Steering box and linkage alignment process?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 49
Likes: 3
Steering box and linkage alignment process?
I went ahead and replaced all new tie rods, sleeves, relay rod, pitman arm, and rag joint in my 69. Unfortunately I did not make any alignment markings before removing the entire steering system
I plan on having it aligned, but what would be the process of putting everything back together in a "base level" alignment?
For example;
Center steering wheel
Install rag joint to steeting column
Install rag joint to gearbox with pitman arm straight forward
ect...
Or would I be better off installing all tie rods and relay rod first to have a reference point on where the pitman arm should fall?
Any advice is appreciated thanks
I plan on having it aligned, but what would be the process of putting everything back together in a "base level" alignment?
For example;
Center steering wheel
Install rag joint to steeting column
Install rag joint to gearbox with pitman arm straight forward
ect...
Or would I be better off installing all tie rods and relay rod first to have a reference point on where the pitman arm should fall?
Any advice is appreciated thanks
Last edited by Noah100; Mar 12, 2021 at 01:31 PM.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
Install all of the tie rods, idler, center link.....the AIM should have a end to end length for a start point on the inner and outer tie rod ends......straighten the rotors to the best to your abilities and then move the pitman to the right position.....then install rag and center wheel as close as possible......after the car is on the ground, one can center the wheel via the inner and outer tie rods.......do the tow first, then move each in the same increments side to side on the threaded sleeve to center the steering wheel. How I do it anyway.......I can get it almost spot on in my garage with a tape, a friend and beer.
Jebby
Jebby
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If you disassembled everything and then reassembled and now don’t know where you are, disconnect the relay rod from the pitman arm and center the steering box (turn the steering wheel from stop to stop and count the turns, divide by two and put the wheel there). Your steering wheel should be centered. Align the front wheels and reconnect the relay rod. Done.
If you disassembled everything and then reassembled and now don’t know where you are, disconnect the relay rod from the pitman arm and center the steering box (turn the steering wheel from stop to stop and count the turns, divide by two and put the wheel there). Your steering wheel should be centered. Align the front wheels and reconnect the relay rod. Done.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Turn the steering box full right and full left. Count the number of turns to go from one side to the other. Reverse rotation exactly 1/2 of the total turns lock--lock. The steering box is now centered. The steering wheel end of the steering column shaft has an orientation mark on it. Place that mark at 12 o'clock position (vertical). Now you can marry the steering column to the steering box via the 'ragjoint'.
The rest of the process is accomplished via 'in shop' front wheel alignment.
P.S. If you have power steering, the position of the center link needs to be adjusted per GM Service Manual or AIM.
The rest of the process is accomplished via 'in shop' front wheel alignment.
P.S. If you have power steering, the position of the center link needs to be adjusted per GM Service Manual or AIM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,990
From: Connecticut, USA
The box is the starting point then you work your way out. The center position, while "text book correct" may not be the point of high lash and that is really where you want the box to be going straight down the road. If you have the box out and have access to a good dial 0-30 TW or beam you can see where it is and make the adjustment from there. Many original boxes are off high lash and have been since day one. Some are dead on as well.
