This is a great post and it should be posted in the TECH folder.

I just had my alignment checked and they said it was spot on, my tires are at the (60lbs cold) correct pressure but steering wheel was 1" off to the left. I performed this EASY proceedure and not it is straight as can be!!

 

Dealer just put a new drag link and tried roping me in for an alignment for 99 bucks. I ok'd it at first then remembered this thread. Called and canceled the alignment which was done not long ago at my buddies tire shop. Thanks for saving me $100.

 

Found this link...however, my 03 Exc EB doesn't appear to have the same linkage setup as the picture in the original post. Mine is a 4x2, FWIW. Mine has a knuckle coming off the steering box, which attaches to the main tie rod. From there the only two adjustment points are on the ends of each tie rod...

Any insight is appreciated on straightening the wheel.

mike

 

Here is a pic of what mine looks like underneath...

 

The leg bone is connected to the foot bone and foot bone is connected to the toe bone........:-)

 

Bump...as in the pic, there doesn't appear to be an adjustment collar between the drag arm and pittman. Any help here from those in the know that have made this adjustment on a 4x2?

thanks

 

I wouldn't suggest doing one like yours unless you know how to do a toe alignment. It's much too difficult to explain on here for your setup.
You would basically have to move each adjuster in equal amounts to get the toe back to center. Don't try it.

Also DO NOT EVER pull a steering wheel and try to move it if it's crooked. If it's crooked after an alignment then keep going back till it's not. Straightening the steering wheel is part of a basic alignment job but most shops don't take the time to do it right any more.

For those of you with the adjuster on your drag link after you move it to center the wheel then sight down the sides of the tires and make sure it's straight. An alignment machine looks for toe, total toe and set back. It's hard to know if you are dogtracking without a machine but you can tell pretty well just by sighting down the sides of the tires with the wheel straight. Crooked steering wheels are usually caused by idiot alignment techs but also can be caused by an axle that has shifted. I see a lot of these trucks running down the road dogtracking from improper alignments.

 

Thanks. Recently had an alignment, which got it closer to center, but it's still an inch or so off to the right - enough to drive me crazy.

I appreciate the feedback. This excursion is new to me, I'm a good wrench, but this is my first Ford truck, so I'm learning. Does that knuckle coming off the Pittman look bad, or need servicing? It's got a grease port, so maybe I'll push some new grease in there.

Mike

 

I'm digging up an old post...but it was very useful!

Saved me $$$!

I used a pipe wrench since I didn't have big channel locks.

This is a VERY easy adjustment. I just went a little bit at a time until my wheel was where I wanted it to be.

 

For me over the top towards the front of the truck moved my steering wheel left, up and over toward the rear went right.

This was on my 2011

 

this was a great post and tons of help. I got my wheel centered on my own... thanks again.!!!

 

Remember to tighten the nuts to 41 ft-lbs

 

Thank You!!!!! My steering wheel is now perfectly straight I've had 2 shops tell me i needed a new steering box and thanks to this thread it is now perfect!

 

this is perfect, i've needed to do this since getting my Ex in 2010!

 

is this the same procedure for a 1996 F350 CC PSD 4x4 ? apologies if this question has already been answered.(i DID read the entire thread, but only saw newer trucks mentioned)

TIA