steering wheel alignment

[Charger72SE]

I rebuild the steering coupler that connect the steering column to the power steering pump.  I thought I had it all aligned but the center steering wheel spoke doesn't point stright down when steering the car straight.

as I recall, the steering wheel aligns with a specific spline on the shaft.

so to straighten the steering wheel, do I need to take the coupler off the power steering shaft again?  or can it be aligned at the steering wheel?

thanks much!

[BrianShaughnessy]

All the master splines go at 12 o clock (straight up) with the front wheels straight when putting steering back together.

There's a master spline in the power steering box (it's not a pump - that's the pump on the front of the engine).  And  another on the steering column shaft.

With a aftermarket wheel like a Grant,  their 4313 adapter has a "TOP" marking that goes at 12 o clock in place of the stock adapter with the master spline.   

In the case of the coupler,  the correct position is so that you pound the roll pin straight down on the engine side. 

[plumbeeper]

If you're wheel is 180 degrees off, then it would most likely be the coupler. If it's just off a little, you need to have the car re-aligned. One of the tie-rods may be adjusted longer than the other one and could still drive straight down the road, just the steering wheel will be a little off alignment.

Dave

[Charger72SE]

thanks for the reply!

the wheel is off a bit - the center spoke points down at 7 o'clock instead of 6 o'clock.  I noticed that when the wheels are straight, the pin in the steering coupler is not straight down.  So I must have put the steering coupler on wrong, not aligning the splines - and hopefully not wrecking the spines!

The alignment was fine before I rebuilt the coupler, so I don't think the alignment got out of whack during the rebuild unless I'm missing something.

I was going to take the steering column/coupler off the power steering box and align the splines & reinstall it.  does this make sense?