Steering Steering shaft alignment

[JimsCJ5]

Replaced the TS switch recently. When I put the steering wheel and lock plate back together I oriented the shaft with the mark at 12:00. The lock plate had the same mark and went back in the same way. With the steering wheel back on the wheel is 90 degrees off which is annoying to say the least. Before I go down to the alignment shop I wanted to make sure the orientation marks were correct.
Thanks,
Jim

 

[Manic Mechanic]

forget the marks. if the wheels are straight just pull off the steering wheel it self and align it so it is also straight
your just a few teeth off. more than likely the shaft spun when you had everything apart

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

 

[JimsCJ5]

Here is a picture of what I mean. I can't just pull the wheel off and reposition it since the hole for the horn has to align to the horn button. I might be able to pull the stop plate off again and reposition the plate but will my turn signals still cancel? Right now they don't.

 

[MattJ]

Here is a picture of what I mean. I can't just pull the wheel off and reposition it since the hole for the horn has to align to the horn button. I might be able to pull the stop plate off again and reposition the plate but will my turn signals still cancel? Right now they don't.

Will appreciate any update about the steering shaft alignment. My friend got this incoming CJ project and it needs some TLC including the steering. We'll just finish installing the headache rack and tonneau covers on the truck before we can clear the garage and take her in. TIA

 

[boney]

When I got my CJ7 the steering wheel was 180 degrees off. Despite loosening all the joints and connections and removing the steering wheel as you have, I discovered that the entire setup is indexed within a few splines at each joint- all the way to the pitman arm. I came to the conclusion that the replacement steering box that PO installed is either built wrong or for a different car.

Ultimately I purchased a Borgeson steering shaft which has set screws instead of clamps/bolts. I needed a new shaft anyway, and this allowed me to turn the steering wheel 180 degrees.

 

[JimsCJ5]

I ended up removing the stop plate (which requires the special GM tool which can be borrowed at FLAPS) and rotating the plate so the line was straight up. The plastic horn bushing can also be rotated so everything aligns. It seems to work all right that way but I have not driven it yet to see if the turn signals cancel the way they should. I think the correct way to do this is to align the marks and have the wheels aligned to straighten the steering wheel.

 

[Patrick]

The component used to align and fine tune the steering wheel is the turn buckle at the drag link. Use it!

 

[JimsCJ5]

The component used to align and fine tune the steering wheel is the turn buckle at the drag link. Use it!

That won't change the toe?

 

[Patrick]

Definitely no.

 

[Patrick]

Do not confuse the drag link with the tie rod.

 

[Patrick]

A true and complete steering alignment also includes turn signal cancellation and lock to lock symmetry. And last but not least steering limitation setpoints. This is not complicated to accomplish if you take time and understand the basics of the steering mechanism.