68 Riviera steering wheel position

Discussion in 'The whoa and the sway.' started by Michael O, Jun 11, 2018.

  1. Michael O

    Michael O Well-Known Member

    So I just completed a complete front end rebuild on my 68. Everything! I had the alignment done and it drives straight as an arrow except my wheel is at the 9 o'clock position. Will adjusting the tie rod sleeves fix this? Your input is appreciated!

    Michael
     
  2. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

  3. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    Your alignment guy should have centered the wheel when he did the alignment
     
  4. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Turn the front tie rod sleeves in the SAME direction the EXACT number of turns and it will move the wheel position without changing the toe setting.
     
  5. Brad W

    Brad W Miles from nowhere...

    Not to hijack this thread but I have the same problem with my '72 skylark. I took it in for a front end alingment and even though the car drives straight and stops straight the stearing wheel is at about 2:0o when the car is going straight. Which way would I turn the tie rod sleeves to compensate.

    Thanks,
    Brad
     
  6. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Can’t tell you which way honestly, but try one way and see the effect. You have a 50/50 chance of being right the first time.:D As long as you turn both sleeves exactly the same amount and direction, you won’t change toe, just wheel position.
     
  7. GSX 554

    GSX 554 Gold Level Contributor

    I look at where the steering wheel position is , Then hold my hands out in front of me and move them in the direction that will center the wheel . Now I know which way the wheels need to move to be straight ahead . One side will have to be shortened and the other side will have to be lengthened . I then look at the threads on the tie rod ends and I know what direction to turn to either shorten or lengthen the tie rod to bring the wheels to the straight ahead position. As Larry said if you turn both tie rods the same amount you will not change toe-in .
     
  8. BuickV8Mike

    BuickV8Mike SD Buick Fan

    Is the steering wheel clocked correctly on the shaft? That would seem to be an easier adjustment.
     
  9. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    This happened after an alignment. The wheel position should have been corrected at that time. That is part of an alignment. I would take the car back to the shop and have them finish the job. Pretty sure they didn’t remove the steering wheel and put it back on wrong.
     
    Briz likes this.
  10. lemmy-67

    lemmy-67 Platinum Level Contributor

    Is the pitman arm centered?
     
  11. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    If just a standard alignment was done the front wasn't referenced to the rear. You NEED to do a 4 wheel alignment. As the front is referenced to the rear.
     
  12. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    So you had your alignment done and the they gave you your car back with a steering wheel at 9 o'clock?? did they mention that to you? If they didn't straighten the steering wheel. what else didn't they do?

    Don't adjust ANYTHING! Bring it back and tell them to do what you paid for. Make sure you get before and after printouts
     

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