Re: steering wheel aim...

["Todd Schinell" <alfatodd@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I believe that centering the wheel (on a splined shaft) when the box isn't
dead center is a bad idea.  Most steering boxes are designed to have zero
lash dead center and then slight play when turned to the right or left,  If
you change the alignment of the wheel to the box this relationship will not
be correct and you'll get lousy steering with too much play.

On power boxes it can cause a pull because the power valve expects the
center of the *box* to be straight ahead (not the center of the steering
wheel) and will try to attain that consequently pulling the steering wheel
away from center and the car to one side.

In a nutshell you want to put the box itself dead center first, then make
sure the steering wheel is centered too (not an issue with the later keyed
shafts), and finally set the alignment of the wheels/suspension via the tie
rods/caster/camber.  I think keying the shafts was generally a good idea by
the automakers...
___
 /<>/>/>

----- Original Message ----- 
> On the 105/115 cars, everything has to be done from below by diddling with
> the tie rods and drag link. The steering wheels are keyed to the shaft so
> there is no way to change the relationship between the shaft and wheel.
>
> Too bad, it is an otherwise easy way to center the wheel on many other
cars
> that have splined shafts and steering wheels.
>
> Jeff
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