I have a 1997 trans am that I just did a motor swap on. I decided to buy a steering knuckle from a 2000 trans am, and I also did the ls1 break upgrade on my 1997 trans am. When I installed the ls1 knuckle my wheels are straight, but my steering wheel is not. What do I need to do to set up the steering wheel straight when the tires are pointed straight? Do I need to take the wheel off, or should I just grind out the bottom of the steering knuckle where it connects to the rack and pinion, so I can put the knuckle on any way I want to?

 

Adjust the tie rod ends. That will affect the toe-in, so you need to have it done by an alignment shop. Did you have it aligned after the brake swap?

 

Thanks I know I needed to have it aligned after the brakes were added, I just was not sure if that would fix my problem. I found this and I may do this to fix the steering wheel http://www.ltxtech.com/forums/showth...aft-*Write-Up*.

 

You may be able to get the wheel straight using that method but that's not correcting the problem. Using that method can cause damage to the clock spring as well, depending on how much you have to change the relationship between the wheel and steering gear. Like Injuneer said you need to get it aligned. Changing the knuckles, especially with a used kunckle can change the camber, caster and toe. You most likely changed the total toe significantly with the new knuckles considering the steering wheel is now off center.

 

I can't really understand the preference for hacks (move the steering wheel, grind things down, change the steering shaft) when all you need to do is get it aligned, telling the person that aligns it SPECIFICALLY that the steering wheel needs to be centered. A good shop does that without a reminder, but the incompetent shops will not bother, unless you tell them that's what you want.

 

O.K that's what I am going to do then.I have a good alignment shop about 1/2 mi from my house. I will tow it to them and then tow the car to the paint shop.

 

From what I am reading, he hasn't touched the knuckles. He really means the steering shaft. LS1 shafts are different and cause the steering wheel to be off. IMHO, taking it to an alignment shop is going to cause the tie rod ends to be adjusted pretty kooky to line up the wheel. Doing the rework of the shaft like the link to the other forum might be best.

 

I think shoebox may be correct. As it sits now the wheel is straight but making a left turn. If they were to adjust the tie rod's it will be a lot of adjustment.

 

I think the correct way to install the ls1 shaft on a lt1 is by following the link I posted. I went a head and did it that way, it was not too difficult and the steering wheel and the tires point in the correct position now. Because I did change the brakes I am still going to have the car aligned; at least they will not have to make any major adjustments now.

 

Ignore all my input.... I interpreted the "knuckle" to be what GM calls the "steering knuckle"- the part that attaches between the upper and lower A-arms, carries the wheel bearing and the brakes. Again, this is what GM calls the "steering knuckle". The u-joint in the steering shaft is, I believe, called the "steering coupling".