Finished OME lift, steering wheel crooked?! (3 Viewers)

[Gappy]

I just finished my OME/HD lift. I will post before and after pics later. Rides, drives and looks fantastic. Any way, my steering wheel is now at 1:00 instead of 12:00. It doesn't pull at all. I know how to pull the steering wheel but was curious why this happens?
Should you do a front end alignment after a lift?

 

[NorCal60]

There is a greater lateral difference between the pitman arm and where the drag link attaches to the pasenger side knuckle with the lift springs. You don't need a realignment but if the steering wheel being crooked bothers you then pulling the wheel is an option. hth!

 

[John McVicker]

There is a greater lateral difference between the pitman arm and where the drag link attaches to the pasenger side knuckle with the lift springs. You don't need a realignment but if the steering wheel being crooked bothers you then pulling the wheel is an option. hth!

Crooked steering wheels drive me crazy. Simple & quick fix :

1) Loosen the clamps on the relay rod. This is the rod that goes to the pitman arm.
2) With a pipe wrench, adjust it a few turns to move the steering wheel in the desired direction.
3) Tighten clamps.

A few tips : It shouldn't take too many turns to center the wheel. If all was well prior to the lift and this adjustment, you should have the same # of turns of the wheel...left to right...lock to lock.

HTH John

 

[lovetoski]

I just finished my OME/HD lift. I will post before and after pics later. Rides, drives and looks fantastic. Any way, my steering wheel is now at 1:00 instead of 12:00. It doesn't pull at all. I know how to pull the steering wheel but was curious why this happens?
Should you do a front end alignment after a lift?

Crooked steering wheel is normal after a lift. Recenter the steering wheel and you're ready to go. Either pull it, or adj the relay rod.

If the alignment was good before the lift, it should still be fine.

 

[DirtyLittleSecret]

Grab center cap of steering wheel and PULL! undo center nut and reset wheel. Replace nut, and cap. FIXED!

 

[MDH33]

Adjust the relay rod. Pulling the wheel and re-centering will cause you to have issues with your turn signal mechanism in the column. Also will cause a wider turn radius in one direction than the other.

 

[2LCs]

Nice info. I need to do this as well.

 

[euclid]

do your own alignment

 

[Gappy]

Crooked steering wheels drive me crazy. Simple & quick fix :

1) Loosen the clamps on the relay rod. This is the rod that goes to the pitman arm.
2) With a pipe wrench, adjust it a few turns to move the steering wheel in the desired direction.
3) Tighten clamps.

A few tips : It shouldn't take too many turns to center the wheel. If all was well prior to the lift and this adjustment, you should have the same # of turns of the wheel...left to right...lock to lock.

HTH John

It looks like I need to pull the pitman arm, not loosen any clamps. I don't see any clamps. My pitman arm is attached to a rod right at the bottom of the steering box. It would make sense to pull the arm w/a gear puller and then turn the rod to straighten the steering wheel. Am I seeing this correct??!?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

It looks like I need to pull the pitman arm, not loosen any clamps. I don't see any clamps. My pitman arm is attached to a rod right at the bottom of the steering box. It would make sense to pull the arm w/a gear puller and then turn the rod to straighten the steering wheel. Am I seeing this correct??!?

No Gappy, what you propose is the wrong way to approach this. The right way is to adjust the relay rod as others have said. It's is effectively too short due to the lift, and you need to lengthen it. Simple job.

 

[Fuzzy Logic]

You could open a can of rusted worm problems by jack'n with the relay rod, much easier to adjust @ the steering wheel

 

[Heartworm]

No, do the relay rod. Spray the clamps down with PB Blaster, get them loose, turn the rod with a pipe wrench. One and one half banana job.

 

[mtb_rider]

This is interesting to follow. I have the same issue. My alignment seems fine, no pull or noticeable tire wear problems, but my steering wheel is at about 2 o clock. Bugs the crap out of me. No hijack intended, but good info. Neat to see the differing opinions.

 

[John McVicker]

This is interesting to follow. I have the same issue. My alignment seems fine, no pull or noticeable tire wear problems, but my steering wheel is at about 2 o clock. Bugs the crap out of me. No hijack intended, but good info. Neat to see the differing opinions.

There is only one correct way to do it....one, not two. Adjust your relay rod.

John

 

[Gappy]

OK....it has sunk in my thick skull....my confsion is that I did not understand what the relay rod is. I was thinking that it is what attachs above the pitman arm, I understand now that it is below the pitman arm. Terminology confusion on my end.
Thanks for the help!!

 

[John McVicker]

OK....it has sunk in my thick skull....my confsion is that I did not understand what the relay rod is. I was thinking that it is what attachs above the pitman arm, I understand now that it is below the pitman arm. Terminology confusion on my end.
Thanks for the help!!

Tom...Make sure you adjust the correct rod. The relay is the one that in fact attaches TO the pitman arm and this is the one you want.

That may be the one you are talking about...just wanted to be certain. There are 2 different rods at the front end. The long rod attaches to the knuckles/wheels. Not this one.

The shorter one attaches to the pitman arm/steering box....this is the one you want to adjust to center your steering wheel.

And remember also, it doesn't take much movement of the relay rod to move the steering wheel. Have a helper sit in the vehicle while you turn the relay rod. Adjust it...drive it ...adjust again. You'll get it.

Good luck, John

 

[Gappy]

Thanks John for the clarity!!
I gave the clamps and rod threads a good soaking with PB Blaster and will try to give it a turn this afternoon.

 

[Spike Strip]

Well, Gappy, how'd it go with the alignment and the new lift? You happy with the setup ?

 

[tonyota]

Shoot, Gappys done ditched the 62 for a 40. He did get the steering adjusted properly though.

 

[78toyFJ40]

Tom,

We need pics!!! I wish I was there to see it.

Scott