I removed the steering linkage to do a steering box bench adjustment. Unfortunately for me, the steering wheel was not locked and it moved by a few turns from the wheels straight up position. I realized the mistake when it was too late to do anything about it. How do I figure out how many turns the steering wheel can turn when disconnected from the rest of the steering components (steering box) and what is the best way to determine the mid way point (turnswise)? I tried to turn the wheel to the left or the right until I got some resistance (from the wires inside the column I guess) but the funny thing is that if I turn let's say left (from what I think is the center position) 6 times , when I go back right 3 turns I start hearing a sound that sounds like wires are stretching (very little resistance though). Technically I still have 3 more turns to what I think is the center. I don't want to do something stupid and rip up all the wires inside by turning too much. Any ideas how to find the center position? Do I have to remove the steering wheel (please say no, please say no)? This is for a '91 RS with a tilt column. Thanks.

If you can go 6 turns one direction and 3 turns the other, split the difference

Also bear in mind the box depending on quick ratio or not will have 3.25-3.75 turns lock to lock, so having the column perfectly centered isnt super critical

Put the box back and attach to center link. Center the tires AS IF THE CAR WERE DRIVING STRAIT. Center the steering wheel and attach to the box. It will only go on one way. This is the best that you can do.

As for the wires and resistence, there are no wires that should be turning in your steering column. Dont worry about it.

Pocket, I didn't turn the wheel 9 turns, I turned it counter clockwise 6 times followed by 3 turns clockwise.
Like this:
-I am at what I think is the center point
-6 turns counter clockwise
-stop
-3 turns clockwise
-stop

Anyway, from what SDIF says, it sounds like I don't need to worry about ripping up any wires. All I need to do is to line up the wheels and the steering wheel and that's it.

The service manual mentions a coil wire though so I guess I have to read up on that to see if it is a problem or not. It might be contained only to top side of the steering wheel.

Thanks

D.

If there is an air bag then there are wires that rotate with the steering wheel. The SIR coil has wires that go from the steering wheel into the column and on to the DERM.

I know that '92s have an air bag, not sure if the '91s do. If it does, then there are wires.

What I do whenever disconnecting the column under the hood is to tie a rope from the bottom of the steering wheel to the brake pedal. This has reminded me several times already to not rotate the column while under the hood.

Not sure how to go about re-centering the SIR coil wires.

RBob.

Airbags were standard in all 3rd gens from 90-92

He has wires

As long as you can get free turning atleast 2 turns each direction, I wouldnt worry about it

Yeah, I figured if I can turn it 6 times in one direction it should be OK.

I checked the service manual thsi morning and there are 2 connectors, one for the horn and one for the air bag coil. They have a procedure to re center the coil which involves removing the air bag module and the wheel. Worst case scenario I'll do that but I sort of agree with Pocket, if I can do 2 turns in each direction I should be OK.

The horn is on a contact strip which doesnt care what orientation the wheel is at, only the airbag which has a direction from the coil

So does this mean I have to recenter or as per your previous post I should be OK if I can turn it at least twice?

The service manual is not very good at explaining why the air bag coil has to be centered. If it's not centered, does taht mean it can deploy in my face anytime?

Recenter it so you have atleast 2 turns each way

I'll do that.

Thanks for your help.