steering wheel centering

[mdelapp]

I am trying to center the steering wheel on a 1947 commander starlight coupe. It is about 90 degrees off. the car alignment is fine. The sterring column at the steering wheel has notches so that it can be rotated to center. i just can figure how to pull the wheel off in order to re-position it.

[N8N]

before you do pull the wheel to center it, check and make sure your steering wheel is centered on the box. either jack up the front of the car and spin the wheel lock to lock and make sure that it spins the same no. of turns lock to lock. Alternately pull the horn button and look for a match mark on the column and wheel. If the steering wheel is in the right place relative to the box you should leave it there and adjust the tie rods to get the steering wheel straight while driving straight down the road. Not only do you not want to compromise your turning radius in one direction, the box has a "high spot" at the straight ahead position and if you don't have the high spot corresponding to straight ahead, the car will tend to wander a little at high speed and have some play in the steering wheel.

nate

[Gunslinger]

Are you sure the steering wheel itself isn't installed properly on the column? When an alignment is done the steering wheel is supposed to be locked down in the centered position before the adjustments are done under the front end. Unless you know for sure your steering wheel has been removed and improperly repositioned, the problem should be resolved by having an alignment done with the steering wheel locked down.