crooked steering column

by magic marouke Fri Nov 08, 2013 1:04 pm

does any one elses steering column look crooked ? ive moved it as much as i can to the right but its still way off to the left . doesnt appear to be any damage . kinda odd really

by Mcarlo77 Fri Nov 08, 2013 2:39 pm

That's just the way they are...a least on the Montes. I never really noticed it until I went out and looked at mine just now. So...thanks alot, buddy! LOL!

by thatfnthing Fri Nov 08, 2013 2:54 pm

That's not my experience. Mine's always been in the right spot, even back when I had a bench. And having driven a hell of a lot of rentals, off-center steering wheels has always been a pet peeve of mine.

by magic marouke Fri Nov 08, 2013 3:03 pm

I didn't notice it when I test drove the car , just a couple days later . What I wanna know is how and why it's like that . Doesn't annoy me to much but would be nice to have it straight .

by Mcarlo77 Fri Nov 08, 2013 3:51 pm

I assume we're talking about the column? As for mounting, it pretty much is what it is. But, if you're talking about the steering wheel itself, yes it can be centered.

by magic marouke Fri Nov 08, 2013 3:58 pm

I'm talking about the column it's self . There's a noticeable gap distance where the column meets the cluster panel . Also it feels strange driving with my hand on the top of the steering wheel with my hand twisted towards the left

by thatfnthing Fri Nov 08, 2013 4:28 pm

magic marouke wrote:I'm talking about the column it's self . There's a noticeable gap distance where the column meets the cluster panel .

That sounds very odd. Got a photo of that perchance?

by magic marouke Fri Nov 08, 2013 4:47 pm

thatfnthing wrote:
magic marouke wrote:I'm talking about the column it's self . There's a noticeable gap distance where the column meets the cluster panel .
That sounds very odd. Got a photo of that perchance?

ill try , will have to be looking down through the windshield

by Mcarlo77 Fri Nov 08, 2013 7:04 pm

I don't know if this shows anything, but maybe compare it to yours. Mine is untouched, factory original. When you sit behind the wheel, the column is definitely slanted a little towards the left. Can't really tell from the photo. I suppose there's about a 1/4" gap between the column and bezel top and right side. Maybe a little less on the left...but, not much. I don't think there's any way that can be adjusted.

crooked steering column My77mo10

by 77mali Fri Nov 08, 2013 7:10 pm

magic marouke wrote:
thatfnthing wrote:
magic marouke wrote:I'm talking about the column it's self . There's a noticeable gap distance where the column meets the cluster panel .
That sounds very odd. Got a photo of that perchance?
ill try , will have to be looking down through the windshield

A pic would be helpful...where is it crooked down near the pump or up top?

by Biomedtech Fri Nov 08, 2013 9:21 pm

Huh, I woulda guessed that they woulda leaned to the right so the folks doin the gangsta lean wouldn't be uncomfortable!

by magic marouke Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:01 am

Mcarlo77 wrote:I don't know if this shows anything, but maybe compare it to yours. Mine is untouched, factory original. When you sit behind the wheel, the column is definitely slanted a little towards the left. Can't really tell from the photo. I suppose there's about a 1/4" gap between the column and bezel top and right side. Maybe a little less on the left...but, not much. I don't think there's any way that can be adjusted.

alli see is a red X

sounds just like mine . i took a pic but you cant really tell from that . im still puzzled as why they are like that though . as far as i know mine hasnt been messed with either .

by magic marouke Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:03 am

77mali wrote:
magic marouke wrote:
thatfnthing wrote:
magic marouke wrote:I'm talking about the column it's self . There's a noticeable gap distance where the column meets the cluster panel .
That sounds very odd. Got a photo of that perchance?
ill try , will have to be looking down through the windshield
A pic would be helpful...where is it crooked down near the pump or up top?

from the instrament cluster to the steering wheel .

by magic marouke Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:03 am

Biomedtech wrote:Huh, I woulda guessed that they woulda leaned to the right so the folks doin the gangsta lean wouldn't be uncomfortable!

gangsta lean ?????

by magic marouke Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:17 am

magic marouke wrote:
Mcarlo77 wrote:I don't know if this shows anything, but maybe compare it to yours. Mine is untouched, factory original. When you sit behind the wheel, the column is definitely slanted a little towards the left. Can't really tell from the photo. I suppose there's about a 1/4" gap between the column and bezel top and right side. Maybe a little less on the left...but, not much. I don't think there's any way that can be adjusted.

alli see is a red X

sounds just like mine . i took a pic but you cant really tell from that . im still puzzled as why they are like that though . as far as i know mine hasnt been messed with either .

ok work computer sucks so i got on my phone and can see the pic . yep thats exactly like mine dude .

by thatfnthing Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:54 am

Biomedtech wrote:Huh, I woulda guessed that they woulda leaned to the right so the folks doin the gangsta lean wouldn't be uncomfortable!

Well, we're talking the 70's here, so probably more of a disco lean.

by Fishgrinder Tue Nov 12, 2013 6:09 am

Mine is to the left as well (1975 Monte Carlo).

by DiscoMalibu Tue Nov 12, 2013 7:12 am

The column in my '77 Malibu was the exact same way, a bit off to the left. It was very noticeable. It drove me nuts so I removed the little aluminum inserts and got it over to almost exactly center. Strange.

by ant7377 Tue Nov 12, 2013 10:50 pm

My 77 Monte is the same way but my 73 is not I always wondered why. Tried loosening it but it dosent move over.

by 77mali Tue Nov 12, 2013 11:04 pm

I removed my steering column to paint it last year & reinstalled it when I did my heads (the first time). I noticed that the 2 piece brace with the rubber gasket that holds it in place at the firewall was a *itch to get on & straight. I think that was because I had bolted the column in up top first (all the way tight & it looked straight). I think there's a trick to it between the brace at the bottom of the column on the firewall & those 4 column bolts up top, in terms of some kind of bolting sequence or "balancing" them when installing. Just my $0.02.

by zodiacblue442 Wed Nov 13, 2013 12:22 pm

When I was a little sprout in the late 70's I remember my dad complaining about this same issue in his 73 El Camino and my mom's 73 Chevelle Malibu wagon. He liked both vehicles but this little characteristic he found uncomfortable. The column was positioned left, just a little, 1/4" to 1/2" at most, but definitely not dead center.

Fast forward to today, my 74 Supreme's column is maybe 1/4" to the left. Haven't noticed it as much in my 73 442. I think this falls under "that's just the way they are." bounce

by driveit Wed Nov 13, 2013 2:10 pm

I have always felt like my whole column should have been moved a bit to the right. May If I were skinnier I might sit directly behind it. Who knows!

by dynchel Wed Nov 13, 2013 4:27 pm

In 19 years I never noticed my column off center, till I read this thread and looked. Mine is off to the left also, I never noticed so it won't bother me now.

by driveit Wed Nov 13, 2013 4:52 pm

lol.

by magic marouke Wed Nov 13, 2013 5:07 pm

DiscoMalibu wrote:The column in my '77 Malibu was the exact same way, a bit off to the left. It was very noticeable. It drove me nuts so I removed the little aluminum inserts and got it over to almost exactly center. Strange.

Which inserts are you talking about ?

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