The Ford Barn

BILL WILLIAMSON · 10-12-2016, 08:29 PM

NASCAR drivers put a RED tape on their steering wheel @ 12:00 position, so they can somewhat know if their alignment has been knocked out of whack.
Might be an interesting thing to try, after doing front end overhauls, etc. Just to see if it changes, as things "settle" in, or if hitting POT HOLES/DEER/ROCKS/ARMADILLOS, etc, affect it
Bill Curious

Chuck Sea/Tac · 10-13-2016, 01:49 PM

Interesting, but I'd think you could notice any movement by the spokes.
About 20 years ago, I hit an 8" curb going over a small overpass. I practically tore the right front a frame off the truck. The steering wheel was almost 90° out. Decided with 240,000 miles to just buy a new van. Later, I noticed they had ramped the step.

krzewinskibe · 10-14-2016, 06:44 AM

Are you sure that's the reason? I thought it was for the fact they have quick-removable steering wheels and they know to turn it to 12 o'clock before removing the wheel so it was indexed properly when they put it back on.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 10-14-2016, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krzewinskibe

Are you sure that's the reason? I thought it was for the fact they have quick-removable steering wheels and they know to turn it to 12 o'clock before removing the wheel so it was indexed properly when they put it back on.

The steering wheels have a "MASTER SPLINE"!
Bill NASCAR

Big hammer · 10-14-2016, 10:29 AM

I used the tape trick on my grandsons quarter midgets so I could see how their cars where handling! Left turns only, if the steering wheel was being turn right in the corners, loose carI If the steering wheel is being turned more to the left, tight car! I did not have to rely on a 6 year old to tell me how his car was handling. I wish we where still racing, they chose soccer :-( over racing :-) oh well more time working on my A

Ron/IA · 10-16-2016, 12:50 PM

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Bill is correct the steering wheels have a master spline, and can only be put on one way. Also, the tape may tell the driver has an alignment problem, but more likely what he feels thru the steering wheel and the seat of his pants will tell him more.

The reason for the tape at the 12:00 o'clock position on the steering wheel is for pit stops. By placing the tape at 12:00 o'clock when stopped, the front wheels are now perpendicular to the tire changer, and the wheel will come out of the wheel well (there is very little clearance around the tire).

Wick · 10-16-2016, 05:11 PM

I thought the tape was for when your in a spin you could tell where the wheels were pointed?

10-12-2016, 08:29 PM	#1
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Alignment "checker" NASCAR drivers put a RED tape on their steering wheel @ 12:00 position, so they can somewhat know if their alignment has been knocked out of whack. Might be an interesting thing to try, after doing front end overhauls, etc. Just to see if it changes, as things "settle" in, or if hitting POT HOLES/DEER/ROCKS/ARMADILLOS, etc, affect it Bill Curious __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" Last edited by BILL WILLIAMSON; 10-13-2016 at 10:30 AM.

10-13-2016, 01:49 PM	#2
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,354	Re: Alignment "checker" Interesting, but I'd think you could notice any movement by the spokes. About 20 years ago, I hit an 8" curb going over a small overpass. I practically tore the right front a frame off the truck. The steering wheel was almost 90° out. Decided with 240,000 miles to just buy a new van. Later, I noticed they had ramped the step.

10-14-2016, 06:44 AM	#3
krzewinskibe Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Rising Sun, MD Posts: 69	Re: Alignment "checker" Are you sure that's the reason? I thought it was for the fact they have quick-removable steering wheels and they know to turn it to 12 o'clock before removing the wheel so it was indexed properly when they put it back on. __________________ 1929 Tudor

10-14-2016, 10:29 AM	#5
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,127	Re: Alignment "checker" I used the tape trick on my grandsons quarter midgets so I could see how their cars where handling! Left turns only, if the steering wheel was being turn right in the corners, loose carI If the steering wheel is being turned more to the left, tight car! I did not have to rely on a 6 year old to tell me how his car was handling. I wish we where still racing, they chose soccer :-( over racing :-) oh well more time working on my A

10-16-2016, 12:50 PM	#6
Ron/IA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Amana IA Posts: 527	Re: Alignment "checker" Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Bill is correct the steering wheels have a master spline, and can only be put on one way. Also, the tape may tell the driver has an alignment problem, but more likely what he feels thru the steering wheel and the seat of his pants will tell him more. The reason for the tape at the 12:00 o'clock position on the steering wheel is for pit stops. By placing the tape at 12:00 o'clock when stopped, the front wheels are now perpendicular to the tire changer, and the wheel will come out of the wheel well (there is very little clearance around the tire). __________________ Ron/IA 1929 Fordor Steelback Hawk A Model A Ford Club http://hawkamodelaclub.org/

10-16-2016, 05:11 PM	#7
Wick Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gwynn's Island Va Posts: 1,386	Re: Alignment "checker" I thought the tape was for when your in a spin you could tell where the wheels were pointed?