Steering wheel centering - trick??

Jim F. · 06-09-2008, 09:12 AM

After switch project I have had the sterring wheel off and on 3 times trying to get it straight! The wheels are straight, sterring wheel slips on fine, tighten fine - I go out and it's 30-40 degrees off! I pull back in the garag - wheels striaght - steering wheel looks good - what am I doing wrong.
The road isn't that much banked, and I try to straddle the whit line to get a good feed on the wheel.
Gotta be a trick here.

PCA7GGR · 06-09-2008, 09:25 AM

Take it out for another drive and note, when going straight, which way it's off-center and by how much. Once back in the garage, remove the nut/washer, shift the steering wheel to the desired center position (usually one notch on the shaft spline), install/tighten the nut/washer and then go for another test drive - trial 'n error.

If it was centered before you removed it to play with your switch, the steering wheel shouldbe to centered again if positioned on the same spline orientation.

PCA7GGR · 06-09-2008, 09:25 AM

Take it out for another drive and note, when going straight, which way it's off-center and by how much. Once back in the garage, remove the nut/washer, shift the steering wheel to the desired center position (usually one notch on the shaft spline), install/tighten the nut/washer and then go for another test drive - trial 'n error.

If it was centered before you removed it to play with your switch, the steering wheel shouldbe to centered again if positioned on the same spline orientation.

tcar · 06-09-2008, 09:28 AM

Move 1 spline at a time.

Roads can be canted, even when they look level. To see if that's the problem, go one way on a given road, check steering wheel orientation, then turn around, do a 180, and come back to see the orientation. Drive down the center both times. (When there is NO other traffic).

I had this problem, and even though the wheels looked straight in the garage they were very slightly off. One way, then the other.

Move 1 spline at a time.

ramonesfreak · ramonesfreak's Garage

i took mine to the local college, after hours, when the huge parking lot was empty. or go to a mall late a night or early in morning

Undo the nut holding the wheel on. Starting at 1 end of lot, drive slowly until you know the car is going straight. STOP gently. Pull wheel off and put it back on straight. continue FWD to test if car is going straight with wheel going straight (if not, then repeat).

If it is.....take a long sharp object and make a decent scratch on both the metal of the wheel and the collumn ....or use a sharpy, so that next time the wheel comes of it will be simple to line up the marks and put back on straight

Jim F. · 06-09-2008, 02:36 PM

great tips - thx very much - here i go!!!

DavErb · 03:18 PM

I took the wheel off and pushed the car a couple of meters down my level driveway. The wheel castor forced the front wheels into the straight ahead position then I just used white grease pencil to mark the topmost male spline on the column and the center female spline on the wheel that was equidistant between the two upper wheel spokes. Pushed the wheel on , tightened everything up and I was ready to go. Just be sure the car is tracking straight when you push it

Jim F. · 06-09-2008, 05:18 PM

got it guys - thanks! it's a bit of trial and error - and patience, that's all. great forum!

Gogar · 06-09-2008, 05:34 PM

I guess i'm in a little late, but:

Before I even put the nut/washer on, I pull out of the garage and drive down my alley slowly to find center. re-orient and drive a little further, and see where you're at.

DON'T drive on a public road with your steering wheel unbuttoned.

When you get it right, you can put a notch or some nail polish on the end of your spline that marks the vertical.

john walker's workshop · 06-09-2008, 06:33 PM

all out of nail polish.