Centering Steering wheel

[PaulZ]

Got an aftermarket Grant wheel on my '83 K5. It was straight going down the road but my turn signal cam wasn't right. Read that the horn thingy is supposed to be at 10 oclock, so I undid the wheel screws and clocked it to the wheel. That fixed that but now the wheel was off when going straight. As I remember, the plate the horn thingy goes through goes on the shaft splines only on one way, So, I adjusted the drag link (if that's what you call it) from the box to the steering arm until the wheel is centered. But now the ends only enter the center sleeve to just past the clamps, so I have about an 1-1/2" of engagement. Going the other way they bottom out before the wheel is centered.

Am I good? Is there another way to center things?

 

[diesel4me]

All I've done is ensure the mark on the steering shaft under the hex nut is aligned with the mark on the steering wheel hub (on a stock GM wheel--its just a chisel mark),and make sure you have the steering box centered by determining it has an equal amount of turns from "center" to lock to lock in each direction ,then if the steering wheel isn't straight while going straight on a flat level road,I adjust the drag link sleeve until it is..

Be aware if your toe-in is off,it may affect the straight ahead steering wheel position..sometimes you may have to remove one tie rod from the knuckle and adjust each one separately to get them both "equal"..
I set my 4x4's at zero to 3/16" toe-in...

I'm not sure what amount of threads on the drag link ends should be inside the sleeve,but I'd guess an inch or more would be about right..any less may encourage the sleeve to buckle up easier in an impact situation since it would be "empty" in the middle ..

 

[PaulZ]

Thanks, I'll check the things you mentioned. Now that I've extended the drag link, the pitman arm rubs on the tire on full right turns so I'll have to do something.

 

[Blue85]

There is basically only one way for the steering wheel to be "right" on the column. Sounds like you've already covered that. Adjusting the drag link is the correct way to center the steering wheel, but everything has to be done first. Do you have a lift on the truck? This forces you to lengthen the drag link unless you correct the geometry with the raised steering arm (as you should). I suppose super saggy springs could do something similar. Is the pitman arm exactly perpendicular to the box when your wheels are pointed straight? If not (or very close), something is still wrong. IIRC you can't flip the steering shaft connection at either end - they only go on one way. Trying to adjust the drag link for a whole steering wheel revolution will ruin your turning radius in one direction. Plus, the cut of the pitman arm and box piston are designed for the box to be centered when you're driving straight.