Technical 37 Ford steering wheel off center

Hey guys, first post on here (I’ve been lurking for years).

I have a new to me 37 Ford Sedan that’s all stock. The steering wheel is way off center when the wheels are straight. The car drives perfect and doesn’t track to either side.
My question is, do I have to pull the steering column out of the steering box? Or can I remedy this by just taking off the wheel and re centering it? Thanks.

 

To do it properly....

Pull tie rod off of pitman arm, turn steering wheel all the way one direction, then count turns and turn all the way to the other side to gear lock.

This will tell you true travel of the steering gear. Once you know that, cut turns in half, thus is the true center of the steering gear.

So if it's 4 turns "lock to lock", half of that is 2. So turn back to one side to lock (this is where the gear's end of travel and "locks" the gears) now turn back 2 turns, there's gear center. Steering wheel should be straight. If not remove steering wheel and re-install it straight.

Once you do this, BEFORE you install the steering wheel nut, double check position, this time with steering wheel straight and centered, turn left and count turns and note position of steering wheel, now go back to center and do the same thing the other direction. They should be the same.

So using the numbers above, 4 turns lock to lock, you should now have an even 2 turns to the left from center and 2 turns to the right to center and steering wheel should be straight on center.

Now when setting toe, center steering wheel and set toe-in and tie rods to match steering wheel. Do this and steering gear will always be on center, right where it belongs....


....

 

First, check to see if the box is centered, as described above.
No need to pull the column.

 

The drag ling should have an adjustment at where it meets the right spindle. The adjustment can be made there.Make sure like lostone says that the steering shaft is centered lock to lock.When centered the pitman arm should point straight ahead. IF not you need to pull the pitman arm off and since its splined but it back on accordingly.

 

There is only one position for the wheel to the column, so don’t bother pulling the wheel. After centering the box like described, check the pitman for pointing straight. If it is not, let us know.

Otherwise, it’s pretty simple as described. With the box held in it’s perfect center (put a piece of tape on the steering wheel at top center) adjust the drag link to center the tires.

 

There should be a slight drag crossing center in the gear box, if not the gear box needs adjusted. The tight spot is to help keep the wheel center and to keep you from always correcting when driving straight.

 

Caster is what keeps you from correcting when driving straight, It also brings the wheels back to center after a turn.

 

Awesome thanks so much for your help everyone.

 

Yes, I just remembered. The wheels are tapered with a key, not splines.

 

Simply loosen both bolts on the sleeve for the drag link, turn in or out until the wheel is where you want it. tighten bolts

 

I was able to move the sleeve for the drag link over enough to improve the steering wheel position quite a bit. Still not perfectly center but it’s a lot closer. Thanks again for the help.