Trying to get steering wheel straight and level

What does the knife-edge looking thing supposed to do - thanks in advance

 

It appears to be a handle to be used during toe adjustments instead of using the vise grip method.

If you need to center the steering wheel, it really should be done on an alignment rack. You might be able to center the steering wheel but I doubt you can maintain proper toe adjustment by making your changes yourself. You are dealing with fractions of an inch.

 

That was just to hold the sleeve clamp in position
For some engineering reason (strength most likely) they wanted that sleeve clamp in that one position
I used to cut them off when they would get bent up beyond repair
Yours still looks nice enough to save and use

 

Ford calls it clear vision (to the gauges and speedo), when it comes to a straight steering wheel
Did you get it straight? I did alignments for years and can help maybe
Thing to remember is the RH outer has clockwise threads and the LF outer has CCW threads
And
If the steering wheel is off to the right, the wheels need to be moved to the right.

 

Okay
I wondered about the threads - thanks for that
I tried 1 1/2 turns on each side but did not allow for the different hand threads No wonder it didn't seem to straighten it out

I'll try again and report back...

 

Update from last week - I tried to diy this but no joy
Local shop here did the alignment - $94 well spent and all settings within 0.02 degrees!
I have tie rods, ball joints coming from 1aauto next week, not surprisingly there's a lot of play in these 28-year old parts, but the steering wheel's straight again and it drives/stops straight down the road, kit also comes with new bushings for the radius arms

Good week for the ol pickemup: Safellite replaced cracked windshield, cleaned/painted wipers, swapped in a working oil pressure gauge into the instrument cluster, front alignment, and drained radiator / added fresh Prestone - checks at -10 degrees

 

Good job Apple
Enjoy your truck