Is there an easy quick fix to "realign" the steering wheel. It is off 90 degrees from center
steering wheel is misaligned
- Thread starter SHAUNBLACKMON
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Coolerman
SILVER Star
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2004
- Threads
- 143
- Messages
- 6,766
- Location
- Paint Lick, KY
- Website
- www.globalsoftware-inc.com
Point the wheels straight forward, remove steering wheel, and place it back so that it is aligned.
- Thread starter
- #3
so that will work? I have had other vehicles it would not work on... so didn't know
pb4ugo
SILVER Star
The proper way would be to adjust the drag link and center link or whatever they call them on a 40, to center the wheel.
C6H12O6
SILVER Star
Unless the wheel if mis-aligned because it was removed from the column at some point and re-installed out of alignment. If the wheel was installed improperly, you probably don't have enough adjustment in the steering linkage to fix it. If the wheel wasn't removed and is now out-of-straight, check for bent/loose steering arms.
Do you have any kind of lift? When lifted the angle of the drag link changes and becomes to short. Or like mentioned, if it is bent.
Coolerman
SILVER Star
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2004
- Threads
- 143
- Messages
- 6,766
- Location
- Paint Lick, KY
- Website
- www.globalsoftware-inc.com
My tongue in cheek reply will work IF you don't have some other reason for the misalignment as stated in the above posts.
My best advice is either take it to an alignment shop to be inspected and repaired, OR download the Factory Service Manual and figure out what needs to be tweaked. There are too many variables to be able to help you on a forum. A pic or two of your current setup would help though....
My best advice is either take it to an alignment shop to be inspected and repaired, OR download the Factory Service Manual and figure out what needs to be tweaked. There are too many variables to be able to help you on a forum. A pic or two of your current setup would help though....
- Thread starter
- #8
it has a 2 1/2 in lift, I think, it is probably a minor tweek with the pitman arm, if steering wheel is straight tire look straight but when driving seems to be a 1/4 turn off (90 degrees)
reddog90
SILVER Star
Pics?
- Thread starter
- #10
of?
reddog90
SILVER Star
Amount of adjustment in steering linkage, pitman arm angle with steering wheel straight vs with tires straight, etc.
cruiserkev
3 decades in the same FJ40
Make sure your wheels are straight. Remove the 3 Phillips head screws holding the center pad on in the middle of the steering wheel. Use a large crescent wrench to remove the nut holding it on. Grab the wheel at the 9 and 3 o'clock position then rock and pull the wheel at the same time. Should pop off but sometimes it can be difficult to get the tapered fit to separate. Reposition the wheel straight and reassemble. This method has worked for me on several different cruisers. Easy 10 minute job, good luck! 
Make sure your wheels are straight. Remove the 3 Phillips head screws holding the center pad on in the middle of the steering wheel. Use a large crescent wrench to remove the nut holding it on. Grab the wheel at the 9 and 3 o'clock position then rock and pull the wheel at the same time. Should pop off but sometimes it can be difficult to get the tapered fit to separate. Reposition the wheel straight and reassemble. This method has worked for me on several different cruisers. Easy 10 minute job, good luck!
This basic method has worked for me on many different vehicles including my FJ40.
On occasion have used a steering wheel puller for some really stubborn steering wheels.
I stay away from knucklebusters (crescents) except as a last resort.
Correct sized socket or end wrench is best.
- Thread starter
- #14
oh, ok will do tonight
pb4ugo
SILVER Star
Your lift probably made the wheel off center. Your link adjustments should make the drag and center rods longer. Don't adjust the rod going from wheel to wheel. That adjusts toe. Roll the vehicle back and forth so the tires are tracking straight, then adjust the links to center the wheel. Once you think it's close or correct roll the vehicle again or drive it to confirm when the vehicle is tracking straight that the steering wheel is centered. I'd start by adjusting the rod going from the box to the center arm/bellcrank. Make sure that the TRE threads still extend into the rods enuff to be secure. Removing the steering wheel should be a last resort. If you remove the steering wheel to make the adjustment, then there's a good possibility that the vehicle will turn more 1 way than the other, and the box won't be centered to the steering linkages and wheels.
Last edited:
reddog90
SILVER Star
I am refreshing my steering right now. I forgot to mark my pitman arm and gearbox with a punch before removing the pitman arm several weeks ago, and now I am trying to reinstall all my steering rods with everything centered. I have my steering wheel centered but I get 2.5 turns one way and 3 turns the other. I guess I should disregard the steering wheel orientation and turn it to where I have 2.75 turns either way, reinstall my steering rods, then center my steering wheel like mentioned earlier? I guess it's most important to get the steering gearbox centered, then make minor tweaks on the drag link and if you have to, adjust the steering wheel orientation?
