Steering Wheel Correction

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Mar 9, 2020 | 08:02 PM

TCNashville

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Mar 2018

Posts: 1,244

Likes: 275

From: South Central Indiana

Steering Wheel Correction

Long story short, my truck got rear ended a ways back and part of the fix the adjuster had them do a 4 wheel alignment. Ever since then the steering wheel is slightly cocked to the right. I thought for a long time I could live with it and I still can but if there's a relatively easy fix for this I'll do it. I believe the alignment is good as the truck tracks straight and true and no adverse tire wear. I've watched a couple of videos on how to do it and it seems I have to rotate that clamp by the tie rod end clockwise [down] to correct the issue. My question is do I have to have the front wheels off the ground and if I do this will another alignment be necessary? Thanks for any input.

Mar 9, 2020 | 08:08 PM

Section179

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Apr 2018

Posts: 1,502

Likes: 166

Front wheels do not have to be off the ground, which is fantastic, because you’ll drive it 1,000 feet and want to tweak it another half turn.

Keep in mind when you turn the clamp you want to grab it in a way that promotes opening the clamp rather than closing. I use a pipe wrench with the wrench hooked just inside the opening of the clamp (not bridging it). Others may recommend a different tool, But I’ve been adjusting super duty steering wheel centers going back to ‘99s all laying in the dirt. Adjusting this will not change caster, camber, or toe in.... so no alignment needed.

Mar 9, 2020 | 08:45 PM

StonedGrey

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jun 2018

Posts: 803

Likes: 103

Yep. ^^^
can be on the ground. No need to lift it off the ground.
Its simple once you figure it out.

Good Luck.

Mar 11, 2020 | 05:02 PM

TCNashville

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Mar 2018

Posts: 1,244

Likes: 275

From: South Central Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by Section179

Well I finally got to it. I watched another video and the guy turned his clamp 2 full turns so I'm thinking 1 full turn ought to do it. Wrong! It was more like 1/4 turn if that and that was the 3rd time I tried it. I PB blasted it yesterday and could almost turn it by hand after loosening the bolts today. You were right, 3rd time I think I nailed it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by StonedGrey

Yep. ^^^
can be on the ground. No need to lift it off the ground.
Its simple once you figure it out.

Good Luck.

It was simple and thank you both very much.