Steering wheel alignment with new gear box - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1968SWBBigBlock · 05-28-2008, 05:23 AM

I installed my new steering gear box today - now my steering wheel sits crooked.
Do I pull the steering wheel and reclock it or do I pull the Pitman arm and reclock it?
The Pitman arm was supposed to be clocked identical to my old one when it was rebuilt but who really knows - it looks like it was not

HoupPhotography · 05-28-2008, 06:01 AM

If all you want to do is straighten the steering wheel, unblot it and see it you can straighten it. If that doesnt work, disconnect the steering shaft from the gear box and rotate it (with the wheel on) until it is straight and put the shaft back on the gear box.
Leave the pitman arm alone, if you move that back and forth until the wheel is straight your steering is going to be off, lock to lock.
What you can do, is get the wheel center, count the turns left, get it back to center and count the turns right and make sure they are the same. If the count is way off, then you will need to move the pitman arm.

05-28-2008, 05:23 AM	#1
1968SWBBigBlock Active Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,643	Steering wheel alignment with new gear box I installed my new steering gear box today - now my steering wheel sits crooked. Do I pull the steering wheel and reclock it or do I pull the Pitman arm and reclock it? The Pitman arm was supposed to be clocked identical to my old one when it was rebuilt but who really knows - it looks like it was not __________________ 1968 SWB 454 + .040, 490HP x 540 FT pounds of Torque 10-1 Kb Forged pistons, recon rods w/ ARP wave loc bolts 781 heads Ported with 2.19/1.88 SSTvalves Lunati 60204 cam, Micro Trol lifters, Ported Edelbrock Performer Rpm manifold armor coated, Pertronix Triple Strike Ignition Holley 770 Street Avenger carb,Headers armor coated Built by Watson Ruppel Performance in Sarahsville Ohio. Hardshift Tranny Built Turbo 350,TSI 10" 3000 stall 12 Bolt Eaton Posi 4.10 Richmond Gears moser axles 18.5" x 31" Hoosier Pro Street Radials ET Classic 5 Wheels - polished Power Steering, Power Brakes,Disc Brakes,Tach & Gauge Dash, Tilt,Factory Air (gone) Custom Paint & Body Work Special thanks to my wife, my son and my money tree

05-28-2008, 06:01 AM	#2
HoupPhotography Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 1,204	Re: Steering wheel alignment with new gear box If all you want to do is straighten the steering wheel, unblot it and see it you can straighten it. If that doesnt work, disconnect the steering shaft from the gear box and rotate it (with the wheel on) until it is straight and put the shaft back on the gear box. Leave the pitman arm alone, if you move that back and forth until the wheel is straight your steering is going to be off, lock to lock. What you can do, is get the wheel center, count the turns left, get it back to center and count the turns right and make sure they are the same. If the count is way off, then you will need to move the pitman arm. __________________ R.I.P. Scott Kalitta

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