fj60 steering wheel misalignment

[krustaceon]

If my steering wheel is not aligning my wheels to drive straight when I have the steering wheel centered, does this mean I just need to remove the steering wheel and adjust it manually "by eye"? OR is there more to it. My truck doesn't wander left or right so there isn't an alignment issue...i think. Is this a fairly simple task to undertake? Before I do any guess work I though I'd ask the experts here!

Thanks

 

[roalco]

Check the height of the rear wheel arches, right and left side. If you have an uneven height due to load or old tired oem springs, your vehicles body, and frame will be slightly canted to one side, and the steering wheel will be off to one side to compensate when going straight. Common complaint on our trucks. I wrestled with mine for years until I put airbags in the rear, adjust them independently to level the rear and SHAZAM, the steering wheel was back cantered just like it was when it was new.

 

[HJ61 12HT]

Jack the front wheels off the ground and check that you have an equal number of turns of the steering wheel from the center to the right and left.
If you do then it means the steering wheel is correctly mounted on the shaft. If not then pull the wheel off and adjust.
Once that is correct, you may need to lengthen or shorten the rod that goes from the steering box to the swivel hub to get the steering wheel in the right position when driving down the road.

 

[krustaceon]

I will attempt. Very much appreciated!

 

[lehiguy]

Getting everything square starts with the pitman arm. It should be pointing straight forward when the wheels are pointing straight forward. If they are out of whack, adjust the drag link to correct. once those two things agree, THEN go to steering wheel indexing.

 

[krustaceon]

Great insight fellas. Thanks for your input. I will look at pitman arm and verify its position. Cheers.