c2 high point centering

[Randy S.]

Re 1966 with telescoping column

I want to get my steering wheel alignment and steering box high point centered before I get an alignment. Re the chassis service manual section 9 fig 3 there is supposed to be an alignment mark at 12 o'clock on the wormshaft and corresponding mark on the coupler. My wormshaft is all spline with no room for an alignment mark and tele coupler has no corresponding mark. How do I determine high point??

Since I recently removed and replaced the column without making any reference marks (rookie mistake) I want to be sure I am on the high point.

The car goes straight down the road with steering wheel centered.

Randy

[Timothy B.]

Re: c2 high point centering

Randy,

Turn your steering wheel so the tires are pointing straight ahead. Remove the bolt that holds the rag joint to the steering box spline (worm gear) and also the bolt that holds the rag joint to the steering shaft. Next remove the nuts that hold the halves of the rag joint together and slide the upper half of the joint up the steering shaft to get it out of the way. At that point remove the lower half from the steering box worm gear (you may have to insert a screw driver and spread the lower rag flange because the bolt has pulled it tight against the splines on the steering box shaft) If you look carefully you will see what looks to be a chisel or scribe mark on the vertical end of the worm gear. Turn the tires just a little and make sure this mark is in the 12 o'clock position and re-install the lower rag joint flange so that the split in the flange lines with the mark on the worm gear shaft. Next, make certain the upper rag joint is installed properly on the steering shaft but you can only install this one way because the bolt will not go through when the rag joint is on the splines incorrectly. Unite both halves of the rag joint again and now the only other thing to check is under the horn button to make sure the steering shaft is installed to the hub correctly. Again you will see chisel markes to line these two pieces.

At this point your finished and when the car goes to the alignment shop all that needs to be done is to straighten and lock the wheel and adjust toe as the last part of the front alignment. Sorry it's so long but sometimes I just can't get it out without alot of words.

[Randy S.]

Re: c2 high point centering

Tim,
Thanks. I did not know the alignmnt mark was on the end. Good tip on spliting the rag joint, I was loosing the column to re-index the rag joint but never looked on the end of the worm shaft.

Randy

[Randy S.]

Re: c2 high point centering

Tim,

Got the rag joint off and no alignment mark on end of worm shaft. No mark on top of shaft either ( all splines)

As I do not have wandering steering and the steering wheel is straight when the car goes straight down the road I guess that will have to be close enough. I'll find a big parking lot and see if the "lock to center" is the same for both sides. Without an alignment mark I guess thats the best I can do.

Randy

[Timothy B.]

Re: c2 high point centering

Randy,

You have to look hard to find this mark, is it possible there is some rust covering it. Mine is very faint but it is there, it is located on the face of the worm gear shaft where it slips into the lower flange of the rag joint. The split in the lower flange should align even with this mark. I don't have a picture to show you but if you have a GM service manual for your car it may be there.