Steering wheel crooked

[ericrat]

After replacing the steering box, I can't get the steering wheel even close to level. The pitman arm only goes on in certain positions, and no matter how I arrange the pieces, the steering wheel ends up off about 45 degrees.

My question is, is it more likely that I have aligned the pieces incorrectly or that I shouldn't have any expectation of being able to line the up with a new steering box? If I shouldn't expect them to line up I expect I should pull the steering wheel and recenter it that way.

 

[marc olivares]

did you lengthen or shorten your draglink at all? (the front steering bar)
this would put the steering wheel out.

 

[ericrat]

I didn't move the drag link, and I don't expect it would budge anymay.

FWIW, this is on a '96 D1.

 

[Lutzgaterr]

Why not remove the draglink and get your two tie-rod ends un-seized, then re-install and get a pipewrench and turn the draglink, clockwise or counter-cw, until the steering wheel aligns.

 

[roverover]

I agree with everyone Your drag link was just adjusted for a different box.


Good Luck

 

[jec]

Am I missing something here? If you had the new box locked at dead center with a centering bolt through the pitman arm during installation, shouldn't you be able to get the steering wheel centered by choosing which spline on the steering box input shaft you slide the steering shaft u-joint on to? That's how I recall doing my 95.
John

 

[Lutzgaterr]

I think you got lucky with that outcome. You would be surprised at what a 90-degree turn on that link will do to a steering wheel's alignment.

 

[95d1]

JEC is right. Put the pin back in and set the wheel with the steering shaft.

 

[ericrat]

"If you had the new box locked at dead center with a centering bolt through the pitman arm during installation"


Centering bolt, that is what I needed to know.

Thanks!

 

[jec]

And I forgot to mention ... I clamped the steering wheel in place so that it did not turn off dead center when I replaced the steering box. So I knew I was reinstalling the u-joint at the proper orientation.
John

 

[Artsand]

Hi Guys

Sorry but I think I have to disgree with that....

The shaft that comes from the steering wheel (the one with the u joint) only fits in one position due to the cut it has on the shaft end to pass the screw......you are able to fit in different splines position but it won't be possible to pass the screw....if the wheels are aligned, the draglink was not changed and the "new" steering box was centered from factory in first place, should be easy as cutting butter in summer.....

Is it a reconditioned box or a new one???

Have you drove the vehicule since you installed the box??? It may be that you have to adjust the play on the top screw of the box...

That or I'm missing something...

Be Well

 

[95d1]

On my 95 D1, there is only "cut" on the bottem part of the shaft, not the top. I just did mine today. Took it to a shop to get the alingement, then brought it home to fix it. Mechanics are great, they give me stuff to do.