84 K5 Steering Wheel

[lmcmullen3]

When I bought the 84 K5, it had a Grant steering wheel installed. The truck came with a used OEM steering wheel in a box. Today I tried installing the OEM, but ran in to issues. With the front wheels straight, the horn contact shaft is clocked at around 3:30. However, the hole in the steering wheel for the horn contact shaft is around 10 o'clock. Thinking I could just reclock the lock plate, I removed it only to find out it only goes on the steering shaft one way (no way to reclock it).

So, do I have the wrong OEM steering wheel for the year model or am I missing something else? See photos.

 

[lmcmullen3]

Also, I have an 83 k5 sitting right next to it, but the horn button is rectangle rather than square as shown in the pic above. The hole for the horn contact shaft is also located around the 10 o'clock position. Is it possible the steering shaft was rotated 180 degrees? I seem to recall later model K5 blazers had the horn contact shaft in the 3:30 location but used a wire instead of a button.

 

[Fastereddie]

In your first pic you can see the little notch in the end of the shaft. That should be straight up. So yeah you’re clocking is off.

 

[lmcmullen3]

In your first pic you can see the little notch in the end of the shaft. That should be straight up. So yeah you’re clocking is off.

Thanks. I'll poke around today to figure out how to rotate the steering shaft 180. Will update after.

 

[lmcmullen3]

Ok... so I was overthinking this. There is only one way the collapsible shaft will connect to steering column and to the steering box. So one can't "reclock" the steering wheel. However, the drag link between the pitman arm and steering arm has an adjustment sleeve. I presume the people who installed the aftermarket steering wheel turned it out to adjust the steering wheel. It was just a simple matter of turning it back in to get the OEM straight (relative to the wheels).

 

[ktmoutfront]

You need to find the center of the box. Set the steering wheel by that, then set the drag link.

 

[lmcmullen3]

You need to find the center of the box. Set the steering wheel by that, then set the drag link.

Copy. Thanks for the insight. As soon as the "polar vortex 2025" passes Texas, I'll get out to the shop and make sure it's set correctly.

 

[dyeager535]

Also just an FYI, I've seen it on a GM car, no clue how they managed it, but a PO had connected the steering column to the steering box incorrectly. I believe all the surfaces are keyed for proper alignment, but won't hurt to verify the joints are all lined up properly. End up with little turning ability in one direction.

Normally these things in stock form can't be too far off from center without someone doing something very stupid.