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#1 |
LWB Club
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Queen Creek, Arizona
Posts: 114
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How to line up steering wheel?
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
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72 Chevy Custom LWB |
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#2 |
Dave's not here, man
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Winder, Georgia
Posts: 2,000
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Re: How to line up steering wheel?
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.
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- 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250 Last edited by dave2953; 01-15-2008 at 05:10 PM. |
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#3 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 5,817
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Re: How to line up steering wheel?
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.
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'69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA. |
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#4 |
LWB Club
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Queen Creek, Arizona
Posts: 114
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Re: How to line up steering wheel?
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.
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72 Chevy Custom LWB |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Carl Junction, Missouri
Posts: 2,061
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Re: How to line up steering wheel?
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.
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#6 |
Old Skool Club
![]() Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas"
Posts: 10,880
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Re: How to line up steering wheel?
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.
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Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was. |
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#7 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Centennial, CO
Posts: 2,951
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Re: How to line up steering wheel?
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.
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ClusterTruck: 68 C10 Bought in 89, wrecked in 03. Slow low $ rebuild started '17. 6.0 & TKO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=788602 93 K1500 Short Step, 350, NV4500, EBL flash ECU. Vortec heads & roller cam someday... 05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. 3” lift & 6-speed 02 E320 the insurance total “free car” 13 Tahoe LTZ |
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#8 |
LWB Club
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Queen Creek, Arizona
Posts: 114
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Re: How to line up steering wheel?
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.
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72 Chevy Custom LWB |
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#9 |
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area.
Posts: 7,947
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Re: How to line up steering wheel?
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.
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#10 | |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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Re: How to line up steering wheel?
72ChevyAZ ,
Quote:
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.
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1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 ![]() Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
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