VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Off center steering wheel

The steering wheel on my 51 is not centered. Can this be remedied by removing the steering wheel and re-installing a spline or two either way or is there a more proper way to fix this? Or does the steering wheel only go on in one position? Thanks for your help/advise.
Jeff

Yes there is a proper way to set the steering wheel in the straight ahead position. I suggest consulting the shop manual as it is a little more involved than just changing the spline arrangement . Basically the front wheels need to be in the straight ahead position and then the steering shaft checked to see if that is in the correct position. The drag link may need to be adjusted to center the steering gear. If the wheels are straight ahead, the steering box centered with the drag link connected then the position of the wheel can be changed if necessary.

The proper way to center the steering wheel is to center the steering gear. That includes centering the steering shaft in the steering box. Typically there is an indicator line on the top of the shaft that lines up with a mark on the steering wheel. If that does not center the wheel when the car is going straight down a "flat" surface (like a large parking lot) the it will be necessary to check the pitman arm, tie rods, etc. You also may want to rotate the steering shaft from stop to stop and then position exactly in the middle and install the steering wheel. If still not satisfied then take to a quality front end shop and they will sort it all out.

Be sure to consult your shop manual before doing any adjustments to the steering.

Thanks for all your responses. I do have the shop manual and will consult it but sometimes, through experience, a better/easier way is found so that's why I asked. Thanks again!
Jeff

Assuming everything is assembled correctly, the "Steering Connecting Rod" shown on page 9-4 of the 49-53 with 54 supplement service manual can be adjusted by loosening the end bolts and rotating the rod to lengthen or shorten it which changes the relationship of the steering wheel to the tires. See link to the page here:
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1949_53/09steering/9_04.HTM

Thanks for the response! I will look into this adjustment when I get home from Bloomington. Maybe this is all I need to do.
Jeff

Do the simple thing: just move the steeting wheel on the splines. All the other recommendations assume your stering mechanism has incorrect adjustment(s. If it is steering ok and there no excessive play in the steering parts then leave them alone.

Don't assume what has not manifest itself.

Best,

Charlie

As I posted above the best method is to check the service manual. No repairs should be attempted until properly diagnosed and the problem found. Even better than consulting the service manual is to take it to a competent service facility that can do old car front end alignment and have it checked and repaired. Fixing something without knowing what is causing the problem is like diving into the swimming pool and then checking to see if there is water in the pool.

Thanks to all who have responded. I will first go with the shop manual method and see if I can get it right. The steering on this car is straight as an arrow with no wandering or slop (radial tires). I adjusted the lash when I got the car and it is good. It just annoys me when the car is going straight the wheel is off. Next is the clutch which a topic for another thread.
Jeff