Installing a custom lower steering shaft?

[RnrdTheFox]

I'm ready to put my nice looking WH's steering shaft on and I"m wondering about how to make sure that once everything is done, the steering wheel is centered when the tires are straight.

The lower u-joint is keyed for the set screw on the PS so it's fixed.

The upper is a DD u-joint, so I will have to grind down the second side on my column shaft (79 bronco tilt shaft).

I can come back later and center everything and then re-set the steering wheel, right? After market steering wheels aren't keyed, just splines right?

 

[Broncobowsher]

Start with centering the steering box. Work from there back to the steering wheel and center it the best you can. There are splines but not indexed. You should be able to get it withen about 10° that way. Final tuning is done by adjusting the draglink, if it is adjustable.

 

[bronko69er]

Right, Right and Right.
I set mine up as close to center as I could, but you're lucky to get it right untill you drive it. You'll pobably have to re-adjust the steering wheel after you drive and get a feel for where the approximate center is.

 

[RnrdTheFox]

So I can use the existing flat spot on the column shaft, cut the second and then pull the steering wheel and re-align and do final tweaks after it's driving, right?

Sorry, I just want to cut it right the first time

 

[bronko69er]

Yes you can install the steering wheel at and clocking you wish, its, just a splined shaft like an axle, no key slots of anything.

 

[RnrdTheFox]

Cool. Thanks. I just put it in.