I installed my new rebuilt stock steering shaft aligning the bolt at the upper end and the flat on the steering box end. It seems to be off a little. Going down the road the car tracks straight ahead, but the steering wheel is at 5:00.

My question is it possible I have the shaft installed 1 spline off? I don’t see how the upper part can be off due to the bolt hole alignment and the lower part by the rag joint I believe had a flat spot for alignment too. Is it possible that it is clocked incorrectly and still be able to tighten the bolts on each end?

 

Yes you could be off a little. Try to get the car as straight as possible and then disconnect and rotate the shaft until someone tells you the wheel is straight. I've done this numerous times for various reasons that may require me to remove the shaft for access.

 

Which end of the shaft would I rotate? Is there one end of the shaft that has to go together only one way? I am thinking the connection at the steering wheel has to spline up correct or otherwise you could get the bolt inserted.

 

I disconnect it at the steering box and then just rotate it (with the steering wheel lock off).