (14) includes an end portion (18) having an outer surface with splines that mesh with the splined inner surface (62) of the hub portion (54) to connect the steering shaft non-rotatably with the steering wheel. The end portion (18) includes an inner surface (42) defining a passage (40) through the end portion that extends transverse to the first axis (16). A bolt (150) has a head portion (152), a threaded outer surface (156), and a shank portion (164). The shank portion (164) is disposed in the passage (40) through the steering shaft (14) and engages the inner surface (42). The head portion (152) has a first frustoconical surface (162). A nut (130) screws onto the bolt (150). The nut (130) includes a second frustoconical surface (144). The first frustoconical surface (162) on the bolt (150) and the second frustoconical surface (144) on the nut (130) engage the angled surface portions (76 and 78), respectively, on the hub portion (54). These engagements create a compressive reaction load between the hub portion and the steering shaft (14) and block relative axial movement between the steering wheel (12) and the steering shaft.