Randy 71

Front end rebuild is complete. Car tracks straight as an arrow. Steering Box is centered. I have read all the tech papers on how to center the steering wheel.

Question..... I understand that you turn the tie rod sleeves in the same direction and same amount to do this. My steering wheel is 40 degrees off to the right. Is this the procedure for centering the steering wheel?

1. pull the car into the garage with the wheels straight
2. the steering wheel off 40 degrees
3. then jack it up place jack stands under the front
4. unlock steering wheel with ignition key switch
5. then begin turning the tie rod sleeves equally in same direction
6. by doing this the steering wheel will begin to center up?

If this is correct how many complete turns do you figure it will take to center the steering wheel?

Thanks, Randy

verskel

How did it get off 40-degrees ?

Can't answer on that procedure......it sounds confusing. :confused:

lbell101

I think I'd just pull the steering wheel and put it back on in the straight position.

Larry

Randy 71

:nonod: don't want to bubba it up :nono:

Mike Ward

No need for step 3. You can do it with the wheels on the ground. :cheers:

Randy 71

OK, I figure at least put it on the ramps so I can get under it? Any Ideas how many turns I will have to give the tie rod sleeves to move it 40 degrees?

Randy

Jim Shea

If the car tracks straight and the gear is on-center, you want to make your adjustments from the gear input shaft back to the steering wheel hub. If the upper steering shaft has around 30 serrations, you will need to move the steering wheel hub at least 3 serrations to make up most of the 40 degrees. THEN use the tie rods to get that last increment.

With your gear on center, are the flex coupling stop pins vertical?

Randy 71

Jim,
The flex coupling stop pins are vertical on center. Does the upper steering shaft on a 71 allow you to move it 3 spot . I quess what I am asking , is there a flat spot on the upper steering shaft like the steering box side?

Jim Shea

There is no flat on the upper steering shaft. The thing that limits you when you index the steering wheel hub on the upper steering shaft is the turn signal canceling cam. You could end up canceling the turn signal switch way too soon in one direction and having to turn the steering wheel 180 degrees to get the switch to cancel in the other direction.

How does the indentation on the end of the steering shaft match the mark on the steering wheel hub?

Do you have a standard (non-adjustable) or a T&T steering column?


[Modified by Jim Shea, 10:56 PM 3/12/2004]

Randy 71

I have the standard steering. Not sure I understand indentation question. When I replace the box I did not touch the upper coupling at all.

Jim Shea

With a standard steering column you will find a plastic horn tower that sticks out of the locking plate on the steering column. When you install the steering wheel hub, the hub has a hole for the horn tower to stick into. You will find that the horn tower has a limited amount that it can be shifted within a cutout in the locking plate. This will limit how far you can index the hub on the steering shaft.

Here is one more check. There should be a slash mark (index mark) on the very end of the steering shaft where the steering wheel hub installs. When that mark is at 12 o'clock the flat on the lower end of the steering column shaft (where the detachable flange bolts on) should also be at 12 o'clock.




[Modified by Jim Shea, 11:15 PM 3/12/2004]

Randy 71

Ok, I will look at that tomorrow. Before, I removed the box and did the front end rebuid. My steering was off less than 10 degreees. Could all this be from me not putting the tie rod end back in the exact place. I counted the threads so it had to be closed.

Jim Shea

It could be that you installed your tie rods just a bit off from original. Possibly you need a front end alignment and toe set.

Good luck, I'm heading to the sack.

Jim