How can I get my steering wheel straight on my truck?

It's a 1995 Silverado Z71(4x4) 1500 with a 5.7 and power steering withOUT the hydro pump assist.



Okay, when I got the truck the steering wheel was out of line by about a half a turn to the right. I figured it had been in a wreck and the air bag had been deployed so the steering wheel had been put on wrong. Well, my power steering gear box had been leaking and I just got the money so I got the rebuild kit for it and when I got it out I noticed that the housing on the steering box had been absolutely mutilated.



What I think is that whoever had the truck before I did changed the pitman arm but they did it without pulling the steering box and beat the pitman arm off with a screwdriver and a hammer. *shakes head* I was going to replace the pitman arm anyway and since I have to 'change' the steering box assembly I have no way of knowing how the pitman arm is supposed to go back on there to keep the steering wheel straight. Anyone have any experience with this?How can I get my steering wheel straight on my truck?Finnish all your lower repairs, when every thing is right and tight drive your truck perfectly straight into your work area, then pull the steering wheel from the column. One big nut holds it on, you will need a puller (there cheap) line up the splines were you want it and tighten it back up...How can I get my steering wheel straight on my truck?the Pitman arm only goes on at the most 4 ways



you adjust the tie rods to center the wheel



you can do it yourself:



on a level floor:



first center the wheel, then center the tires straight ahead



then adjust the tie rods (same on both sides) until the str. wh. is straight



tighten everything you loosened, readjust if necessary, it's hard to get it perfect the first time



good luck!How can I get my steering wheel straight on my truck?Your best bet is to have a good front end shop do an alignment and tell them what you suspect, then let them straighten it all out.How can I get my steering wheel straight on my truck?The pitman arm I changed had a keyed spline, so it would only go on one of two ways, and one was definitely wrong.