Hi is anyone aware of a guide on how re centre the steering column and rack.
The steering UJ was very rusty so I did not bother to mark its position when I removed the subframe, so what's the best way to get everything re aligned correctly when I refit the subframe.

I understand that if not done correctly you can break the cable reel in the column


Thanks

 

Any one ?

 

I have never done it, so try at your own risk.

If I was presented with your situation, I'd GENTLY turn the wheel till I felt the resistance of the tension of the wire. Then I'd start turning the opposite way. You can rattle off 2.4 turns quickly and then slow down. and wait until 6 turns or you get to the stop the other end. If you get to 6 turns, go back 3 and leave it there. If you get to the end, divide total turns by two and find the middle.

Again, I have never done this but that is what I would do.

 

If your steering wheel hasn't been turned more than half a turn then you should know where to place the steering wheel so that it's centred as normal for the clock spring. You can then mark the input shaft on the steering rack and turn the rack via the input shaft in both directions, count how far it turns in total from full one way to the other and work out where the centre of its travel is. Actually if you have the front of the car off the ground (which you'll have to do to ba able to go from lock to lock) you can grab hold of a front wheel and use that to turn the steering rack.

To be honest as long as you know your steering wheel is still straight ahead and hasn't been turned one full turn and the wheels on the car are facing straight ahead just put the joint back on and drive up the road to see if the steering wheel's straight or not. You might need to adjust the joint by a spline or two afterwards. As long as you're not miles out with your lining up you won't do any damage.

 

Thanks guy's
I put the wheels straight ahead before I disconnected the UJ so hopefully the rack will still be centred. The problem I had was the steering lock does not lock the steering wheel in the centre and I cannot remember which way I turned the steering wheel before the steering lock engaged.
So I guess at worst its 1/2 to 3/4 a turn out. So long as I can turn it and feel the stop without breaking the cable then like Nexus said hopefully I can just turn it from lock to lock and count the turns.

 

More than 360 degs out you will have problem with the reel,under that no problems
The indicators cancel function would be annoying though is not centered