1957 Steering Wheel suddenly not centered | Ford Thunderbird club group 1955-2005 T-Bird models

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1957 Steering Wheel suddenly not centered

TbirdFan76

TbirdFan76

Bronze Member
Reaction score
17
Thunderbird Year
1957
Yesterday I fixed the horn on my Tbird. After the fix I turned the wheel all the way left and then right to test that the horn didn't randomly blow when turning the wheel. After that I went for a drive and discovered the steering wheel top is now 90° left when the car is moving straight. It doesn't pull left or right.

The only thing I can add is that there was cardboard under the left tire when I turned the wheel left and right and the cardboard moved along with the tire. I felt like the steering wheel turned more than usual to the left.

Any ideas what would cause the steering wheel position to change?

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TBFan, I think something was not correct before you made your repair. I would first be sure the car is on level ground, and the tires are pointed forward. From there check the steering wheel position. The spokes of the steering wheel should form a "Y" and the smooth part of the steering wheel should be at the top. If that is off, you will need to adjust the tie rod ends to correct the issue. See the shop manual for details.
I hope I didn't insult your intelligence; you may have done this already. This is also for someone who might be a new owner and experiences this problem.
Lew Bachman
1957 Colonial White
 
Hi Lew, I agree the horn fix should not cause this. But I do think something went out of adjustment while turning the wheels back fast left and right when I tested after fixing the horn.

When standing still the wheel looks like the attached photos but when driving the top of the steering wheel is at nine o'clock. I do have the shop manual so it says to loosen 2 bolts on spindle connecting rods (on both sides) and turn a sleeve up or down to adjust the steering wheel position. Have you done this before? How much effort might it take if it hasn't been adjusted for a while?
 

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What was required to repair the horn? Any work around the steering column? It surely sounds like there has been a shifting in the steering linkage. I would highly recommend not attempting to adjust the tie rod ends at home except for gross alignment changes. Much better to take it to a shop that knows how to align the frontends of our old birds. Irregular tire wear and compromised steering can result from bad adjustments. And the shop will know how to re-center the steering wheel. Just my two cents. Take it for what it is worth.

Let us know how you solve this problem.
 
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