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Steering wheel not straight after changing K-frame???
#832865
10/18/10 02:26 PM
10/18/10 02:26 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,499
Slidell, LA
Plum440
OP
pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,499
Slidell, LA
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I changed the K-frame on my '70 Challenger and now the steering wheel isn't straight. I had to remove the bolts from the steering box to swap out the frame (supported by rope and 2 X 4s) but I never touched the column. What would cause the steering wheel to be at a 90 degree turn now?  I know I need to go get everything aligned with having a new K-frame but it was perfectly straight before I did the swap. It's very strange... Thanks! Steve 
70 Challenger, 440, 4-speed, pLuM cRaZy
71 VW Super Beetle Convertible, Lemon Yellow
A couple of Jeeps…
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Re: Steering wheel not straight after changing K-frame???
[Re: burdar]
#832867
10/18/10 02:50 PM
10/18/10 02:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,826
las vegas
70AARcuda
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,826
las vegas
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if the steering box is 5 turns lock to lock...make sure it is in the middle...there is a key way that the column slides on to...
Tony
70 AARCuda Vitamin C
71 Dart Swinger 360 10.318 @ 128.22(10-04-14 Bakersfield)
71 Demon 360 10.666 @122.41 (01-29-17 @ Las Vegas)
71 Duster 408 (10.29 @ 127.86 3/16/19 Las Vegas)
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Re: Steering wheel not straight after changing K-frame???
[Re: burdar]
#832868
10/18/10 04:22 PM
10/18/10 04:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,071
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR
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Quote:
The box is in a slightly different location than it was with the old k member in place. Moving the box will change the alignment. Change the alignment and the wheel moves off center.
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Re: Steering wheel not straight after changing K-frame???
[Re: Plum440]
#832869
10/18/10 05:14 PM
10/18/10 05:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,836
Detroit boy in Saugerties, NY
BrianShaughnessy
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
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Detroit boy in Saugerties, NY
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The dead spline on the steering box, the coupler and the steering shaft all go straight up 12 o clock.
Center the box at 2.5 turns and check where the dead spline is. If it's off a half turn, pull the coupler out and get them all lined up.
Black Betty: '69 Charger RT: 440 6 pack, TKO600 5 speed, 3.73 Dana.
Sinnamon: '69 Charger RT: 440, 727, 4.30 8.75. High School Sweetheart.
El Grande: '98 Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited.
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Re: Steering wheel not straight after changing K-frame???
[Re: Plum440]
#832870
10/19/10 12:39 AM
10/19/10 12:39 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
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U.S.S.A.
JohnRR
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Quote:
I changed the K-frame on my '70 Challenger and now the steering wheel isn't straight. I had to remove the bolts from the steering box to swap out the frame (supported by rope and 2 X 4s) but I never touched the column.
What would cause the steering wheel to be at a 90 degree turn now?
I know I need to go get everything aligned with having a new K-frame but it was perfectly straight before I did the swap. It's very strange...
Thanks!
Steve
Sounds like he never disconnected the steering column from the steering box to me .
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Re: Steering wheel not straight after changing K-frame???
[Re: Kern Dog]
#832872
10/19/10 02:17 PM
10/19/10 02:17 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,499
Slidell, LA
Plum440
OP
pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,499
Slidell, LA
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The K-frame I have actually came from a B-Body. I'll just wait until everything is done and have it adjusted when aligned. Thanks!
70 Challenger, 440, 4-speed, pLuM cRaZy
71 VW Super Beetle Convertible, Lemon Yellow
A couple of Jeeps…
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Re: Steering wheel not straight after changing K-frame???
[Re: Plum440]
#832873
10/19/10 03:38 PM
10/19/10 03:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
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JohnRR
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Quote:
The K-frame I have actually came from a B-Body. I'll just wait until everything is done and have it adjusted when aligned.
Thanks!
What year B body , 70 down has a different steering box mounting angle than 71-72.
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Re: Steering wheel not straight after changing K-frame???
[Re: JohnRR]
#832874
10/19/10 06:16 PM
10/19/10 06:16 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,499
Slidell, LA
Plum440
OP
pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,499
Slidell, LA
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Haven't a clue. The guy I bought it from thinks it's a '68 or '69. No numbers on it to check.
70 Challenger, 440, 4-speed, pLuM cRaZy
71 VW Super Beetle Convertible, Lemon Yellow
A couple of Jeeps…
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Re: Steering wheel not straight after changing K-frame???
[Re: Plum440]
#832876
10/20/10 08:26 AM
10/20/10 08:26 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,071
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR
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I Win
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Quote:
Haven't a clue. The guy I bought it from thinks it's a '68 or '69. No numbers on it to check.
If that is the case then it's no wonder your steering wheel is off since that K frame is not the same as the one you needed for your car, you need to have it aligned again. Have you tried mounting your swaybar yet ?
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Re: Steering wheel not straight after changing K-frame???
[Re: ahy]
#832877
10/20/10 08:28 AM
10/20/10 08:28 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
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JohnRR
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Quote:
It may be as simple as adjusting the tie rod sleeves to re-align with the slightly different box location.
That's a given anytime you do something MAJOR to the front suspension, the OP obviously thought he could put the WRONG K frame in the car and be good to go ...
OP are you related to member polkat ??? ... kidding ... 
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Re: Steering wheel not straight after changing K-frame???
[Re: roadrunninMark]
#832879
10/22/10 05:05 PM
10/22/10 05:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,982
Ansonia, CT
CJK440
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,982
Ansonia, CT
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What K was in the car. Could a /6 k have a different box mounting position than a V8 one?
2017 Contusion Blue Challenger T/A 392 M6 "BLKNBLU"
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Re: Steering wheel not straight after changing K-frame???
[Re: roadrunninMark]
#832881
10/22/10 06:13 PM
10/22/10 06:13 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
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JohnRR
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Quote:
mine is the original k, i can center it with a few turns of the tie rod sleeves, just thought it would be nice to have it centered the way it should be right from the get go.
What steering box do you have , correct small sector of later large sector ?
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Re: Steering wheel not straight after changing K-frame???
[Re: roadrunninMark]
#832883
10/22/10 07:13 PM
10/22/10 07:13 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,071
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR
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I Win
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Quote:
I have the aluminum cased manual box, whichever was the factory box for a 69 B-body. What is small sector vs. large sector and how would I determine that?
Small sector is 72 down , large is 73 up , is it your original box ?
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Re: Steering wheel not straight after changing K-frame???
[Re: roadrunninMark]
#832884
10/22/10 07:22 PM
10/22/10 07:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,664
IN
ahy
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IN
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Quote:
Funny, I just came across this issue as well. I just put the new front suspension in and equaled the tie rod sleeves so everything is same one side to the other. I just put the column in and my dead spline was off as well. So in my case, besides taking the column out, I need to take off the pitman arm and let the manual box spin until the dead spline is at the 12 oclock position then the column shall line up correctly?
Usually there is a master spline on the pitman, steering coupler and steering wheel. It is not possible to adjust clocking... with one exception! If the steering pot coupler is assembled 180 degrees out of phase it will throw the clocking off so much that tie rod adjustment won't fix it. I sent a column out for rebuild; after re-install I couldn't get the wheel centered with maximum tie rod adjustment. I disassembled the pot coupler and re-assembled 180 degrees opposite and all was well. This was from a tip in a MA tech article.
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