c2 steering wheel alignment.

[John P.]

Hello all,

My 1965 327 convertible just had the power steering valve and cylinder replaced, by me. All went smoothly.

I have noticed-maybe previously- that the steering wheel is not centered at 12 o'clock with wheels straight-and maybe this has been present but I didn't appreciate it much.

I have skimmed through the archives on this, as well as the shop manual.

What is the best way to approach the problem? Seems there are different thoughts on the matter.

[Duke W.]

Re: c2 steering wheel alignment.

You have to tweak the tie rods. If the steering wheel is only very slightly off you might be able to tweak just one and keep toe is the proper range.

Duke

[Don H.]

Re: c2 steering wheel alignment.

Assuming the front end alignment is correct, pull the steering wheel and install it in the correct position.

[John P.]

Re: c2 steering wheel alignment.

Assuming the front end alignment is correct, pull the steering wheel and install it in the correct position.

these are the 2 opinions I am reading.

if pulling the whee , is this done in the cockpit, not at the steering gear? What would be a reason to go with the tie rods change instead?

[Don H.]

Re: c2 steering wheel alignment.

You would need a steering wheel puller to pull the wheel (in the cockpit). Make sure the wheels are straight before you pull the wheel, then install it with the steering wheel straight.

[Dan H.]

Re: c2 steering wheel alignment.

Michael Hanson gives the correct alignment procedures in a response to Michael Garvers question below, check it out, it works.

[Ed S.]

Re: c2 steering wheel alignment.

If you are confident that the alignment is correct - and it doesn't wander or pull to either side and tire wear is uniformly even then I would suggest pulling the steering wheel and reposition it - easy task. If you don't have a wheel puller you can borrow one from Auto Zone or Advanced Auto no charge.

[Stephen L.]

Re: c2 steering wheel alignment.

Isn't the steering wheel keyed (no grooves in one area) so that it can only go in one position relative to the shaft? That puts you back to tie rod adjustment. If the toe-in is correct, can you not count the turns (or partial turns) of the tie rod adjustment and turn the other tie rod in the opposite direction the same number of turns?

[Ed S.]

Re: c2 steering wheel alignment.

Isn't the steering wheel keyed (no grooves in one area) so that it can only go in one position relative to the shaft? That puts you back to tie rod adjustment. If the toe-in is correct, can you not count the turns (or partial turns) of the tie rod adjustment and turn the other tie rod in the opposite direction the same number of turns?

The short answer is No. On the steering wheel end of the shaft the shaft spline runs 360 degrees around the shaft. I happen to have my steering shaft out - I am attaching 2 pics - one looking down from the top - difficult to see but the spline goes all the way around - there is no key or flat spot. steer 1 .JPG steer 2.JPG

[Dan H.]

Re: c2 steering wheel alignment.

Ed, there should be mark on the column to match a mark on your steering wheel hub when wheels are straight ahead, this should correspond to the mark on the steering box shaft when at top dead center. Your shaft has been damaged and no mark is visable now.

[Ed S.]

Re: c2 steering wheel alignment.

Ed, there should be mark on the column to match a mark on your steering wheel hub when wheels are straight ahead, this should correspond to the mark on the steering box shaft when at top dead center. Your shaft has been damaged and no mark is visable now.

Yeah - I know! Going to be a trial and error operation when I reinstall. The point I was making is that there is no "key" or flat spot - the spline goes 360 so it is possible to make minor one tooth adjustments either way. But..... you are correct..... the alignment marks should line up - it would be nice to have them.

[Stephen L.]

Re: c2 steering wheel alignment.

Thanks Ed. It's been years since I had mine apart and I couldn't remember.........

[Duke W.]

Re: c2 steering wheel alignment.

Don't go down the bubba path. Look at your AIM. There are match marks on the shaft and wheel hub to properly index the wheel to the shaft. This keeps the gear on the "high point" with the wheel straight ahead with equal toe on both wheels. The photo of the shaft end above looks like it's mangled and the index mark is no longer visible.

Check your steering wheel/shaft indexing. If it's correct tweak one or both tie rods to get the wheel straight. If not, correct the hub/shaft indexing and reset the toe-in.

If you don't know how to set toe and tweak it as necessary to straighten the wheel, take it to a shop that knows what they're doing.

Duke

[Jim L.]

Re: c2 steering wheel alignment.

Hello all,

My 1965 327 convertible just had the power steering valve and cylinder replaced, by me. All went smoothly.

I have noticed-maybe previously- that the steering wheel is not centered at 12 o'clock with wheels straight-and maybe this has been present but I didn't appreciate it much.

I have skimmed through the archives on this, as well as the shop manual.

What is the best way to approach the problem? Seems there are different thoughts on the matter.

I don't know the "best" way to fix it but I'll tell you what the problem is and you can decide what to do.

When the new control valve is screwed onto the end of the relay rod, centering of the steering wheel WILL be affected unless the new valve is screwed on exactly as far as was the old valve.

Screw the valve on too far and the steering wheel will be biased one direction. Not far enough, and the wheel will be biased to the other direction.

Ergo, one way to resolve the centering issue is to re-position the new valve to match the position of the former valve.

[Gary R.]

Re: c2 steering wheel alignment.

I don't know the "best" way to fix it but I'll tell you what the problem is and you can decide what to do.

When the new control valve is screwed onto the end of the relay rod, centering of the steering wheel WILL be affected unless the new valve is screwed on exactly as far as was the old valve.

Screw the valve on too far and the steering wheel will be biased one direction. Not far enough, and the wheel will be biased to the other direction.

Ergo, one way to resolve the centering issue is to re-position the new valve to match the position of the former valve.

Bingo, if the box was not touched and the steering wheel was centered before then the position of the control valve on the center link is where I would be looking as well.

Also the factory chisel marks on the box input are all over the place, some are on true center, some high lash, once in awhile both but optimal steering can't be achieved without knowing where the point is for high lash.