Steering adjustment

[pontiacgp]

Bonne...you got me looking up f body boxes and there seems to be something different with 68 and 69 boxes but I don't have time to keep searching...it's friday and we have the awards banquet tonite..

but to get back to this thread since the steering wheel is off 90 degrees then as I and you have suggested take the pitman arm off and rotate it a quarter turn and put it back on.....

 

[Bonnewagon]

I got my box from an old timer at a swap meet who said he worked at a dealership in the 60's. He said when guys came in to upgrade to power steering they would throw all the manual boxes on a pile in back of the shop. He said it should bolt right up, so again, I can't figure what the problem is.

 

[pontiacgp]

bonne do you think it could have been a box from a rear steer set up? ...

 

[Bonnewagon]

The 68' was, since the steering linkage is behind the axles. 70' and later Firebird linkage was ahead of the axles. So I just removed and rotated the Pitman arm 180 degrees. That doesn't explain why the steering wheel is 90 degrees off. I'm telling you Pontiacgp, there's something stareing us in the face here but I'll be damned if I can figure it out. After fishing season ends I'm tearing into my messy garage and I will find my manual box. I can compare it with a power box and figure this out once and for all. EDIT- I just was on ALLDATA and guess what? The exploded view of a 93' S-10 Blazer steering linkage seems like it is a rear steer. If so, would you even be able to turn the box enough to rotate the pitman 180 degrees? You would need to do as I did and R/R. But he said he left the pitman arm on.

 

[pontiacgp]

I don't know if there is any difference with a rear steer box but I agree that this issue aligning the steering wheel seems more complicated to find the solution than it should be...

 

[bowtie81]

If i adjust the wheel with the tie rod adjusters would'nt that limit the amount of turning i have to one side? i'm thinkng it would be easier to adjust it at the column.

 

[pontiacgp]

have you tried removing the pitman arm and rotating it?...

 

[bowtie81]

I tried to loosen it off but that thing is tighter than a nun's( c u next tuesday). if the wheels are straight i have equal turns from one side to the next.

 

[pontiacgp]

you need to get a pitman arm puller...alot of part stores have a tool rental program so try that option to rent to the tool

 

[bowtie81]

well i went out to the garage today, pulled the steering wheel off. drilled a new hole for the spring, to make the horn work put the wheel back on, it's straight and i have equal turns from side to side.