Steering Column / Shaft Position

[Six862m6]

New question for those who might know.

While replacing my turn signal switch in my '68 GMC, I of course had the steering wheel off and the top part of the column apart. (Old turn signal switch still installed in pic)

I noticed this small line notched into the top of my steering column's shaft. Can anyone tell me if this is supposed to be the indicator for placing the shaft/steering gear in the dead center position? As in this line should be facing directly forward and then changing the toe on the front wheels to be straight/aligned with this position? Also I would then say that the steering wheel adapter would of course align with this so that where it says "top" would be at the top and the steering wheel centered as well.

[Davidf]

Generally, if all spliced parts of the steering shaft are in the correct position, then the notch should be straight up. If not, turn signal canceling can be off and steering box may not be centered. Most important is that the steering box is center when the truck is going straight down a level road. But, as you eluded, you can center the box via tie rods and have the steering wheel/shaft not centered. There should be a corresponding notch on the steering wheel (I think)

[Six862m6]

Originally Posted by Davidf

Generally, if all spliced parts of the steering shaft are in the correct position, then the notch should be straight up. If not, turn signal canceling can be off and steering box may not be centered. Most important is that the steering box is center when the truck is going straight down a level road. But, as you eluded, you can center the box via tie rods and have the steering wheel/shaft not centered. There should be a corresponding notch on the steering wheel (I think)

Gotcha. I think I just need to have my front wheels re-toed to when that notch is straight up. The truck is in the straight forward driving position as it is sitting in the picture. I've always noticed that the turn signal cancels a little too fast/easy when turning to the left I believe.... which would make sense given that the shaft is slightly to the left.

As for the steering wheel, I have an aftermarket wooden rim wheel installed. That adapter you see on the shaft/column in the picture is for positioning the wheel..... It believe it's meant for the "TOP" seen on that part/adapter to be aligned with the notch to make the steering wheel straight with the column shaft.

[Davidf]

If the front end alignment is currently good, then no need to have it professionally aligned to center box/shaft. Simply rotate tie-rod couplings equal amounts on both sides so that wheels are moved in same direction. Steering wheel moves, but toe stays the same.

For instance if steering wheel is off to the left, then move wheels to the left equal amounts. Start with one full rotation of the tie rod couplers. Put tape around the tie rod up against edge of coupling…then you can easily see if you are rotating the coupling the proper direction.

[BigBird05]

You should have a corresponding line on the steering wheel. That is so the man on the assembly line can put the steering wheel in the correct position.

[70STOVEBOLT]

What if the column is not original to the truck? Does that matter, or were all steering shafts marked the same by a machine when the shaft was made? I never noticed a mark like that on my column, I will have to go look now.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by Davidf

If the front end alignment is currently good, then no need to have it professionally aligned to center box/shaft. Simply rotate tie-rod couplings equal amounts on both sides so that wheels are moved in same direction. Steering wheel moves, but toe stays the same.

^^^this^^^

I have never had a professional alignment done where the steering wheel ended up straight to my obsessive level of satisfaction, so I always use the method described above to tweak it. I do this on all of my vehicles. Sometimes it takes as little as 1/6 of a turn on each tie-rod.

[BigBird05]

They all should start out with that mark.

[Six862m6]

Originally Posted by Davidf

If the front end alignment is currently good, then no need to have it professionally aligned to center box/shaft. Simply rotate tie-rod couplings equal amounts on both sides so that wheels are moved in same direction. Steering wheel moves, but toe stays the same.

For instance if steering wheel is off to the left, then move wheels to the left equal amounts. Start with one full rotation of the tie rod couplers. Put tape around the tie rod up against edge of coupling…then you can easily see if you are rotating the coupling the proper direction.

Yea, that makes sense. I've never had the truck aligned in the 13 years I've owned it. I haven't noticed too much uneven wear on the tire treads though and it drives straight enough down the road.

[Six862m6]

Originally Posted by BigBird05

You should have a corresponding line on the steering wheel. That is so the man on the assembly line can put the steering wheel in the correct position.

As mentioned up above, I don't have the factory steering wheel. Picture attached of my current wheel. The second picture shows the adapter that this wheel uses. You can see the "TOP" mark on it.... Now that I know the notched line in the shaft is supposed to point straight up when the wheels are straight, I'm confident that "TOP" in this adapter is supposed to line up with the notched line, which in turn mounts the steering wheel in the correct position.

[Six862m6]

Originally Posted by 70STOVEBOLT

What if the column is not original to the truck? Does that matter, or were all steering shafts marked the same by a machine when the shaft was made? I never noticed a mark like that on my column, I will have to go look now.

That's a pretty good question..... In my particular case, I'm about 99% sure that my column is original.

[68 P.O.S.]

http://www.powersteering.com/blog/20...x-is-on-center

[Six862m6]

Originally Posted by 68 P.O.S.

http://www.powersteering.com/blog/20...x-is-on-center

Nice info to check the gearbox when the column shaft is in the straight up position as well, thanks!

[70STOVEBOLT]

Good info, thank you for posting it.

[70STOVEBOLT]

Is the mark at 3 o’clock the one? If so, I need to make some adjustments… it’s actually at 6:30 the pic is sideways.

[Six862m6]

Originally Posted by 70STOVEBOLT

Is the mark at 3 o’clock the one? If so, I need to make some adjustments… it’s actually at 6:30 the pic is sideways.

Yes, that is the mark that I have been talking about anyway.