Steering: proper way to align pitman arm on steering gear

[Steelerfan]

In rebuilding the power steering on my '64 Avanti, I put it all together and didn't have much steering turn to the left. I'm thinking I did not have the steering gear in proper alignment when I reattached the pitman arm to the gear. The shop manual references some alignment marks but I can't see any. I have pulled it all apart again and counted the turns of steering wheel when the pitman arm is off and am now certain the steering gear is in the proper place. My question is what position should the pitman arm be in when I remount it to the centered steering gear? Should it drop straight down for instance? Or, where can I find the alignment lines? I have searched the forum for previous threads but found none that dressed this specific alignment question.
I appreciate the help.

Steelerfan

[Studebaker1962]

When installed the marks can be very hard to see if you, like me, are working on the ground with jack stands. Not much room to get a good visual. Wire brush it a little. A trick I use is my digital camera in lieu of my middle age eyes. Mine has a "close-up" mode. I set it to the highest pixel count and then use flash on or off to get the best images. Plug the card into the computer, zoom in and viola......The alignment marks. Also use a fine dot of nail polish on the marks once you find them. Nail polish also works well to highlight the timing marks.

[warrlaw1]

I had the very same problem after the first install of my rebuilt steering box. Couldn't turn right, but turned left all day long. I took the arm off, centered the drag link, centered the steering wheel and steering box (lock to lock) and re-assembled. I can go both ways, now.

[jackb]

line up the 2 inner tie rod ends on the bellcrank so that they are both directly straight and even from/to oil pan center. Turn the steering wheel all the way to one side. Now turn the wheel to the opposite direction and to the end. Count the number of turns (~ 4-5 turns complete). Return exactly 1/2 the turns to the now middle. Don't disrupt the tie rods and probably have someone keep the steering wheel centered (notice I didn't say "straight" - it may not be). Now rotate the pitman arm to fit the reach rod and then look and adjust the steering wheel to steering post. Both the steering wheel and the top of the post have aligning marks that now should be aligned. You may need a front end alignment after your adjustments......

[Steelerfan]

Thanks for the replies gents! I'll let you know how it works.

Steelerfan

[CaffeineRacer]

Thanks for this thread. I have a similar problem and I think when the steering was worked on a while ago it wasn't centered properly and off center steering is hard in one direction, but easy in the other (it also pulls to that direction if I let go of the steering wheel).

@steerlerfan, if you could would you mind snapping some pictures of the process? Thanks.