Steering Wheel

[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, [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. </div></div>

Thanks, Steve [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

[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.

[69 Post Sedan]

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

Kurt [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/youguysrock.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

[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