Just finished installing a AP1 rack in my AP2 (previous rack was bent), and though I tried my best to get things to line up, I realized after putting it all together that the steering rack is not centered. As in, when driving straight, the steering wheel is at about 11 degrees. From the steering wheel at 12 o'clock, it can make just over 1.5 rotations when turning to the left, but closer to 1.25 rotations before hitting lock when turning to the right. I'm guessing the steering rack spline is off by a notch from the true center on the steering column.

The car still needs to get an alignment, but before I take it to the shop I'm thinking I'll have to center the steering rack. I see two options at the moment:

1. In the engine bay, loosen the two bolts on the universal joint between the steering rack and column, and try to slide it up the column shaft, and then center the steering wheel before sliding the UJ back on and re-tightening.

2. In the cabin, remove the steering wheel and put it back on one spline to the right.

It seems to me like that just adjusting the steering wheel is the simpler option because I'm not sure how easy it will be to slide the steering shaft coupler out of the way, but if anyways has any insight I'd greatly appreciate it.




​​​​​​​

 

Do not remove the steering wheel.

Do the thread counts on each tie rod show the same amount of thread?

 

I would use (and have used) option 1.

BE CAREFUL not to whip the wheel around by mistake. Your clockspring can break.

The uneven turns lock to lock show that the box itself is off-centered. Get it set so that the steering wheel gives an even amounts of turns from center to each side's lock.

Measure full lock to lock first.
Divide by 2.
Shoot for that.

Example (your numbers may vary):
If you go from lock to lock, you measure 5 turns total.
Now check that the wheel returns to center in 2.5 turns from either side.
If not...adjust accordingly.

Don't over torque that steering yoke, BTW. You don't want those bolts to break when you're making some type of maneuver.

 

I think they do but I'll go count and double check that. I might be wrong, but I was under the impression that adjusting the tie rods would not alter the full lock-to-lock of the steering wheel, just the tilt of the wheels relative to the steering rack.

Thanks for the tip, I think I'll try this soon and hopefully just need to shift the wheel over by one tooth. Hopefully won't take too long.