turns more to the left after mini steering install

[slickrock]

I just finished up my mini steering and I noticed I am turning sharper to the left than to the right. I figure I need to adjust my drank link rod between my center arm and pitman arm. If I want to make the front end to turn more to the right, I would have to shorten the distance between the rod and the pitman (at the pitman side). Am I correct in having to adjust my drank link so that I have less pull to the left and more to the right? Or is there something else I also need to do. It goes straight so the wheels are aligned properly, jsut not turning fully to the right and too much to the left. (not by much, just a little)

Thanks.

 

[grant5127]

Check the position of the pitman arm in relation to the gear box shaft... both centered???

 

[TOMSRYD]

Doesn't sound like the pitman arm was centered....With your tires pointed straight ahead disconnect the pitman arm & steer the wheel from full stop left to full stop right...Count the total turns stop to stop... Then put the steering wheel at half that count....That should give you the center of steering gear.....Then adjust the center link

 

[slickrock]

Doesn't sound like the pitman arm was centered....With your tires pointed straight ahead disconnect the pitman arm & steer the wheel from full stop left to full stop right...Count the total turns stop to stop... Then put the steering wheel at half that count....That should give you the center of steering gear.....Then adjust the center link

We centered the pitman and the wheels were straight when we bolted everything up as stated above. I looked at the rod a few minutes ago and it is not balanced out. The front is cranked all the way down to where I cannot see any threads and the back (nearest the pitman) has an inch or a bit more of thread showing. My logic is that when the arm pushes forward, it turns the wheels more to the right because of how the rod is pushed forward on its threads.

When I turn I am about a half turn of the wheel less to the driver's side right now.

 

[FLYINGLOW]

We centered the pitman and the wheels were straight when we bolted everything up as stated above. I looked at the rod a few minutes ago and it is not balanced out. The front is cranked all the way down to where I cannot see any threads and the back (nearest the pitman) has an inch or a bit more of thread showing. My logic is that when the arm pushes forward, it turns the wheels more to the right because of how the rod is pushed forward on its threads.

When I turn I am about a half turn of the wheel less to the driver's side right now.

So are you saying that the pitman is not vertical with wheels centered? How bout a pic? It shouldn't matter how the drag link is threaded in, it will just be a pita for an allignment.

 

[TOMSRYD]

Got a pitman arm puller in the shop.... Give me a call if ya need it...

 

[mr_manny]

Just wondering how not having your pitman arm centered would cause the truck to pull to one side?

Did anything else change besides the steering box?

 

[slickrock]

Just wondering how not having your pitman arm centered would cause the truck to pull to one side?

Did anything else change besides the steering box?

it doesn't pull to one side, I jsut have less steering travel when I am turning right.

Tommy, I need to get your number again. It is MIA on my phone.

 

[PabloCruise]

Check the position of the pitman arm in relation to the gear box shaft... both centered???

x 2

 

[timbercruiser]

X3 Mine turns too far right, and not enough left. I'll have to adjust the pitman arm.

 

[Mr. Toad]

Could it be as simple as adjusting your travel stops? You know -- the bolts on the back of the knuckle that strike the axle tab to limit the travel and supposedly save your birfs.

 

[Pin_Head]

It could be either the pitman arm indexing or if the box is located too far forward or rearward, the drag link. The pitman arm / sector shaft have match marks that indicate the center. If the box is centered, then adjust the drag link.

 

[camcruiser13]

gotta be th pitman arm not ceneteredm had the same prob, thought i did everything to fix it got 2 different boxes cuz i thought they were jacked up, ended up i didnt have the pitman arm in the right place, boy did i feel stupid, with the pit arm off try turing the wheel all the way right then turn the tires all the way to the right. thn with both turned to the right put the arm on. then turn left and right see if the arm moved position from where you had it and if they turn equally

 

[alf]

Its a function of the geometry. The drag link pushes out and away from the tie rod as you turn right. It does not incur this much deflection when you turn left.

At least this is the answer on my Saginaw.

Aslo the pitman arm is not parallel with the tires at center either it is offset to the passenger side. But maybe this is just a sagniaw thing.


Saginaw later

 

[alf]

DUH

Its a function of the geometry. The drag link pushes out and away from the tie rod as you turn right. It does not incur this much deflection when you turn left.

At least this is the answer on my Saginaw.

Aslo the pitman arm is not parallel with the tires at center either it is offset to the passenger side. But maybe this is just a sagniaw thing.


Saginaw later

I forgot that mini truck still uses the stock FJ40 center arm. So the above is rubbish.

kls

 

[890man]

Yours turns more to the left huh? More info than we need to know!!

 

[zornff]

Check the position of the pitman arm in relation to the gear box shaft... both centered???

X4. Been there done that. pull the pitman arm already !

 

[slickrock]

OK I am short on time till this weekend. I'll reindex the pitman arm. We double checcked to make sure it was in the dead center with the wheels straight (even used an angle finder to match everything up). If that doesn't work, I'll stick on stock pitman and see what that doesn.

Thanks for all the hlep. I'll get back when I get it done.

 

[Pin_Head]

If the Pitman arm and steering box sector shaft are centered as indicated by the match mark lines, then you are better off adjusting the length of the drag link between the pitman and the center arm to get the wheels centered. The reason is because if you move the pitman arm over a tooth to adjust the geometry, you will limit the range of motion of the box. The box will now turn more in one direction than the other.

 

[slickrock]

The arm and wheels were both centered when we hooked everything up. THis weekend I am goign to adjust the drag link first. If that doesn't solve my problem, I am going to borrow a puller and install the FJ40 pitman. I'llget back to everyone Monday. Thanks for all the help.