I had the front end aligned on my 89 firebird v6 and the guy told me the steering shaft was worn out and loose and needed to be replaced so I got one out of the junk yard and put it in myself but now my steering wheel is positioned vertical sideways while driving straight. It drives fine like that but I would like to fix the steering wheel so its positioned horizontally like its supposed to be.

 

You didn't need to buy anything. Just pull the steering wheel off, line up right & put it back on.

The steering wheel rarely, but sometimes, needs lined back up after the alignment is done.

 

I had people tell me that but dont the steering wheel bolt on a certain way? I'll go rent a puller from autozone and try it. Thanks

 

I doubt the car is properly alligned.

The toe was set without the steering links centered. (Idler Arm and Pitman Arm)

It will drive fine in a strait line, but the ackerman will be out of whack.

Try this...

Drive the car in a strait line and park it. This is to make sure the front tire are pointing strait ahead.

Mark the top of the cocked steering wheel with tape at 12 o'clock and count the turns lock to the right. put wheel back to center with tape as a benchmark and turn left to lock.

My bet is they are not the same.

 

He lined it up right but I asked him to check everything because it was steering funny. I had to fight the wheel to keep it straight I thought maybe it was a tie rod but he said everything was fine he tightened up the box but he noticed the steering shaft from the wheel to the box was loose and worn out and told me that might be the problem to replace it so I got one out of the junkyard from a 91 v6 firebird and it fixed the problem it steers fine a straight now. I took it over there and he said I could try pulling the wheel off and align it straight but if I couldn't do it that way he needs to realign it again. So I'll try pullin the steering wheel off and if that don't work I'll have to get it realigned.

 

Once you pull the covers off the front of the steering wheel. Look for hash marks between threaded end of the column shaft and the steering wheel. These should line up. If you haven't pulled the steering wheel off they most likely will. And if they don't then correct it. Otherwise the turn signal cancel will be incorrect.

Can also check that when the steering wheel is square and set in the normal position for straight ahead. The flat on the steering box input shaft will be parallel to the ground.

Then all that needs to be done is tha the alignment guy needs to adjust the tie rods. This is how the steering wheel is centered.

RBob.