I swapped in a manual rack and i dont know how to center the steering wheel or the rack to the center postion. Can someone please help me

 

Yeah id like to know too since I am doing the same thing as soon as the rack comes in the mail, was it a major pita?

 

well i went from a power rack and the only pain is getting that out, but since i dont need it anymore i just ripped it out. So for the most part its quite easy, but i just cant figure out how to center the damn thing.

 

bump

 

Well, let me try this.
1. Center steering wheel
2. Rotate pinion (input) shaft, say, clockwise as far as it will go.
3. Mark (paint,tape etc.) on shaft and bearing area (a fixed point).
4. Rotate pinion shaft CCW as far as it will go, and count the number of turns.
5. Divide number of turns by two, and rotate CW to that exact position.
6. Match to the nearest spline on steering U-joint.
I'd paint the pinion and U-joint spline at the correct point so you can fiddle around to get the two to join.
Final steering wheel position will be fixed when you get your wheel allignment, but it should be close enough using your eyeballs to adjust the tie-rod ends for a short trip.
Dave

 

Nicely said by vroomvroom ...

it's a little tricky to fine-tune the alignment of the steering wheel by yourself ...

you have to center the wheel in the cabin, prevent it from turning, and then adjust the tie rod ends until the toe w/r to the centerline is up to specs on both sides ... Tools needed are usually just some tape measure and strings and patience ... There are a few writeups on the web, some more clever than others.

Or you could just bring it to the alignment shop and they'll take care of it since they have all the right equipment.

Hugues -

 

Thats a lot of **** to do im thinking i might just get it to the alignment shop and have them do it. But ill get it as close as i can to centered.
Thanks for the info.