Hey Guys,

Does anyone know of an easy way to get the steering column aligned.



In this picture, the wheels are straight, however, the steering wheel is not.

The coupler that goes from the steering box to the column both have notches that only allow it to be installed one way.
Do I have to disassemble this thing again to get it straight?
Anyone have any tips? Jim you out there?

FYI, it's a 71 coupe with a telt/tele from a 77.

Thanks
KO

 

Loosen and turn both tie rod connectors in the same direction, the same number of turns (and partial turn).
This will keep the toe in/out the same but will adjust the direction that the steering wheel is facing.

hth

 

I just went through this with my '73 with a T/T. You can take the wheel off and reinstall it on another spline tooth.

But first do what I did. Read Jim Shea's papers on this.

The first thing I did after rebuilding the steering column was to be sure the scribe marks on the column shaft were aligned correctly when I reassembled it. Then find the steering gear center point by turning the wheel lock to lock and returning half the distance. Then I made sure the rag joint was at TDC on the steering gear splines with the gear at TDC. I then installed the steering wheel on the splines properly aligned.

Finally I drove the car onto my lift with the car moving straight ahead (that caused the steeering wheel to be off center again but that's o.k. for now). I used a laser pointer mounted to the wheel to mark a point on the wall 6 feet away as to where straight driving is. I then turned the steering wheel (knowing the gear, rag joint and steering wheel where in alignment) to the correct position. Finally as mentioned by others, I adjusted the tie rod ends (turn both sides in the same direction) to move the laser pointer to coinside with the original mark on the wall.

Now the wheels, steering gear, rag joint and steering wheel are all in alignment while the car is driven in a straight line.

Read Jim Shea's paper!!! Jim has provided invaluable information for us regarding steering that I am forever grateful.

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?page_id=4

 

The tie rods should only be used for slight adjustment. The wheel is off to much for tie rods alone. I agree with the above poster just take apart the column to the splined shaft and put the wheel back on straight. Then align with the tie rods. I just rebuilt my column and went through this very procedure. Not hard to do at all. Did you modify the lower housing on the 77 column? You need to trim part of the housing away so it fits the early dash.

 

Here is the paper on steering system centering in pdf format.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ev28jl2009.pdf
Jim

 

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the help. I disassembled the top end to this part






Realigned and much better now.



I'll do the detailed alignment using the tie-rod method as soon as she's running.

Thanks,
KO