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Topic: Steering wheel not level

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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Steering wheel not level (1/10)
 6/6/10 7:07pm
Jeffm
Former Member

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Sebago Lake, ME - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary L82 4spd (M21) Red Leather. Pace Car is in the hands of a new caretaker.


Joined: 2/15/2007
Posts: 964

Had an alignment done on the Silver Ann 2 years ago and the steering wheel has been 2" or 10 - 15 degrees off level when tracking straight. I should have taken it back but never got around to it. It really bugs me now and I was wondering how to fix it.
After looking under there I was thinking maybe I could turn the tie rod on each side the same amount a little bit until I get it just right. The steering wheel needs to go counterclockwise so the front of the tires need to point a little more to the right. Is that correct and is this how it's done? Or is it more involved? 
Thanks, Jeff
Jeffm2010-06-06 16:08:51
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Steering wheel not level (2/10)
 6/6/10 11:16pm
bio11
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Oklahoma City, OK - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LS5 Convertible,Auto.Targa Blue with Black Interior.


Joined: 4/1/2007
Posts: 432

I believe your thinking is correct. But it's been 2 years since you had aligned last. If it was me.....I would just go back and see if they will fix it. If not I would just have it realigned either there or somewhere else. Having the steering wheel off is very annoying.
Steering wheel not level (3/10)
 6/7/10 12:02pm
aceintheholeLifetime Member
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Manteca, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed


Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623

[QUOTE=bio11] Having the steering wheel off is very annoying. [/QUOTE]
 
I'm glad to hear you say that. I always thought I was a little bit "OFF" myself for being annoyed by steering wheel misalignment Wink.


______________

Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
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Steering wheel not level (4/10)
 6/7/10 12:10pm
anips
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sonoma, CA - USA

Vette(s):
72 LT-1 AC coupe,69 l-36 coupe


Joined: 8/9/2002
Posts: 784

sounds like the alignment shop didn't center the steering wheel before they did the alignment, if the car goes down the road good, I think I would pull the steering wheel  and center it before I messed around with the tire rod ends, if your off a little on the rod ends it screws up the alignment or do what Bio suggested.
Steering wheel not level (5/10)
 6/7/10 6:28pm
ranger3Lifetime Member
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North Charleston, SC - USA

Vette(s):
1975 L48 AT AC T-top


Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4176

Isn't the steering wheel indexed on the shaft?
 
Scott
Steering wheel not level (6/10)
 6/7/10 8:19pm
anips
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sonoma, CA - USA

Vette(s):
72 LT-1 AC coupe,69 l-36 coupe


Joined: 8/9/2002
Posts: 784

most all steering column shafts are fine splined, on my 72 the steering wheel is held onto a splined hub by 6 bolts and the hub is held onto the splined steering shaft with the shaft nut, my thought was to pull the horn assy, pull the shaft nut, pull wheel and hub and rotate the wheel and hub a couple splines, sometimes they work out perfect sometimes they don't, because yours is a 75 and mine is a 72 I would look at the exploded steering wheel view in your 75 manual before taking any thing apart, if your column is a tilt-telescoping I think I would go ahead with a front and rear alignment, to many parts to deal with on the T-T column anips2010-06-07 17:36:18
Steering wheel not level (7/10)
 6/10/10 12:03pm
VetteSpecialties
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Mounds View, MN - USA

Vette(s):
70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe


Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031

THe problem with moving the steering wheel is that you move it one notch at a time, and it would be a miracle if one of those notches was exactly centered.  The tie rod idea is perfectly safe and is the correct thing to do.  That is how it got off in the first place, so that is how you should fix it.

Larry
Steering wheel not level (8/10)
 6/10/10 4:56pm
Jeffm
Former Member

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Sebago Lake, ME - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary L82 4spd (M21) Red Leather. Pace Car is in the hands of a new caretaker.


Joined: 2/15/2007
Posts: 964

Thanks everyone. Haven't made it out into the garage lately but I think I'm gonna try the tie rod thing. Thumbs Up
Steering wheel not level (9/10)
 6/10/10 11:05pm
ranger3Lifetime Member
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North Charleston, SC - USA

Vette(s):
1975 L48 AT AC T-top


Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4176

I agree with Larry. I always used the tierod method for centering steering wheel.
 
Scott
Steering wheel not level (10/10)
 6/11/10 1:51pm
anips
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sonoma, CA - USA

Vette(s):
72 LT-1 AC coupe,69 l-36 coupe


Joined: 8/9/2002
Posts: 784

well if you do it from under the car I suggest that you put card board squares under the front tires so they turn easy, with the susp. set with the car on the ground sting the front tires to the rear tires to be sure the front is square with the rear before you start turning things, at that point your  wheel will be off center, bring your wheel to center and lock it down, turn the rods and string front to rear as you go till they are square again, I count out loud and write it down so hopefully I remember how many times I turn each one, good luck.
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