Steering Wheel

[69 Post Sedan]

Okay, I've been working on my steering wheel being upside down since I had the front end aligned. Dan has been helping me but I'm stumped.

I've tried flipping every connection 180* but it doesn't work.

Has anyone had this problem or did the alignment shop screw up?

Thanks, Kurt

[Lynn]

Original box?
Any other parts changed out?
Ever been hit?

Raise the front wheels off the ground.
Turn wheel all the way to each side and see if it is the same, i.e. 1.75 turns left, and 1.75 turns right.
That is a good start.

[69 Post Sedan]

I guess I should have mentioned that I rebuilt the front suspension this winter/spring.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthrea...delu#Post611260 (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/611260/re-sold-my-1969-ss396-300-delu#Post611260)

It's not the original steering box. I believe it's a 1973.
I'm not sure what else was changed if anything.
It doesn't appear to have ever been hit.

I get about 2-1/2 turns one way and 2-3/4 the other.

When I got in the car I noticed the steering wheel was upside down right away....I went back in to tell them and they told me they didn't know which way it went. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/bs.gif

I'm convinced it's in the alignment so I'm going to have to take it somewhere that has a mechanic older than 35 years old. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif

Kurt

[Lynn]

Power steering? (I know there is probably a pic that shows power or manual on the other thread, but I didn't see it).
Have you had the steering column apart?

Did this box allow you to install the coupler in more than one location (i.e. is there a flat spot on the shaft)?
Count the number of exposed threads on each tie rod.
I know it may sound silly, but that will give us a clue.

[69 Post Sedan]

Manual steering.

No....I tried every joint to try and flip it 180* but to no avail.

I measured the original tie rods and put the new ones close to that but who knows what's correct at this point?

Kurt

[69 Post Sedan]

I have a 1969 steering box for the car but was going to have it gone through and make sure that what I have will bolt right up.

Kurt

[Woj]

Kurt,

Did you find the index mark on the input shaft of the steering box? There is a very small one that lines up with an index point on the rag joint. The mark is
very difficult to see, might have to use some 000 steel wool or 2000 grit sandpaper to find it.

Let me know if this helps. I can get a picture if you need it.

Phil Woj.

[njsteve]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 69 Post Sedan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">


I get about 2-1/2 turns one way and 2-3/4 the other.



Kurt </div></div>

That says it all.

You need to turn the steering wheel until the steering wheel's travel is the same, turning left and right. Then turn the ignition key into the off/lock position with the wheel in that spot. I would bet that the steering wheel will be in the correct position then, even thought the tires will be pointing slightly left or right. At that point the tie rod ends need to be loosened and turned in whatever direction it takes to return the front wheels to their straight ahead position. You will then need to get the toe set correctly by a competent shop, or do what I did when I swapped out a column in my T/A and found out that the tilt columns were clocked differently than the non-tilt columns:

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/99416/107

[69 Post Sedan]

Thanks for the replies and PM's.

From the steering wheel down to the steering box, there is really only one position to have everything....from a mark/notch on the part or a groove in the part where a bolt goes through and it appears everything is in position.

I'm contemplating trailering it to the Chicago area where Dan Vasic takes his cars and having it done right.

Thanks again, Kurt

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/05/full-4752-25922-dsc01420.jpg

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/05/full-4752-25923-dsc01421.jpg

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/05/full-4752-25924-dsc01424.jpg

[njsteve]

You are correct. You have everything lined up properly. You just need the tie rods ends adjusted to move the wheels to the position where they line up with the steering wheel in it's proper position.

To put it in a more simplier (one of my kid's words) form, <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif your front end is currently toed to the right (or left) instead of being toed in or out. You just need to have the toe re-set to match the steering wheel when it is in the correct 6 o'clock position.

[69 Post Sedan]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You are correct. You have everything lined up properly. You just need the tie rods ends adjusted to move the wheels to the position where they lined up with the steering wheel in the proper position.

