Steering wheel alignment issue
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 818
Likes: 70
From: Lancaster Ohio
Steering wheel alignment issue
So I replaced my 72 vette steering box with a newly rebuilt one from Bair's. Install was easy but when I took it out for a drive the steering wheel is off. The car drives straight and was aligned prior to this install a year ago. Everything is lined up on the box, rag joint etc. How do I correct the misaligned steering wheel.
Thanks
Joey
Thanks
Joey
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
Lengthen one tie rod while shortening the other. It depends on which way the steering wheel is mis aligned which tie rod to lengthen/shorten. Do them exactly the same number of turns. You want to make sure you have the same amount of turns in your steering wheel from center to full right as center to full left.
Last edited by SH-60B; Sep 15, 2018 at 09:52 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
So I replaced my 72 vette steering box with a newly rebuilt one from Bair's. Install was easy but when I took it out for a drive the steering wheel is off. The car drives straight and was aligned prior to this install a year ago. Everything is lined up on the box, rag joint etc. How do I correct the misaligned steering wheel.
Thanks
Joey
Thanks
Joey
eg. Steering wheel is off to the left when driving.
Start with 1/8 sleeve rotation.
1. You need to toe out the left wheel (shorten the left sleeve overall length tie rod to tie rod)
2.Toe in the right wheel (Lengthen the right sleeve overall length tie rod to tie rod)
if the steering wheel is off to the right when driving.
1. You need to toe in the left wheel (lengthen the left sleeve overall length tie rod to tie rod)
2.Toe out the right wheel (shorten the right sleeve overall length tie rod to tie rod)
Start by marking each sleeves position, mark the 12,3,6,9 oclock position so you know how much you are rotating them. I number the 12,3,6,9 positions as 1 , 2 ,3 ,4 so I know where I started. or you can measure from tie rod to tie rod length in case you get mixed up which way you turned them.
Continue with 1/8 sleeve rotation until you are happy with the steering wheel position.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 818
Likes: 70
From: Lancaster Ohio
Thanks for the help. Just strange that it was aligned and everything straight then it is off. And like said above everything is keyed to help it stay straight. I will work with the tie rods slowly and get it right.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 818
Likes: 70
From: Lancaster Ohio
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Originally Posted by SH-60B
Lengthen one tie rod while shortening the other. It depends on which way the steering wheel is mis aligned which tie rod to lengthen/shorten. Do them exactly the same number of turns. You want to make sure you have the same amount of turns in your steering wheel from center to full right as center to full left.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
Make sure that the gear box is centered, it has a slightly tighter spot in the center, if not then the tie rods were adjusted incorrectly. You can just pop off the steer wheel and reposition it as long as the I repeat the gear box is centered and then you don't have to mess with the tie rods. T
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
terrys6t8roadster said "You can just pop off the steer wheel and reposition " I have done this numerous times to change the position of the steering wheel hub one or two spline positions. (you do need a steering wheel puller to get the wheel loose) If you mess with turning the tie rods and get the number of turns wrong and mess up the toe in, you need to have the front end alignment done again. Plus.....which is easier, lying on ones back under the car turning tie rods or sitting in the comfortable driver seat moving the steering wheel?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
Simple trick to remove steer wheel; loosen nut until even with the top of threads, using two large hammers [wear safety glasses] push upward on steer wheel with knees with one hammer on nut and smack it with the second hammer. May require several hits to loosen depending on how long its been in place. Been using this method for decades. T
