How to line up steering wheel?

[72ChevyAZ]

How do you line up your steering wheel so that when the tires are straight, the steering wheel is straight up?

Thanks for any input.

Jon

[dave2953]

When I did mine I pulled forward and back into the driveway to make sure the wheels were straight. Then I removed the wheel and re-installed it straight. On newer vehicles you can have i adjusted when you get an alignment, and I imagine that would also work for our trucks given that there isn't a whole lot of slop in the steering box.

[COBALT]

I usually take my best guess, then drive around the block once it's back on, and if it's off mark it with a black marker (in the center where it goes on), and then adjust it, repeat. I can usually get it on the second try.

[72ChevyAZ]

My problem is when I installed my new wheel (Grant walnut_ there are only the 3 holes used to mount it so, there is no room for adjustment. Do I need to dig deeper into the steering colum and loosen something?

Thanks for the responce.

[matthufham]

i have the same problem with my grant wheel, but my main problem is the pitman arm doesn't go on the steering box correctly, and my wheel doesn't turn right as much as it turns left.

[ChevLoRay]

Several things affect it. When an alignment is done, the mechanic should be using a device to hold the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position. Then, any adjustments to the steering components won't affect the steering wheel position.

Of course, whether or not the wheel is installed while the column is in the proper position, or not, will affect how it is positioned.

Wear within the steering gearbox may have an effect on steering wheel position.

Pulling the wheel and reinstalling it may result in your turn signal cancelling happening at a time that isn't right. In my case, turns to the right (or is it to the left) with the wheel in certain positions, won't let me use my turn signals without forcing it or jockeying the wheel a little to get past the detent.

[clay68c10]

Center the steering box, then center the wheel, then get an alignment if it doesn't jive going down the road.
To center the box, count the number of steering wheel revolutions from lock to lock right to left, divide that by 2 and set the wheel to straight at that position. If your alignment is off, you'll know it then. If it's pretty close, drive and adjust till it's where you want it.

[72ChevyAZ]

Well, I just had my steering box rebuilt before I put the new wheel on. So that is tight. Looks like I will just have to take it in and have my mechanic line it up when I get done with the other 500 things I am doing right now.
Thanks for the responces people. I was hopeing for an easy fix but doesn't look like it will be something I can do myself.

[68gmsee]

On one of my other vehicles, I aligned it by adjusting the tie rod end sleeves on both sides the exact same amount until I got the steering wheel correct. That's the way an alignment shop did one of my trucks after I replaced the tie rod ends some years back.

[Andy4639]

72ChevyAZ ,

My problem is when I installed my new wheel (Grant walnut_ there are only the 3 holes used to mount it so, there is no room for adjustment. Do I need to dig deeper into the steering colum and loosen something?

The three holes you speak of is for just the wheel it has nothing to do with alignment of the steering wheel to the wheels.
You have to take the steering wheel off with the hub. The nut down inside the steering wheel has to come off and pull the wheel off the shaft. The shaft is splind as is the steering wheel hub. Get it off then slid it back on and drive it slowly down the street and get the truck going straight. Stop and move the Steering wheel on the shaft to line it up. Tighten nut back down and your good to go.