schorb

I just had a front end alighnment about a month ago and my steering wheel isn't straight as I'm heading straight down the road. Can this be fixed very easily?

Dave65

Mine isnt straight either,it only has 1100 miles on it,but I am afraid to take it to the dealer,who knows what can happen @ the dealer.

schorb

I figure the front end alignment guy did it, but didn't get it straight. I didn't know if it was something I could do myself or if I'd have to go back to the shop.
It drives me nuts though driving down the road with the wheel looking like I should be turning!

phox_mulder

If it is like the old system, it should be fairly easy.

You should have a couple of adjustment sleeves.
One on the shaft going between the wheels,
and one on the shaft that goes from the steering box to the passenger side wheel.

The one from the box to passenger side centers the steering wheel.

You should be able to loosen the sleeve and rotate it and only the steering wheel will move.

(I know the names of all these parts, but having a CRS moment as to what they are called)


phox

schorb

Thanks phox!! I'll take a gander at this tonight pending the rain. I hope it's as easy you make it sound!

Raspy

schorb,

I straightened mine recently and it's quite easy.
Just loosen the clamp bolts on the adjustment sleeve on the link that runs between the steering box and the passenger wheel. Rotate the sleeve with pliers or a pipe wrench about 1/4 turn and test drive it. Adjust again till you get it right and retighten. Before you do it decide if you want the link longer or shorter.
This does not effect the tire's allignment, only the steering wheel position.

Wetspirit

Mexstan

When I picked up my truck the steering wheel was off center and a little stiff. Took it back to the dealer for the first service and complained about this problem. They found a defective steering box and installed a new one for me. They also did an alignment and it has been great since then.

BiggRigg600

I believe this is called a Drag Link adjustment... done it myself on just about every truck I've ever lifted (lots of them). Piece of cake, takes 15 minutes including test drives... just don't forget to tighten those clamps back up when you're finished!!

Dodgezilla

Mine's been that way since it was almost new. I asked my dealer about it and they told me that they would gladly do a front end alignment, at my expense!! I'll probably just do the adjustment myself too.........

schorb

Well, the rain prevented me doing anything last night, but I will definitely mess with it after work today!
This site is so awesome! Where else can one go to ask an off the wall question and get results from guys all around like this?!
Thanks everyone!

phox_mulder

Glad you didn't do it yet.

I thought about it and came up with some possible "gotcha's"

Make sure the tires are pointed straight, even slightly turned and you'll have a hard time centering the wheel.
They might look straight, but will be slighty turned.
Back up a good distance to make sure they are straight.

Make sure the pitman arm is pointing due south (towards the rear) when the tires are pointed straight.
If it isn't, that means the arm was installed on the gear wrong,
and you'll end up with less steering one way than the other after adjustments.

As other posted, it might take some trial and error, make sure the adjustment sleeve is very tight between adjustments.


phox

schorb

What's the pitman arm??

phox_mulder

It's the connection from the steering box to the drag link.

The drag link being the bar with the adjustment sleeve on it.

Here's a pic.
(the drag link pictured doesn't have the adjustment sleeve though)

phox

schorb

Ahh....okay. I just hope I don't screw it up any worse than what it is! So thanks again! I really appreciate your help on this subject phox!

Mexstan

If you do any of these adjustments as has been suggested, make very sure that you record (don't trust your memory) every turn or part turn of any adjustments and which direction you turned it. This way if what you do turns out worse you can easily go back to square one and start over.