Steering Wheel Alignment [Lost centering on steering box 1956 Austin Healey, BN2]

[Martinld123]

Hello, while replacing oil seal on my 1956 Healey BN2 steering box it looks like the steering wheel might have inadvertently been turned. So is there a way to recenter the steering box? I guess if off center the turning radius would be less one way and more the other? Thanks Marty

 

[kodpkd]

Did you pull out the main steering rod from the box? You could remove the rod and make it correct,, remove the steering wheel, or install adjustable tie rods.

 

[mezy]

turn steering fully one way, measure to a fixed point,
turn steering fully the other way and measure to the same fixed point
deduct one measurement from the other devide by two, then add that to the first measurement.
that will give you centre position from the fixed point, then remove and refit steering wheel

 

[Martinld123]

Did you pull out the main steering rod from the box? You could remove the rod and make it correct,, remove the steering wheel, or install adjustable tie rods.

No, I did not remove steering rod from the box. When I pulled the the arm off of the steering box it looks like the Steering wheel might have been turned so I thought it would be good idea to check centering. Thanks

 

[Martinld123]

turn steering fully one way, measure to a fixed point,
turn steering fully the other way and measure to the same fixed point
deduct one measurement from the other devide by two, then add that to the first measurement.
that will give you centre position from the fixed point, then remove and refit steering wheel

I did not remove steering wheel just pulled steering arm off of steering box so I could add new seal on top of existing seal that leaked. The leak has stopped so I want to reassemble now but first check box centering. Thanks

 

[Legal Bill]

Doesn’t the arm only fit back on one way?

 

[John Turney]

Doesn’t the arm only fit back on one way?

Actually, the splines are such that it can fit four ways, but three are obviously wrong.

 

[Legal Bill]

Actually, the splines are such that it can fit four ways, but three are obviously wrong.

So assuming it was installed in the correct position, moving the steering wheel should make no difference.

 

[kodpkd]

true

 

[Martinld123]

Doesn’t the arm only fit back on one way?

Thanks, I wish that were the case but as you can see from photo there are no arm set locations with equal spaced splines all around. So I did mark the arm location on case and arm but I want to check steering wheel center before I it back together. Any ideas? Thanks

 

[kodpkd]

It's hard to see, but there are two sections that have a double wide spline on the shaft.

 

[red57]

Martinld123, Here are pictures of the splines on the shaft and arm.

First is a pitman shaft (twisted in an accident so not useable) that clearly shows one of the 4 double splines.

Second is the pitman arm that shows the 4 double spline locations that only allow it to go on in 4 different locations. So you are either correct or off 90* or 180*

 

[Legal Bill]

Yeah, honestly, you can’t really put it on wrong unless you are trying. Clean off the splines and find the doubles.

 

[Martinld123]

Yeah, honestly, you can’t really put it on wrong unless you are trying. Clean off the splines and find the doubles.

Thanks, I will. When I get my older clothes on I will clean. Looks very clear now.

 

[Martinld123]

Martinld123, Here are pictures of the splines on the shaft and arm.

First is a pitman shaft (twisted in an accident so not useable) that clearly shows one of the 4 double splines.
View attachment 85108

Second is the pitman arm that shows the 4 double spline locations that only allow it to go on in 4 different locations. So you are either correct or off 90* or 180*View attachment 85110

Thanks for photos but after cleaning and inspection I found all splines are all equal. My car is a BN 2 but steering box could be a BN1. Fortunately I had both parts case and arm marked but steering wheel location is what I was not sure of. Looks good so far but my fuel pump just went out so cannot test. Will Post fuel pump question tonight to decide where to buy. It is electronic. Thanks