New steering column. HOW TO ALIGN PROPERLY???

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FunkyKev - 04 Oct 2006 07:21 GMT

Ok, I caved in after 3 mos and bought a used column for my 88 Buick out
of
an Olds. Now...how do I get the new column synched up with the
position of the steering/rack in the car as it sits there waiting? I
haven't even looked at in a couple months...
Thanks.

Kevin

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uccoskun@gmail.com - 05 Oct 2006 01:32 GMT

donot worry about it. put the coloum in. rotate the tire to be straight
position, keep the streering wheel straight and put them togetter. if
you worry about the straightness of the streering wheel, you can remove
the steering wheel and correct the shift.

PS: if you have airbag, you need to be carefull about the clockspring.
it is nothign but a couple of wires wound around the coluum but you
donto wantto break them by overrotating the steering wheel.

good luck

> Ok, I caved in after 3 mos and bought a used column for my 88 Buick out
> of
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Kevin

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FunkyKev - 11 Oct 2006 10:29 GMT

1) How to straighten the wheels without a column engaged?

2) How to generally center the new column before installation?

Or maybe I'll just stick my head back down there and figure it out :-)

THX.
Kevin

> donot worry about it. put the coloum in. rotate the tire to be straight
> position, keep the streering wheel straight and put them togetter. if
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> >
> > Kevin

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James Goforth - 12 Oct 2006 07:10 GMT

Shouldn't there be only one way the column end fits into the yoke at
the firewall?
If the wheels look reasonably straight (and I don't see any reason why
they wouldn't be) you should be able to just insert the bottom of the
column with the steering wheel in the right-side-up position and then
tentatively hang the column into place using the bolts installed
loosely, and then turn the wheel both ways to make sure it's right.

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FunkyKev - 13 Oct 2006 10:52 GMT

Aye. There's the rub. (Shakespeare anyone?) The wheel is...er...was
cut hard to the left as the car sits right now disassembled. This
unique parking method keeps the PS fluid from leaking out :-) $400
wonder car! Now what?

And as for the coulumn/yoke having only one mateable alignment...I
don't remember. Still ramping up to the final install. Though the
hard part is done...plunking down a hundy to buy a used column!

Kevin

> Shouldn't there be only one way the column end fits into the yoke at
> the firewall?
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> tentatively hang the column into place using the bolts installed
> loosely, and then turn the wheel both ways to make sure it's right.

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Mike Marlow - 13 Oct 2006 12:34 GMT

> Aye. There's the rub. (Shakespeare anyone?) The wheel is...er...was
> cut hard to the left as the car sits right now disassembled. This
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Kevin

Methinks me smell analysis paralysis. I'd say it's time to do what you
suggested earlier yourself, and just go get underneath that car. Touch,
feel, turn, yank, push, reefe, and if necessary - heat with a torch until
proper consistency. You can spend - no... you are spending too long
asking too many questions. Get underneath that car and figure it out.
You'll do it. Ya just gotta try.

Signature

-Mike-
mmarlowREMOVE@alltel.net

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