71- Steering Wheel Centering - HELP!!

[Peter B.]

Guys

I write this with crushed knucles, so forgive my typos.

I had replaced my steering box a while ago (was leaking really bad). All came out well except that now the steering wheel is not centerd when the car drives straight. I know the steering pittman arm is keyed, the adapter from the steering box to the steering column is keyed also. I also tried to rotate the steering wheel hub but cant due to the horn switch.

I need to find out how to center my steering wheel.

I did change the front suspension a long while ago. Could it be that I need to mess with the alignment in the front end?

HELP PLEASE!!

[Chuck S.]

Re: 71- Steering Wheel Centering - HELP!!

There IS an engraved "high-point" mark on the steering gear coupler shaft that has to be directly on top of the shaft when the steering wheel is centered.

Your best bet is to buy the Chassis Service Manual and follow the directions for adjusting the steering gear. Since the CSM says to mark the position of the Pitman arm on the sector shaft when removing, I doubt there is a unique position for the Pitman arm on the splines...you may gotten the Pitman off the original position by a spline or two. If that turns out to be the case, simply adjusting the tie rod ends won't be the most elegant solution; I would probably try to figure out how to get the Pitman positioned properly using the CSM.

[Michael G.]

Re: 71- Steering Wheel Centering - HELP!!

Peter,

My first impression would be to pull the steering wheel and adjust it accoringly. Im not sure why the horn switch is a bigger issue than adjusting the lower linkage. admittedly I have not had to do this task on my 71 corvette, but did need to utilize the steering wheel adjustment (pull & reset)on other 70s Chevys that I had replaced the box on. Please let me know if there is something I am missing as I may find myself in your position in the near future. Good luck.

[Joe L.]

Re: 71- Steering Wheel Centering - HELP!!

Chuck and Peter-----

The 1970-82 steering coupler can only be installed on the steering box in one position. The coupler and the worm shaft end are "keyed". So, one cannot get this wrong. The pitman arm can be installed an an incorrect position. However, if I recall correctly, there are only 2 positions that it can be installed. The wrong position will be "instantly obvious".

As far as steering wheel centering goes, it can be adjusted via the steering tie rods which also, of course, adjust for wheel toe. I believe the procedure is covered in the GM service manual. However, if I were you, I'd take the car in for a front end alignment and be sure to tell the shop that you want the steering wheel position centered. Centering the steering wheel should be part of a competent front end alignment.

[Chuck S.]

Re: 71- Steering Wheel Centering - HELP!!

Joe, as I read the CSM to try and help Peter, I began to wonder if it's possible to get the steering gear off center of it's full travel with the "high-point" mark on top of the shaft, making it necessary to count the worm gear shaft turns to center the steering gear.

No such process is mentioned in the CSM, but it does say to turn the steering wheel back one full turn off the steering gear stop after gently finding the stop by turning all the way in one direction. I presume this means there are only two turns in the steering gear from lock to lock, and that it would be "instantly obvious" if you got the steering gear off center?

To my amazement, recentering the steering wheel by pulling the wheel and repositioning WAS mentioned in the 70 CSM as an alternative in wheel centering. I couldn't believe it...I had a 66 Impala, and I'm pretty sure the steering wheel would only go mount on the column shaft in ONE position...Did they change the design on subsequent years, or is my memory faulty?

[Jimmy B.]

Re: 71- Steering Wheel Centering - HELP!!

Peter,

I just replaced the steering box in my 69 and encountered the same problem you did. I was off 90 degrees or so. Off to the alignment shop, "Bill Lee's Performance" here in Bradenton, Florida and now all is perfect. I opted not to go messing with my tie rod ends themselves but "left it to the professionals". Good luck.

Jim Blakely

[Peter B.]

Re: 71- Steering Wheel Centering - HELP!!

First of all - Thank you to everyone for your help.

Michael, yes, the steering wheel shaft is keyed. There is a disk under the steering wheel hub that is used to lock the wheel in place when you take the key out of the ignition. That disk ONLY goes on the shaft in one location. There is a odd shape hole in that disk that allows the horn pin to go through. That means you have very little play in where the horn button can pertrude through this disk. Well, then the steering wheel hub has to be put in a place where the horn button can go through.

Off to the shop I go.

Thanks again everyone.

[Chuck S.]

Re: 71- Steering Wheel Centering - HELP!!

I'm not sure I understand the problem here yet, but I would try everything else before I multilated an original part to compensate for other problems in the steering system.

[Joe L.]

Re: 71- Steering Wheel Centering - HELP!!

Jim------

For 1969, you may not have the benefit of the "keyed" coupler and worm shaft. Unless the car is a very late 1969, after ABOUT September, 1969, it probably has the 63-E69 style worm shaft. These are not "keyed" and the coupler can be installed in any position.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 71- Steering Wheel Centering - HELP!!

Peter
I know that by 73 the steering wheel will only fit in one position on the shaft. Every connection was a one way only fit from the steering wheel to the pitman arm. I did install the bolts in the rag joint after cleaning it on the wrong side and the steering wheel was 180 degrees off. An alignment shop can fix it or adjust it out yourself.
Lyle

[Mark A.]

Re: 71- Steering Wheel Centering - HELP!!

Turn your wheel lock to lock and count the turns. Turn back the appropriate amount of turns to center the wheel. I string the car front to rear to set the toe. Do this by taking two jack stands on each side of the car. Set one in front, and one behind. Tie string on the top of the jack stands and pull snug. Measure at the front and rear of frame siderails to the string. Adjust the string until it is parrallel with frame. Now measure from the front of the tire to string and the back of the tire to string. If the tire has 0 toe, the measurement will be the same. You can also use toe plates to double check this. When the toe is set where you want it, adjust the tie rod sleeves to center the wheel. Your toe will remain the same. Mark