1984 Pontiac Trans AM. Stock Steering wheel. Recently acquired and the steering wheel is off center. Previous owner had the column rebuilt by a chevy dealership and apparently they put the steering wheel back a bit off from center. I am sure this is an easy process, but never have done before so any advice anyone can give would appreciate. I know I need a steering wheel puller which I will get but any gotchas I need to be aware of? Also someone said if I just got the car aligned it would fix it too but the car tracks straight and front tires show no uneven wear so I don't think thats correct.....thanks

 

It's been a while since I've had one apart , but I thought I recall that the wheel is "keyed" to the shaft , and only goes on one way (as in , you can't move it a notch or two either way) . I may be wrong , but if I'm not then yes having it aligned , and mentioning the off center steering wheel to the alignment shop , will be the only way to get it straight .

 

If you look closely there's usually a tell tale punch mark at 12-o-clock on the steering shaft, and a matching nick in the steering wheel hub. But it really shouldn't matter, the steering wheel has to be VERY close to go on, even without matching the splines because the lock plate is keyed to only go on the steering shaft one way, it can't go on wrong. The cancel cam has to go through the lockplate, so it's locked to a very narrow window of positions, and finally the steering wheel has to line up with the cancel cam. In other words, you can't correct a crooked steering wheel by removing it and turning it a notch, it typically won't go on unless it's lined up right.

Now the steering linkage can get horked ten ways from Sunday just by driving like an idiot. I'd pop the cap off the steering wheel, if the cancel cam is poking thru and hooked up to the horn button, put the cap back on and take the car to an alignment shop. Tell them the steering wheel is off when driving straight down the road and you want it centered.

 

OK Thank you for all the replies. From the replies, it does look like alignment is the answer. I looked after taking the horn button on and you are correct. Does not appear it can be put on wrong. Thanks for the replies....