Steering Wheel Not Straight

[69Mach351]

Good day. I have a 1969 Mach One that I am either trying to convince myself to keep, or going to sell. Either way, one issue that has is bothering me, is that though the wheels are straight and the car tracks straight, the steering wheel is not. It is about 30 degrees or so, turned to the left. It is manual steering if that helps. The wheel (and most of the interior is) is original to the car. I am wondering if this is an easy fix or not. If so, is there a write up on how to do it? I have never messed with steering components before.

Thanks in advance!

 

[dodgestang]

Well if the alignment is true, and you are sure of it. Just unbolt it and bolt it back on.

Otherwise take it to an alignment shop and tell them "check the alignment and make sure the wheel is centered when you are done" and then come back in a couple hours

Personally, I would have an alignment shop do it because shops usually make sure the wheel is straight so I would expect it was either home aligned at some point or maybe it actually needs one and you don't notice things like a slightly larger turning radius in one direction and the other.

 

[Falcon79]

The at home fix is to take the steering wheel off and adjust it till it is where you want it. It is possible that the adjustments to the tie rod ends over time have caused the steering wheel to be out of place. A shop could fix this for you. If you are going to sell it, then save the money and adjust the steering wheel, otherwise, take it to the shop.

 

[ihadagt500]

Don't take the wheel off and relocate it unless it was already done improperly. Originally the steering wheel is set straight with the steering box centered . Then, with the steering wheel held in the straight ahead position, the toe is set. If the steering box is not centered, you will end up with more slack in the steering box when you are driving straight ahead. The steering box is adjusted only when it is in the centered position, when out of center there will be some slack. Unfortunately, many backyarders and alignment shops fail to realize this and wonder why they end up with sloppy steering.
You can check the centering of the box by turning the steering wheel one way to the stop and count the turns back to the other stop, then turn back the other way exactly 1/2 the distance. Where you end up is dead center for the steering box, that's where the steering wheel should be set and the toe in set to match.
One last thing, there is a remote chance that the sector shaft is twisted, could have been in an accident or had an excessive curb slam in the past. It does happen, I have changed boxes on larger cars with much larger sectors than what is on early Mustangs