Alignment question
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2019
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Alignment question
last week I had a local shop put new tires on my 93 f250 4wd. I had them do an alignment because it pulled left pretty good. I have driven the truck for 10000 miles like that since I bought it. I’ve kind of gotten used to it. Steering was not loose by any means.
So, after I picked it up and headed home. The steering wheel has a ton of play (didn’t before) and whe I make a turn or go around a curve, the wheels don’t return to center. I have to turn the wheel the opposite way to correct and with the play in the steering now it seems sketchy. Has my shop done a bad alignment or is there a part that has worn out and now with the alignment being done I’m showing worse symptoms than before? I’m going to call the shop tomorrow to talk about it but I’d like to get some info before so they don’t bs me. Any info is appreciated.
So, after I picked it up and headed home. The steering wheel has a ton of play (didn’t before) and whe I make a turn or go around a curve, the wheels don’t return to center. I have to turn the wheel the opposite way to correct and with the play in the steering now it seems sketchy. Has my shop done a bad alignment or is there a part that has worn out and now with the alignment being done I’m showing worse symptoms than before? I’m going to call the shop tomorrow to talk about it but I’d like to get some info before so they don’t bs me. Any info is appreciated.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 37
Likes: 5
Two times I have experienced my steering wheel not returning to center and having to steer it back as you described. Once I hit a stump in a pasture and bent my steering damper. And the other time I also hit a stump in a pasture and bent a tie rod.
Maybe they damaged one of those components
Maybe they damaged one of those components
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 103
Likes: 2
Look at the condition of the rag joint towards the end of the steering shaft by the box. If the rubber is in rough shape you will get excessive play in your steering and it will be hard for it to return to center.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,979
Likes: 515
From: Edmond, OK
You could always have the shop put your truck back on the alignment rack and show you that the alignment angles are set to OE spec. 
The bad thing is that there's only so much an alignment can do if the steering and suspension parts are 26 years old. 
Did you replace any steering or suspension parts before the alignment?
The bad thing is that there's only so much an alignment can do if the steering and suspension parts are 26 years old. Did you replace any steering or suspension parts before the alignment?
Elder User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 695
Likes: 22
That's a curious situation. Other than setting toe-in on bigger trucks, I've never done alignments but worked in shops where they WERE done. If a customer complained of pulling one way or the other, for sure the alignment guy would have test drove the truck afterwards to make sure he corrected the problem. Kind of odd he wouldn't have noticed the excessive play, not returning to center when he did so?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,945
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Was an alignment tech for a few years. Pull is usually due to caster, which is also responsible for return to center. However, changing any of the adjustments will not cause play in steering, though it can hide or exacerbate it to some degree. Too much caster will make it harder to turn and want to follow ruts or crown in the road, not enough will make the steering vague, wander, not return to center, and can cause death wobble. You can overtighten the steering box and lose return to center, but that would take up slack not create it.
My interweb diagnosis with the info given is the pull masked the play that was there, or they left something loose. Given the design of the front ends, 2wd or 4wd, the only thing that could really be left loose is tie rod adjusters which sets toe.
My interweb diagnosis with the info given is the pull masked the play that was there, or they left something loose. Given the design of the front ends, 2wd or 4wd, the only thing that could really be left loose is tie rod adjusters which sets toe.
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