steering alignment assistance needed
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,744
Likes: 5
From: Earth
steering alignment assistance needed
Ok i want to do a minor adjustment to the steering alignment, when the wheel is dead center the truck pulls slightly to the right it seems, and seems to also have a bit more play then it should, I know there was info in another thread about adjusting the tierods I believe (been trying to find that post/thread with little success) and als want to look into lessening the play in the wheel so when its held dead center it will go straight down the road, I would usually leave this work to a shop but being with out a job kinda forces me to have to learn how to do this my self!!
so if anyone knows about doing this please help, also any info that can be provided like nut size and any info like that for a first timer that would be grateful!!
so if anyone knows about doing this please help, also any info that can be provided like nut size and any info like that for a first timer that would be grateful!!
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
From: SoCal 909
Ok i want to do a minor adjustment to the steering alignment, when the wheel is dead center the truck pulls slightly to the right it seems, and seems to also have a bit more play then it should, I know there was info in another thread about adjusting the tierods I believe (been trying to find that post/thread with little success) and als want to look into lessening the play in the wheel so when its held dead center it will go straight down the road, I would usually leave this work to a shop but being with out a job kinda forces me to have to learn how to do this my self!!
so if anyone knows about doing this please help, also any info that can be provided like nut size and any info like that for a first timer that would be grateful!!
so if anyone knows about doing this please help, also any info that can be provided like nut size and any info like that for a first timer that would be grateful!!
Just take it to a shop dude. I replaced my tie rod ends and drag link and put it exactly back in and alignment was so off. Really only thing you can adjust on your own is the steering wheel position but that's it.
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Garden City
The toe setting should only be 1/16" from what I've gathered. That is the figure I used for a driveway alignment. I supported the front with jack stands as close to the tire as possible and only high enough to allow me to turn the wheels direction by hand from the outside.
Then I centered the steering wheel and kept the ignition key cylinder turned far enough to prevent the column from locking.
I then stretched string the length of the wheelbase parallel to the rear wheels and high enough to cross the diameter of the rim.
Everything I've read says the caster is supposed to make the front of the wheel push toward the center, so before measuring and after each adjustment just push the front of the tire in just until the steering wheel wiggles without moving it off center.
Measure the leading edge of the wheel to the string, then the trailing edge to the string. The difference in distance should only be 1/16 or so. You shouldn't need to turn the turnbuckles very much at all. Maybe a 1/4 turn or less at a time.
Good luck!
Then I centered the steering wheel and kept the ignition key cylinder turned far enough to prevent the column from locking.
I then stretched string the length of the wheelbase parallel to the rear wheels and high enough to cross the diameter of the rim.
Everything I've read says the caster is supposed to make the front of the wheel push toward the center, so before measuring and after each adjustment just push the front of the tire in just until the steering wheel wiggles without moving it off center.
Measure the leading edge of the wheel to the string, then the trailing edge to the string. The difference in distance should only be 1/16 or so. You shouldn't need to turn the turnbuckles very much at all. Maybe a 1/4 turn or less at a time.
Good luck!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Armyrules2
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Dec 11, 2017 09:51 PM
X-Power
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
6
May 6, 2007 10:04 PM
cndream1
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
4
Dec 4, 2006 09:08 PM
