Centering steering wheel

[lush90]

The steering wheel on my '91 is off center and I finally decided to true it up. I removed the cover, horn and large bolt at the top of the column but it won't pop off. I understand it is on a splined shaft. How much pressure should it take to slide the wheel off of the splines?

[camoit]

#1: Recommended method, Use a puller if you have one. There are 2 threaded holes that long bolts will go into on ether side of the shaft.
#2: The Next way.
THE HAND METHOD. first put the nut on the shaft just to where it's a little bit away from the wheel. 1/8" should be good. Then sit in the seat. With both hands at the same time make a quick motion and bang the wheel toward you. Kind of like smacking it with a hammer, but you are using the palm of your hands. Try that 5 whacks should make it pop off. Don't forget to put on the nut because when it comes off it will smack you in the face. Some times you can just pull like the dickens while wobbling it back and forth will work.
#3: Last and least recommended method.
Put the nut on the shaft flush to the top of the shaft. Then you kind of stand in the truck and use your legs as a brace under the bottom of the wheel and apply pressure. At the same time you grab the top with a hand and pull hard. When pulling hard you smack the shaft with a hammer 2 times will normally make it come off. It's the hardest way and you can damage the threads so be careful.

[lush90]

Thanks, I'll try option #2 tomorrow!

[LSR Mike]

Or take it to the alignment shop and have them do it right by adjusting your front end alignment.

[camoit]

Or take it to the alignment shop and have them do it right by adjusting your front end alignment.

This is true if the wheel has never been pulled before. Then you need to look at the pitman arm, set it @ parallel with the frame. Then use a steering wheel holder to hold it straight. Then align from there.
I totally forgot about this method. It will work it just takes more time.

[pennyman1]

These trucks only have one adjustable tie rod, so centering using the tie rod adjustments like an american car is almost impossible

[camoit]

YEP, after looking at it you would need to set the pitman arm, lock the wheel, set the Right hand side first as close as possible since it has a bent thing that needs to stick forward. Then adjust the left to set the toe. If it was off any then pull the wheel. But I always remember mine turned sightly to the right. Once I went to a removable wheel, clocking became no issue for me as long as steering wheel was round, I was good.

[lush90]

I'm guessing this wheel has been off before as the previous owner had about everything apart on it for some reason or other.

[camoit]

But were you able to get it to pop off?

[Rahtid]

Maybe its just the 1st gen that just adjustable on one side my 2 gen is adjustable on both sides

[Payrion]

my 2nd gen is also adjustable on both sides too.

[pennyman1]

1st gen for sure only adjust from 1 side - can't remember on the 2nd gen 88 I had - NTB went to align it and the idiot aligning it snapped one tierod right off in front of me when he tried to adjust it. They couldn't even try to make me pay for it, as the moron was using a pipe wrench to turn it and was hanging on it.

[lush90]

Got it off but can't say it was a snap. I tried the loosening of the steering column nut and banging on it from underneath with my palms but it wouldn't budge. I ended up threading bolts into the holes for the puller and putting a pry bar under them and popping it free. Rotated it about 20 degrees and put it back together. Much better, thanks for the advice.

[camoit]

Next time it should pop off easer as long as you did not over tighten the nut.