(You can skip this first paragraph) Hi, I've been on this forum and others, and reddit, looking for a solution. I thought I was looking in the right places but I even asked a mechanic friend of mine for help and he can't find the solution either (Please take it easy on me)

So recently I replaced my Steering wheel clock spring in my car and when putting the steering wheel back on, the splines didn't match up to make the wheel straight. It was either a little too far left or too far right. The car was perfectly aligned before doing the job. Am I missing something? Am I doing something wrong for it do be going back on the steering shaft crooked? Below is the picture of my problem. Thank you in advance to anyone who answers

This is the photo of it a little to the left. This is the closest to center I can get it

 

Thats probably how it was when u removed it. Is the steering wheel prefectly centered when the car is driving straight?

 

I thought that was the case. But if I put it back on this way, the steering wheel is slightly crooked when driving straight. It was not like this before doing this job.

 

I know u replied in this thread, but its not showing up. Weird.

 

Potentially try an alignment i had a similar situation and an alignment and a steering angle reset (atleast i believe thats what it is called) fixed it

 

It might but wouldn't the locking for the steering wheel be uneven? The spline for the steering shaft is straight when the wheels are straight its just the wheel itself. Is there a special way to put on the steering wheel so the marks line back up?

 

No, the steering wheel spline has to line up with the spline on the shaft. Install it in the position that is closest to matching the wheels when they are perfectly centered. If the steering wheel is still slightly off, then you can have an alignment shop adjust it afterwards. Or u can do it yourself�its not that difficult.

The only other adjustment point between the tires and the steering wheel is the U-joints. But I wouldnt mess with those if you already haven�t. If u mess that up then u will get a steering angle disagreement and a warning light on your dash.

 

Sorry for the late reply. But as a disclaimer I have messed with the u joint/rack and pinion/tie rods previously. But I was able to get it all aligned with no steering angle sensor light. (Car driving straight and angle for steering lock matching for each side) This only happened after i replaced the clockspring where i had to take of the steering wheel. The closest I can the notches to match up when putting it back on is with the steering shaft spline center, and the steering wheel mark just that small degree off to the left. I'm going to see what the steering wheel lock looks like when it's fully turned to the left and the right to see what the difference is, and then act accordingly.