Steering wheel off center
- Thread starter ffrree
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Well, at least there's wind. That makes it more like an air fryer than a microwave oven.
FWIW
Once you get it loose, I like to drive it a block or two and adjust and repeat tell it's right.
IMHO it’s the only way to get it perfect and why they come back from the alignment shop slightly off.
They don’t have the time for this last step
Once you get it loose, I like to drive it a block or two and adjust and repeat tell it's right.
IMHO it’s the only way to get it perfect and why they come back from the alignment shop slightly off.
They don’t have the time for this last step
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This was the case for me (bottomed out), ended up removing the whole drag link and placing it into a vice and hammering away before I tried going the other way, my fault for not coming to ih8mud first. I just added even turns to both sides to give me more threads for adjustment and was able dial in the steering wheel after.
I just had gear box and pitman arm end of drag link replaced and have steering wheel off center. I can loosen and turn drag link with no problem with threads left on both ends. My issue is when I turn drag link to get wheel straight, the pitman arm goes outward straightening wheel and the PS tire is also being turned outward.
So I can straighten up steering wheel but how does that “toe out” of PS tire not have a negative affect. I would rather a bit toe in.
So I can straighten up steering wheel but how does that “toe out” of PS tire not have a negative affect. I would rather a bit toe in.
If you adjusting the drag link it should have no affect on toe.
Tie rod is in back of the axle, drag link is in front.
Tie rod is in back of the axle, drag link is in front.
So if I turn the drag link doesn’t each TRE on ends of drag link move in or out? If so, doesn’t that move the tire?
No, only the steering wheel should move in relationship to the tires.
You are doing the adjustment with the steering column unlocked right.
Yes it moves the tire(s), but it’s changing the relationship of the steering wheel to the drive path (direction the tires are facing). If your steering wheel is off center when traveling straight, the drag link adjustment is changing that relationship until they are both straight . Toe in is adjusted by changing the length of the Tie Rod (the one behind the front axle). Toe in adjusts the line of each tire where toe in is where the front side of the tires are less far apart than the rear side.
Yes. I also jacked up the PS tire and can see it move as well as pitman arm as I turn drag link. It just seems like it will cause tire direction to be off… but I guess not.
The PS side tire should not move independently of the DS tire unless you have other issues or if your adjusting the tie rod.
Adjusting the steering wheel is very small adjustments with both tires on the ground.
Referred to post number 23
Adjusting the steering wheel is very small adjustments with both tires on the ground.
Referred to post number 23
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Thanks for the info.
If I can add a question on to this… I recently had the joint apart to replace the steering shaft seal, and my steering wheel is for sure off center since that. Is there a connection between that joint (I believe it’s called the rag joint) and the level of the steering wheel, or is this just a coincidence?
@Malleus I appreciate the diagram. I'm admittedly not super great at interpreting this. Is it your guidance that my steering wheel could have become un-centered as a result of something during the replacement of the steering shaft seal?
Not so much as a result of the seal work, but more so as a result of the tie rod/relay rod adjustments. I recently replaced all four rods ends on my DD and the steering wheel was not in the same position as when I started, even though I installed the new rod ends in the same place as the old ones.
IMHO, the rod adjustments are the important part of the job. The steering wheel position is something that should be adjusted to that.
If you disconnect it at the splines in the steering shift and did not mark it line it back up in the same position that would put you steering wheel off.
And if that’s the case there my not be enough adjustment in the drag link to correct it.
Thank you both for the replies, I will check both of those items.
I did mark the spline locations, but it was getting dark and my flashlight died so it could very well be that I THOUGHT I had them lined back up but indeed did not.
I did mark the spline locations, but it was getting dark and my flashlight died so it could very well be that I THOUGHT I had them lined back up but indeed did not.