steering wheel installation

[gw84]

93 lumina (no airbag). I got a new [used] wheel today and in the instructions per my Chilton manual, it said to loosen the main (center) nut until it's flush with the bolt before removing the steering wheel. I did this and the wheel came off no problem. Now when I go to put the new wheel on my car, what is the procedure? I have a kit from OReillys.

Also, the book says to mark the wheel and the shaft so that they're in the same position when I'm finished, is this a big deal? Can I try to just have it straight/centered/forward? Will installling a new wheel affect my car's alignment?

[Tech II]

Usually the steering wheel and the mating steering wheel stud are slotted so they only go on one way.....torque to spec, with steering wheel locked, and then put on that clip....

[gw84]

last time I had wheel put on, they didn't put on that little retainer clip. Wheel moves back and forth slightly. I have a few of those, so I will be sure to put one on. thanks!

[Schurkey]

Steering wheel and shaft should be marked by GM. Align the mark on the wheel with the mark on the shaft.

Wheel and shaft are splined, can go on about twenty different ways. Only one of them is correct; and you'll find out about that when you try to install the horn contacts and turnsignal cancel cam.

If you did get the wheel installed on the wrong spline, the car will drive straight forward while the steering wheel is tilted. You may also have problems with the turn signal canceling.

If you have the car aligned to straighten the steering wheel, the car will turn sharper to one direction than the other.

Getting the steering wheel on the correct spline is really not an option.