[V8] Steering rack questions pt2

[Jeremy Ward]

Next question:
How do you realign the steering wheel so it is 'straight' when the car is
going straight?  I tried removing the shackle bolt and removing the steering
column from where it attaches to the part of the rack where it comes through
the firewall, but it is somewhat 'keyed' and will only go on one way.  There
doesn't appear to be any adjustments on the rack itself, so I am assuming I
will have to remove the steering wheel with the tiers straight, and
reinstall it straight as well...  

Am I right?  Any tips on how to do this?

Thanks in advance,

- Jeremy

-----Original Message-----
From: Jeremy Ward [mailto:jward.v8 at gmail.com] 
Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2006 3:37 PM
To: 'v8 at audifans.com'
Subject: Steering rack questions

Hey guys.  Steering rack is almost done.  I took it our last Saturday
(3hrs), spent 3hrs Sunday putting it back in and was unable to finish the
job (had company coming over).

Another 2 hrs today and it's just about done.  I will do a full write-up
here soon, but have a few questions:

1 - Is an alignment required after the R&R?  I didn't remove the tie rods,
nor did I change their length...

2 - Any tips on how to get the friggin driver's seatbelt tensioning bracket
(for the PROCON TEN system) fastened back down?  Can I do this from
underneath the car, or is working in that corner of the engine compartment
my only option?

I am really jones'n to go for a drive after a week of driving the wife's
Caravan.  :-)  I have a big road trip on Thursday down the Oregon Coast with
a buddy that is coming into town, and then the V8 goes into the body shop
the following Monday for 2 weeks of repairs.  :-(

BTW, I decided to get the smoked taillights from AudiConnection; it was a
mixed bag from those who responded 50/50 on whether to stay red or go
smoked, so I decided 'what the heck'.  If you see them on the Marketplace in
a few months, you'll know I changed my mind.  :-)

Cheers,

- Jeremy