QuestionTazz:
The steering wheel on my '49 Chevy 3100 had alot of play in it, so I adjusted it down to @1 inch. Now the wheel rides @45 degrees to the right with wheels straight. How do I center the wheel?
Thanks for your help.
AnswerOk, this is a little complicated to tell, but is actually not that hard to do.
First, locate your tie-rod ends that go to each tire.
Then put your wheel straight by driving the truck to where you stop. Mark position of the wheels.
Center the steering wheel where you want it with the tires straight or as close as possible. If you have a "club", lock the steering wheel in place, tie with a rope, get someone to hold it, etc.
Go under the truck and loosen all four nuts (2 on each) on the centering tube for your tie rod ends. Put a large screwdriver in the slot (or special tool E-whatever from Chevrolet) and start to turn it which ever way it takes to bring that tire back to where it was. Be careful to count the number of turns you make and even 1/2 or 1/4 turns.
Then, go and do the exact same number of turns to the other one, bring that tire back to straight.
Make sure you do not run out too much of the threads so there is not enough to hold. If you do, something is bent on your front end.
Tighten all nuts and test drive !