To put it in a more simplier (one of my kid's words) form, <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif your front end is currently toed to the right (or left) instead of being toed in or out. You just need to have the toe re-set to match the steering wheel. </div></div>

Thanks, Steve <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[SS427]

Kurt,
The most common error made with these is when people restore the intermediate shaft and do not index it before disassembly. In doing so they often times get the CV cup mounted 180* off which will give you the symptoms you are describing. However and based on the photographs you posted it appears to me the two halves of your rag joint itself are off 180*. The two heads of the cross bolts should be very close to each other not opposite of each other like yours shows. I am not even sure how it could get assembled that way as the bolts that hold the two halves of the rag together are different sizes as well as the holes in the rubber rag but it is in fact wrong based on what I see. Disassemble your rag joint and reassemble it based on the attached photos and you should then be able to align everything.

Whenever I do these cars I center the steering gear based on the center of lock to lock. I then adjust the tie rods to give me a very close dead straight on look. From there I attached the intermediate shaft and connect it to the steering column. If your steering wheel is not right side up or the index mark on the steering column shaft where the steering wheel nut attaches then something in your intermediate shaft is 180* just like what you have. Hope this helps.
Rick

[SS427]

I might add, unless you moved the column while taking your above shots you have another issue as your inboard rag joint cross bolt should be 90* to your CV cross bolt. In the photos (and again unless the shaft was turned between shots) are in the same plane and not 90* off like my photos show. I am not sure it is even possible to get them 90* off so I will assume the pictures were taken at different times.

[69 Post Sedan]

Rick, I did turn the wheel to get a better shot of the bolts and location.

[SS427]

That is what I was hoping. I would then say if you index the two halves of your rag joint you should be back in business.
Rick

[Woj]

Kurt,

I snapped a couple of photos of the one on my '69. The index groove on the input shaft of the steering box is very light and hard to see. Mine is filled with light rust, but became visible after a light abrasive cleaning.

I had the exact same problem you are having and it was a matter of finding this index mark on the steering box input shaft. On the 69 steering box, the rag joint can slide in anywhere it contacts the splines on the input shaft. I noticed on your second picture that I can see an index mark on the shaft(under the paint), just after the splines -- moving toward the box itself. Here are a couple of photos of the one on my car. Hope this helps.

Phil Woj.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii116/Woj1969/Car%20data/IMG_0218_zpshhvv0fct.jpg (http://s262.photobucket.com/user/Woj1969/media/Car%20data/IMG_0218_zpshhvv0fct.jpg.html)

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii116/Woj1969/Car%20data/IMG_0218%202_zpsz4ru5wrz.jpg (http://s262.photobucket.com/user/Woj1969/media/Car%20data/IMG_0218%202_zpsz4ru5wrz.jpg.html)

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii116/Woj1969/Car%20data/IMG_0217_zpsj18vdg0l.jpg (http://s262.photobucket.com/user/Woj1969/media/Car%20data/IMG_0217_zpsj18vdg0l.jpg.html)

[69 Post Sedan]

Thanks guys......great information. I will do some more investigating sometime this week and get the results.

Kurt <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/youguysrock.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[parkbrau]

Have you tried out Jim Sheas steering web page? Scroll down to the &quot;Steering wheel centering&quot; link

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

[69 Post Sedan]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: John S.</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have you tried out Jim Sheas steering web page? Scroll down to the &quot;Steering wheel centering&quot; link

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

</div></div>

No I haven't. Thanks for the link.....I'll check it out.

Kurt

[69 Post Sedan]

Today I loosened the rag joint, slid it back and lined it up with the mark just like Phil explained in his pictures.

The steering wheel is about a 1/4 turn off now which is what it was side to side so it should even out now and center up (fingers crossed).

I will be honest....I have know idea how to get the rag joint to look like the one in your pictures Rick. With that being said, I think it will be okay now but unfortunately, I have to take it back (to a different alignment shop) and have them realign it again.

Thanks again for all the help.

Kurt
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/05/full-4752-26096-dsc01420.jpg

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/05/full-4752-26093-dsc01433.jpg

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/05/full-4752-26094-dsc01434.jpg

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/05/full-4752-26095-dsc01435.jpg

[Postsedan]

Well done Kurt <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dan