crooked steering wheel

[Tourniqet]

Ok,

My steering wheel is crooked. It is not out of alignment or anything but the actualy steering wheel is moved over about an inch to the right.

When I look down the column it does not line up in the center with the gauges. In fact the plastic on the column has scratches where it has rubbed up against the collar on the dash for the plastic column.

Do you guys know what this is?
I know the car was hit on the driver side door, and suspected that is the reason, but when I look under the dash at the steering shaft allt he way to the fire wall, it looks like its in place. In other words none of the braces look like they ahve been bent or anything....

[Ken Potter]

My GT is the same way. I plan on slightly loosening all of the mounting bolts and giving it a good push over to the passenger side to see if it will move to where it's supposed to be. I'll be doing this at some point when I don't have anything else better to do... I only really notice it when I haven't driven it for awhile. After driving for a day or so it seems normal. It also has been wrecked in the front at somepoint in it's life. There are alot of brackets under there that either support or attach to something else on the column.

[Majestic]

When mine was like that I loosened the shaft gear from the rack, adjusted the wheel to position and then tightened it back up. Fine ever since.

Chris

[SVOeric]

the mounting holes for the column are slotted.

remove the hood-release, and loosen the nuts that hold on the steering column. push it where you want it, and tighten the nuts back up

I can't remember right off, but there may be a second set of mounting bolts farther down the column that may need to be loose when you do this too...

[Ken Potter]

Yes there are 4 bolts that hold the actual column / tube to the bracket that carries the clutch & brake pedal assembly. I know there are also support brackets that tie the C & B assm. to the door jamb ( left side of column ) and cowl / base / bottom of windshield. The C & B assm. attaches to the firewall with four bolts that also are the brake booster attaching hardware. Some of these are accessible but others are blocked by the dashboard itself. If any of your brackets are bent I may still have a few laying around that I haven't recycled yet.

[Tourniqet]

It is already slid all the way over...

I am contemplating just making a new bracket for it, or modifying the old one so it will slide more.

I know this might not be the best fix but I need about an inch.

What do you guys think.

[sar4497]

A lot of cars have slightly crooked steering wheels if you really pay attention. This is just due to clearance issues. I'm not saying that's what your problem is, but it's possible.

[Majestic]

Or you could seperate the shaft gear from the rack, turn the wheel to the center point and then reinstall the gear. Oh, that's right, I already said that.

Chris

[Tourniqet]

Chris,

I am not sure if we are thinking of the same problem. My wheel is centered in the turning sese. But the whole steering wheel and column assembly is shifted to the right. If I took it off the rack wouldn't the hole that it goes through the firewall assembly be restricting it from moving? Anyway I am having problems visualizing your idea.

[Majestic]

I misunderstood your problem. I thought you were saying that when the wheels are straight the steering wheel is not straight. I have no input on the actual shaft being off center. These guys know way more than me as far as that goes.

Chris