centering steering wheel after control valve install?
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2002
Location: Deltona (son of Deland and DAYTONA) FL
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
centering steering wheel after control valve install?
What is the best way to re-center the steering wheel after what I've done below?:
I installed a new P/S control valve last night, but now my steering wheel is off to the left about 10 degrees. I had the car aligned in March when the front poly kit was installed.
Is it as simple as removing the pitman arm from the control valve again with the front wheels pointing as straight as possible, then turning the steering wheel straight, then reattaching the arm? Or would it be simpler to unbolt the steering wheel and move it? Do I stand a good chance of ruining the control arm stud boot with a pitman arm fork if I use it to separate it again?
I installed a new P/S control valve last night, but now my steering wheel is off to the left about 10 degrees. I had the car aligned in March when the front poly kit was installed.
Is it as simple as removing the pitman arm from the control valve again with the front wheels pointing as straight as possible, then turning the steering wheel straight, then reattaching the arm? Or would it be simpler to unbolt the steering wheel and move it? Do I stand a good chance of ruining the control arm stud boot with a pitman arm fork if I use it to separate it again?
#2
Safety Car
Re: centering steering wheel after control valve install? (isosceles)
Make sure the wheels are straight and take the steering wheel off, then reinstall where you want it. :thumbs:
-Justin
-Justin
#3
Race Director
Re: centering steering wheel after control valve install? (Dalannex)
Disconnect the battery so you don't blow the horn the whole time. I found out the hard way. LOL!!! My wife came to the door and wanted to know what I was doing. Nothing dear just playing. :steering:
#4
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: Saginaw Michigan
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 0
Received 98 Likes
on
81 Posts
Re: centering steering wheel after control valve install? (Eddie 70)
If I remember correctly, there are 30 serrations where the steering wheel attaches to the steering column. Therefore, moving one serration will change the steering wheel centering by 12 degrees.
To "fine tune" steering wheel centering, you will need to make your adjustments at the tie rods. By rotating the adjuster sleeves on the right and left tie rods the same direction and the exact same amount, you will change your steering wheel position. By rotating the sleeves the same, you will not change your front wheel toe setting.
One caution, the AIM book and the shop manuals are quite specific that the tie rod clamps (that lock the adjuster sleeves after your adjustment) must be oriented correctly when you retighten them.
I have two papers posted at http://www.corvettefaq.com in the Steering section. Download the following:
Adjusting Steering Linkage Tie Rods
Adjusting Steering Linkage Tie Rods Pictures
These papers will give you all you ever wanted to know about this procedure.
Jim Shea
To "fine tune" steering wheel centering, you will need to make your adjustments at the tie rods. By rotating the adjuster sleeves on the right and left tie rods the same direction and the exact same amount, you will change your steering wheel position. By rotating the sleeves the same, you will not change your front wheel toe setting.
One caution, the AIM book and the shop manuals are quite specific that the tie rod clamps (that lock the adjuster sleeves after your adjustment) must be oriented correctly when you retighten them.
I have two papers posted at http://www.corvettefaq.com in the Steering section. Download the following:
Adjusting Steering Linkage Tie Rods
Adjusting Steering Linkage Tie Rods Pictures
These papers will give you all you ever wanted to know about this procedure.
Jim Shea
#5
Intermediate
Member Since: Apr 2003
Location: Palmyra PA
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: centering steering wheel after control valve install? (Jim Shea)
Thanks for the excellant reply Jim! I too have a slight to the left off center on the steering wheel. I also did the control valve replacement and do not recomend messing around with the pitman arm again.
[Modified by drs80vette, 6:03 PM 7/22/2003]
[Modified by drs80vette, 6:03 PM 7/22/2003]
#6
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2002
Location: Deltona (son of Deland and DAYTONA) FL
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Re: centering steering wheel after control valve install? (drs80vette)
Thanks for the replies. I know you guys have saved me hours of frustration.
Jim, I looked at your write ups and they are awesome. I'll see how much fine tuning I have to do.
Eddie70, I know you've saved my wife hours of frustration listening to my horn blowing :rofl:
edit: BOOGERS! I had to bleed the air(with the cap OFF this time), think that went successfully. But now my horn doesn't work. I think Bubba may have been in it previously. There is a huge gob of solder on the thing that contacts the ring to the button. I'll mess with that tomorrow. It's about 95 degrees in my garage still :mad <==burning up, not mad
[Modified by isosceles, 10:08 PM 7/22/2003]
Jim, I looked at your write ups and they are awesome. I'll see how much fine tuning I have to do.
Eddie70, I know you've saved my wife hours of frustration listening to my horn blowing :rofl:
edit: BOOGERS! I had to bleed the air(with the cap OFF this time), think that went successfully. But now my horn doesn't work. I think Bubba may have been in it previously. There is a huge gob of solder on the thing that contacts the ring to the button. I'll mess with that tomorrow. It's about 95 degrees in my garage still :mad <==burning up, not mad
[Modified by isosceles, 10:08 PM 7/22/2003]