How to straighten steering wheel?

[Mister-B]

My alignment is fine, but the steering wheel isn't straight.

How can I adjust it?
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[GCncsuHD]

Park the truck with the wheels straight, get under it and adjust both tie rods until it lines up your steering wheel.

[Stocker]

Or just remove the steering wheel (disconnect horn first) and reinstall it in the correct position.

[GCncsuHD]

Originally Posted by Stocker

Or just remove the steering wheel (disconnect horn first) and reinstall it in the correct position.

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.

[Mister-B]

Thanks guys. The steering wheel removal method sounds easiest. Is there just a nut under the horn button?
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[Mister-B]

Oh, and how does the horn button come off?
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[Wrenchbender Ret]

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.

[Andy4639]

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.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

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.

Thank you. I don't have that tool. Are they easy to find, and inexpensive? Makes me wonder if doing the tie rod adjustment might be easier?
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[Andy4639]

They can be rented at about any parts store. U can buy one for $25.00 are so.

[SS Tim]

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.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

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.

Because the truck can drive in a straight line without me needing to pull the wheel to either side, but the wheel stays in a crooked position
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[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

They can be rented at about any parts store. U can buy one for $25.00 are so.

Thanks. So, how does that horn button come off a 69? Just pull on it?
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[Andy4639]

If it's factory it should just pull off. Grab it and pull.

horn button:


Steering wheel:

[midniteblues]

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

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

If it's factory it should just pull off. Grab it and pull.

horn button:


Steering wheel:

Cool. Yeah, mine is factory
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[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by Mister-B

Because the truck can drive in a straight line without me needing to pull the wheel to either side, but the wheel stays in a crooked position
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That is kind of what I thought you would say. The problem is it can be off and still go straight and the off center wheel may very well indicate a home alignment "twisting 'till it goes straight".

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.

[Stocker]

^^ 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

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

That is kind of what I thought you would say. The problem is it can be off and still go straight and the off center wheel may very well indicate a home alignment "twisting 'till it goes straight".

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.

Ok. Thanks. I'll keep an eye on it. Haven't noticed any unusual tire wear or pulling to one side or the other, so it leads me to think the wheel needs to be adjusted, but we'll see

Thanks
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[cleszkie]

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.

[POS1]

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.

[69GWC]

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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