47-55.1 *Steering Wheel Centering*

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by Zippi

My steering wheel is not straight. Got my wheel puller out and pulled the steering wheel to center it on the column. Looks like there is a gray plastic housing holding the spring for the horn it looks like. I was going to remove the gray plastic piece that holds the spring but I could not remove the metal piece on top. I tried prying it up with 2 screw drivers but it is tight. Does this piece require a puller?

you do not remove the metal piece by prying, you push it down and remove a c clip, and if that sounds hard then you should be relieved to know that removing it will not center your steering wheel. that horn button pass through will not ever be placed in a different position.

to center the wheel, you have to adjust the tie rods. if your steering wheel is pointing left, you need to adjust BOTH tie rods an equal amount to the LEFT (think of it this way, if your steering wheel is pointing left and the truck is going straight, if you turn and hold the steering wheel straight the truck will turn right, so you adjust the tie rods equally to turn more left). adjusting both tie rods equally will not impact the centering ability of the truck when you let go of the wheel, only the centering of the steering wheel itself.

incidentally, if you push down on the grey piece and turn it counter clockwise, it will come right out. but again, thaat wont help you. that metal plate is there to protect the ignition lock from being broken and the truck being easily stolen.

[Zippi]

Originally Posted by joedoh

you do not remove the metal piece by prying, you push it down and remove a c clip, and if that sounds hard then you should be relieved to know that removing it will not center your steering wheel. that horn button pass through will not ever be placed in a different position.

to center the wheel, you have to adjust the tie rods. if your steering wheel is pointing left, you need to adjust BOTH tie rods an equal amount to the LEFT (think of it this way, if your steering wheel is pointing left and the truck is going straight, if you turn and hold the steering wheel straight the truck will turn right, so you adjust the tie rods equally to turn more left). adjusting both tie rods equally will not impact the centering ability of the truck when you let go of the wheel, only the centering of the steering wheel itself.

incidentally, if you push down on the grey piece and turn it counter clockwise, it will come right out. but again, thaat wont help you. that metal plate is there to protect the ignition lock from being broken and the truck being easily stolen.

Understood. I was thinking once the C clip and plate is removed I could just remove the plastic piece that holds the horn spring And then replace the metal plate. This way I could center my steering wheel. Is that not possible ?

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by Zippi

Understood. I was thinking once the C clip and plate is removed I could just remove the plastic piece that holds the horn spring And then replace the metal plate. This way I could center my steering wheel. Is that not possible ?

nope. because your turn signal cam is part of all of it, and you will end up canceling a left turn almost immediately and maybe never cancelling a right turn. which now that I think about it, may be an existing problem you have now.


edit: it may sound harder to adjust the tie rods, but compared to what you are doing, and losing the horn button, its actually much much easier. loosen the tie rod adjuster bolts, use channel locks, adjust both sides the same amount ( I go in half turns of the adjuster until I understand how much its moving) and then drive a bit to check (after tightening the adjusters). you will probably have more time and swearing in just removing that plate, they are really a pain to get off.

alternatively, depending on the steering box you are using, you MIGHT have a 30 spline on the steering box and you could pull the rag joint/u joint off at the box, turn it slightly, and put it back on. if its a stock AD steering box though, forget I mentioned it.

[Zippi]

Originally Posted by joedoh

nope. because your turn signal cam is part of all of it, and you will end up canceling a left turn almost immediately and maybe never cancelling a right turn. which now that I think about it, may be an existing problem you have now.


edit: it may sound harder to adjust the tie rods, but compared to what you are doing, and losing the horn button, its actually much much easier. loosen the tie rod adjuster bolts, use channel locks, adjust both sides the same amount ( I go in half turns of the adjuster until I understand how much its moving) and then drive a bit to check (after tightening the adjusters). you will probably have more time and swearing in just removing that plate, they are really a pain to get off.

alternatively, depending on the steering box you are using, you MIGHT have a 30 spline on the steering box and you could pull the rag joint/u joint off at the box, turn it slightly, and put it back on. if its a stock AD steering box though, forget I mentioned it.

Ok......there's more than one way to skin a cat. So...if the plastic plate is needed for the turn signals what if I pulled the plastic plate out, trimmed off the tower that holds the horn spring and then replaced the plastic piece.

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by Zippi

Ok......there's more than one way to skin a cat. So...if the plastic plate is needed for the turn signals what if I pulled the plastic plate out, trimmed off the tower that holds the horn spring and then replaced the plastic piece.

you seem determined to do it your way, I am going to stop short of saying it WONT work and just wish you luck. Good luck!

[Zippi]

Originally Posted by joedoh

you seem determined to do it your way, I am going to stop short of saying it WONT work and just wish you luck. Good luck!

I appreciate all your info.