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As the tittle says. How do you center the steering wheel after a DIY alignment job?

I removed the lower steering column cover and loosened the 10mm bolts on the upper and lower joints but they don't move.

so how do you go about doing that?

Thanks in advance.

George.

 

That steering U-joint cen get gummed up somehow making it very difficult to slide off like it should.

you have two options for centering the wheel. one, get that U-joint to break loose and refit it when the wheel is straight. two, undo the airbag (CAREFULLY! following all safety procedures) pop the center nut holding the wheel and ****** the wheel off, then set it back on straight.

i usually go with the second option becuase i feel comfortable disabling and handling airbags, i hate dealing with the U-joints and i can be sure the alignment is good the first time because i'm looking right at the wheel.

 

^x2

Take steering wheel off....put on straight.

 

I have done that, I was hoping for a simpler faster way at the joint.
Thank you gents!

 

You are supposed to center the steering wheel, lock it in place, then do your alignment.

 

Or if the steering wheel is cocked re-adjust toe to recenter.

Ideally one should keep the rack itself centered, if the steering wheel matches the center of the rack then toe is in need of proper adjustment.

With airbag cars the steering wheel has a finite amount of turns before the clock spring is damaged. Do not spin the steering wheel or rotate it beyond what it would naturally be turned in normal use.

Count how many turns the rack is from full lock left to full lock right, divide by two and that will be the racks center.
When reaching full lock left/right mark the top of the steering wheel, both marks should be symmetrical on the steering wheel. Rotate the wheel to where the rack is centered. If the wheel is cocked THEN remount the steering wheel or U-joints. But this should only be done if the steering components were taking apart before.

Tie rod adjusted lengths should be equal from left to right. But worn bushings/balljoints or a car that is bent may require uneven tierod lengths to track correctly.

 

We are talking about 3 degrees off ( steering wheel ) not enough adjustment to cause any of the problems listed. One click to the right is all it took.

 

Adjust the tie rods? Just count the threads you do on one side and then to the exact same on the other. I've done it on my S2000.

So if you move the right one 3 turns out, then move the left one 3 turns in.

I don't think removing the steering wheel is the method you should use.

 

I have to post pictures of my alignment jig. Tomorrow...