Hey All..
Well, after lottsa reading and searching, and getting lots of info from off topic threads as I searched (hah), I will hope for the best with a new thread

Changing my clutch and flywheel, etc etc in my 2005 TL 6MT. This meant a subframe drop, which I opted to leave my PS lines and and all accesories attached and tie wrapped up during my tranny removal. So, during my process, I apparently didnt hang the rack and pinion high or tight enough, and I have found that the steering column has come out. Im sure its a simple insertion of the spline shaft into the column, however, I definitely want to maintain good steering wheel alignment.

Here's the kink..
1) With the subframe removed, wheels are not mounted, tie rods are separated, ball joints separated, etc etc. So, the guarantee of a straight wheel current setup is not guaranteed.
2) When i replace the tranny (today) and install the subframe back in, the rack will then be installed back in mounting position locking the splined shaft and column back together.

So, it seems I will have no guarantee that I have the steering wheel aligned after the column is put back together. And it seems I will not figure this out until I am pretty much done with the project and the wheels are mounted back up.. So, in effect, if the steering wheel is not aligned, it seems the only way to align it will be to remove the steering wheel and go from there. Yes, I could adjust tie rods, but I am guessing steering wheel removal would be the better option (for no obvious reason other than just to not deal with tie rod adjustment -- equal distance, both sides, same direction)..

Any thoughts or others with better steering wheel alignment experience?

Thanks all...

 

Any pics needed or requested for a better explanation can easily be done..

 

Did you paint alignment marks between the subframe and body? If not it might be out of alignment. You have already gone through this much work, just bolt it up and get a proper four wheel alignment. No reason to cheap out now.
Fwiw, it is much easier to drop the rack with the subframe, no alignment needed. You undo the two 10 mm bolts on the coupler, undo the ugh pressure line, kock the tie rod ends out of the knuckle and lower with subframe. Always paint marks across the subframe and vehicle body for spot on alignment.

 

I did mark my frame to subframe. I don't mind getting a proper alignment done anyways. I had already planned that one out. However, I would like to be on the correct spline in the column for now so as to make the whole process easier, and to alleviate any problems during the few days of driving until I have my alignment done. I assume the alignment will be done after approximately a week of driving on the TL.. most likely.. not 100% sure tho.

 

I think the luckiest I can be in this is if I get down there and the previous owner has already had to remove the column for some reason in the past... and marks already align the column to the shaft.. woohoo.. but highly doubtful. hah

 

As long as you marked the subframe to frame, and havent moved the steering wheel or the tie rods, you should be able to stab it close enough. Any slight adjustment done with a four wheel alignment will more than make up for it.

 

Just as an update to this issue, it was an easy adjustment to the originally misplaced spline shaft stab. After the subframe reinstall with the guesstimate on the steering column stab (although the wheels had been moved off center during the project multiple times), my straight line wheel alignment left my steering wheel center top sitting at about 10-11 o'clock. I crawled under the steering wheel to check out the linkage as another poster had mentioned a quick unbolt and adjustment.. Very true.. At the linkage, there are 4 bolts, two from each direction. I removed the two nuts facing the steering wheel and pushed the soiling column up into the steering wheel column. Of course, I did mark my current setup with my tires approximate lined straight and true. With this marked, I was able to separate the splined shaft and the steering column and correct the steering wheel alignment with a rotation of the correct amount of splines.. Bolted back up.. Bingo. Easy as a 2 nut and bolt removal, adjust, reinstall bolts.