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#1 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 3,331
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How to straighten steering wheel?
My alignment is fine, but the steering wheel isn't straight.
How can I adjust it? Posted via Mobile Device |
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#2 |
Charlie Daniels w/ a Tq Wrench
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Statesville, NC
Posts: 1,570
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Re: How to straighten steering wheel?
Park the truck with the wheels straight, get under it and adjust both tie rods until it lines up your steering wheel.
__________________
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ 67 C10 Shortbed "Great Grandpa's Truck" I6 3 on the Tree 71k original miles 5.3 swap in the works69 K5 Blazer-Family Beach Cruiser Project 78 K30 Dually Semi-Retired Fire Truck 350/SM465 35"s SOLD01 2500HD ECSB 6.0 4x4 5.13's 8" lift 38"s |
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#3 |
20' Daredevil (Ret)
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,631
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Re: How to straighten steering wheel?
Or just remove the steering wheel (disconnect horn first) and reinstall it in the correct position.
__________________
- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay |
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#4 |
Charlie Daniels w/ a Tq Wrench
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Statesville, NC
Posts: 1,570
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Re: How to straighten steering wheel?
That will work as well, and may be easier, I couldn't remember if the columns had a master spline or not that only allowed the wheel to be installed in one position, so I suggested adjusting the tie rods.
__________________
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ 67 C10 Shortbed "Great Grandpa's Truck" I6 3 on the Tree 71k original miles 5.3 swap in the works69 K5 Blazer-Family Beach Cruiser Project 78 K30 Dually Semi-Retired Fire Truck 350/SM465 35"s SOLD01 2500HD ECSB 6.0 4x4 5.13's 8" lift 38"s |
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#5 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 3,331
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Re: How to straighten steering wheel?
Thanks guys. The steering wheel removal method sounds easiest. Is there just a nut under the horn button?
Posted via Mobile Device |
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#6 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 3,331
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Re: How to straighten steering wheel?
Oh, and how does the horn button come off?
Posted via Mobile Device |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Overland Park, Ks.
Posts: 5,216
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Re: How to straighten steering wheel?
Drive it down the road & when you are going straight put a chalk mark on the strg. wheel hub & the turn switch hub. Then go back to the shop & line up the marks. Remove the strg. wheel & set it down in the straight ahead position. To pull the wheel you remove the horn cap & the contacts. You need a strg. gear puller. You the correct bolts with the puller to remove the wheel.
Note. This does not work on 73 up trucks with the key in column. These are indexed. |
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#8 |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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Unplug the horn before you start!
Horn button is just clicked into place. Just pull on it it will pop off. Take the three horn screws out and get that out of the way. Then loosen the nut on the shaft. Dont take it all the way off. Then install the puller with the 2 bolts into the hub. Make sure you get them good and tight. Then start turning the puller it self, once it's tight take a hammer and smack the center of the puller and it should pop the wheel loose. the nut will keep it from coming all the way off. Take the puller bolts out and then remove nut wheel will come off in your hand. ![]() ![]()
__________________
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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#9 | |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 3,331
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Re: How to straighten steering wheel?
Quote:
Posted via Mobile Device |
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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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They can be rented at about any parts store. U can buy one for $25.00 are so.
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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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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Edwards, CA
Posts: 7,503
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Re: How to straighten steering wheel?
How do you know your alignment is OK? The steering wheel should have been set at alignment. You can have alignment issues and still go straight. Suggest you start with an inspection of the front end (bushings, ball joints, tie rods and such) then consider an alignment.
__________________
Thanks, Tim * VIN/Model Decoders * Power Team Charts (engine/transmission/gear ratio) * Post Your Pickup SPID ** Blazer SPID ** Suburban/Panel SPID * RTFM ... Read The Factory Manuals... download 'em here Highlanders ** Do you have a 1972 Plaid Pickup? ** Plaid Blazer ** Plaid Suburban |
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#12 | |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 3,331
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Re: How to straighten steering wheel?
Quote:
Posted via Mobile Device |
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#13 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 3,331
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Re: How to straighten steering wheel?
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#14 |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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If it's factory it should just pull off. Grab it and pull.
![]() ![]() horn button: ![]() Steering wheel: ![]()
__________________
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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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: strausstown pa
Posts: 3,394
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Re: How to straighten steering wheel?
dude check your front tires brush your hand over them do you feel the tread wearing smoothly/ is the tread choppy? are your tires wearing on one side and not the other(inside too the outside)does your truck pull to oneside of the road when trying too go straight on a flat road?
If these check ok then pop your steering wheel off and re-center it alot of times you dont need a puller if you grab it firmly and pull it out with a rocking back and forth motion some times they come off(depending if its ever been removed before). if you wanna risk it you could hammer it off but you risk cracking or damageing the wheel I would suggest a block of softer wood or a rubber or plastic mallet. of course the real challenge is getting a swing oviously the proper puller is the best way and andy is right alot of stores will either rent or let you borrow one what ever you do please dont start turning you tie rods to center your wheel steering wheel ![]() anyway it never hurts to have a alignment done but be prepared to start replaceing parts that are worn
__________________
81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love ![]() 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover. |
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#16 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 3,331
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Re: How to straighten steering wheel?
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#17 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Edwards, CA
Posts: 7,503
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Re: How to straighten steering wheel?
Quote:
Problem with pulling/moving the wheel is that that it "should" be lined up with the steering gear lash center. But many things could have changed the wheel, shaft and box alignment over the years. It really boils down to making it work or being correct.
__________________
Thanks, Tim * VIN/Model Decoders * Power Team Charts (engine/transmission/gear ratio) * Post Your Pickup SPID ** Blazer SPID ** Suburban/Panel SPID * RTFM ... Read The Factory Manuals... download 'em here Highlanders ** Do you have a 1972 Plaid Pickup? ** Plaid Blazer ** Plaid Suburban |
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#18 |
20' Daredevil (Ret)
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,631
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Re: How to straighten steering wheel?
^^ You can trust what Tim said.
If you believe all is OK and you simply want to move the wheel, my puller works well and didn't cost much -- it looks just like this one: http://www.carid.com/mr-gasket/item-...FUlxQgodDlsAYA
__________________
- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay |
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#19 | |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 3,331
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Re: How to straighten steering wheel?
Quote:
Thanks Posted via Mobile Device |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Santa Ana, CA
Posts: 2,191
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Re: How to straighten steering wheel?
A real good test to see where the issue is is to raise the front of the truck, and turn the steering wheel so that it is centered. Then turn it full lock to the right counting the number of turns. Then turn it full lock to the left from center counting the number of turns. If the number of turns to right and left lock is the same, your steering wheel indexing is correct and you problem is in your alignment. If you just up and re-index your steering wheel to center it, you will be impacting your ability to steer if the tie rod and drag link already have your steering box partially wound in one direction.
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 145
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Re: How to straighten steering wheel?
I agree on the alignment thing as the first course of action. If it's all good, then you can redo the position of the steering wheel.
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- Brian FleetFilter.com 1991 Chevrolet V1500 Suburban 4x4 1986 Jeep CJ7 1969 Porsche 911S Targa |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,089
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Re: How to straighten steering wheel?
You can get it aligned for around $75 bucks and if its a good shop they can look over the front end parts for you and see if they are still good or in need of replacement.
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