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Steering Column Position/Steering Resistance

money pit

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I loosen my steering column at the firewall and under the dash, when I removed my dash. After I reinstalled the dash, I noticed that my steering has some resistance when I turn the steering wheel, with the front wheels off the ground. I also noticed my horn goes off when I make a left or right turn. Is there a certain position the column bolts to the firewall so the steering shaft aligns with the steering box correctly? I noticed the mounting holes are pretty large. I have a Borgeson power steering unit. Sorry for the poor quality photos. I wasn't able to show all the location of all the mounting bolts in one photo. Thanks

steering firewall.jpg


steering firewall 1.jpg


steering firewall 2.jpg
 
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I loosen my steering column at the firewall and under the dash, when I removed my dash. After I reinstalled the dash, I noticed that my steering has some resistance when I turn the steering wheel, with the front wheels off the ground. I also noticed my horn goes off when I make a left or right turn. Is there a certain position the column bolts to the firewall so the steering shaft aligns with the steering box correctly? I noticed the mounting holes are pretty large. I have a Borgeson power steering unit. Sorry for the poor quality photos. I wasn't able to show all the location of all the mounting bolts in one photo. Thanks

View attachment 152783

View attachment 152784

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I noticed you stated the horn would go off when turning the wheel in either direction. Did you change the steering wheel or remove it to make more clearance when puling your dash? I would check the connection from the crush can to the horn switch under your horn button. The wire may be rubbing and grounding out which would trigger the horn to go off while turning your steering wheel.
 
From what I see. It looks like the mounting flange moved up. I would move it back by lifting on the and tighten down. Or pull the flange back down and tighten down. There is a plastic retainer in the engine bay end. That allows the shaft to go of center.
I put a bearing in the end to hold it center.View attachment 152788SER205-16, ER205-16, ER-16 1" Bore Insert Bearing with Snap Ring 1"x52mm | eBay
I looked in the engine bay and noticed that the steering shaft is not centered and rubbing on the piece around it (not sure what that part is called). This is probably causing the steering wheel to have resistance. Where did you get the bearing? I looked and I didn't see the plastic piece you mentioned. I was thinking the column needs to be rebuilt. I watch the Cuda Cody's videos. It doesn't look too difficult. Thanks

steering shaft not center.jpg
 
I noticed you stated the horn would go off when turning the wheel in either direction. Did you change the steering wheel or remove it to make more clearance when puling your dash? I would check the connection from the crush can to the horn switch under your horn button. The wire may be rubbing and grounding out which would trigger the horn to go off while turning your steering wheel.
I didn't remove the steering wheel. I removed the mount below the dash and loosened the base plate. I'm going to center the steering shaft and check the wiring for the horn. Thanks.
 
I noticed you stated the horn would go off when turning the wheel in either direction. Did you change the steering wheel or remove it to make more clearance when puling your dash? I would check the connection from the crush can to the horn switch under your horn button. The wire may be rubbing and grounding out which would trigger the horn to go off while turning your steering wheel.
I found out why my horn was going off. The insulation coating under the horn contact ring had worn off. I was wondering what the greenish material was in my steering column was.

horn ring.jpg
 
With the three bolts that hold the steering column plate to the firewall slightly loose so you can wiggle everything around, you can center the steering shaft inside the tube. I used to use cut down popsicle sticks in three places to hold the shaft centered into the tube, and then tightened the three mounting plate screws.
 
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