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.

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthrea...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. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/bs.gif[/img]

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. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img]

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:

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbt...pics/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

[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, [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] 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.