Centering The Steering After Rebuild

[e21Keith]

This coming weekend I plan to refit the front suspension. Everything that I can refurb has been done!

My question is how do I centre the steering, so that the wheels end up pointing straight ahead, parallel, with the steering wheel straight? Other vehicles I've rebuilt have had some method of ensuring that the splines on the Universal Joint only assemble in one position but this doesn't seem to be the case with the e21.

[shadyracer01]

Id firstly find steering wheel centre setting by indicator self cancel on the column assembly then measure the distance between each track rod end balljoint centre to the inner end of track rod, where it screws into the rack, you may have to undo rack end of gaiter to see.
then aim for equal length measurement/ adjustment each side and connect up Uj's keeping steering wheel locked if possible.
its basic but wont be far off where it ought to be

[jimbob]

on my rack there was a black disc at the uj connection wich had an arrow on it. This lines up with an arrow on the body of the rack
to find the centre

[e21Keith]

Thanks for all the help. I can see the 2 marks on the rack and I know the steering wheel is already in the straight ahead position, so it's job done (or at least it will be at the weekend).

Next job, rebuild the master cylinder, install the servo and brackets and the brake pipes under the bonnet!

[Jeroen]