The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Steering Wheel Centering/Alignment

Greetings, Try as I did, can't seem to locate any threads on steering wheel centering for my '53 3600 Chevy. Here's what is going on with my truck. Bought it 7 months ago and have been fixing, correcting and servicing it since then. Finally on the 25th of this month, I got it on the road for it's first test drive. Ear to ear smile. Well, the truck drove straight down the road, but the steering wheel is severally un-centered (straight ahead is at 9 o'clock instead of 12 o'clock). I haven't touched the alignment or steering since I got the truck. I was hoping someone might be able to instruct me on an easy fix, if it's possible to do so. I hate to touch the alignment, since it tracks and turns so well. Thanks.

Sounds like all you need to do is to get a steering wheel puller and remove the steering wheel. With your tires point straight forward, just re-attach the steering wheel. I would then take the truck out for a quick spin to confirm that it is pointing straight to your likings. If not, remove once again and rotate it as needed.

The steering wheel is usually a pretty easy pull, it has two threaded inserts under the horn button (blow them out). If it has never been pulled before put a little PB Blaster or similar on the splines and let it sit a bit. Once you have it loose it will pop right off after that so as Craig said you can rotate it till satisfied.

Thanks, I'll give it a try. I figured the wheel might be "keyed" like another old classic I owned once upon a time, so I didn't even think to try that. By the way, nice truck! Thanks again.

You will probably find it difficult to find the exact straight ahead position with the truck just sitting there. I would suggest making a note of how much correction you need while driving and then apply that.

Not that I am suggesting this, but I know of some people who take their steering wheel puller along with them for a ride and adjust along the side of the road. Then again some have purposely not tighten the big nut down real hard, allowing one to wiggle the steering wheel off without needing the puller. Adjust and then try it again. Once you like the position, tighten the nut down permanently.

You might also with a sharpie make a mark on both the steering wheel and the steering rod for referencing where you started.

cheers

Here is a pic of the spline described above.
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I take a piece of chalk with me & as im going straight ahead I put a mark on the hub of the wheel & the turn switch cup. Then when you get to the shop you line up the marks, pull the wheel & put it on straight. Its true, the later models you cant do this.

Now THAT's way too easy

Just to be sure its the wheel thats off center, jack up the front so you can steer it easy left to right. Go full left, count the turns to full right, split the count and you should have center of the gear box. You should also feel a slight drag across center, if not adjust the box. The tight spot on center keeps the truck going straighter and you from steering it so much.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/booklets/5220mts01.htm

Joe

A harmonic balancer puller will also work as a steering wheel puller.

Make sure to disconnect the battery before you try removing the horn button.