Steering Wheel off Center
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 151
Likes: 30
Steering Wheel off Center
1994 F150 4x4.
I replaced the drag link on my truck, took care to count and mark the rotations so that it comes close to the original settings.
After I replaced everything, I noticed i completed the work with the steering wheel turned to the right at the 1 o clock position!
I test drive and I have to hold the steering wheel at the 3 o clock position to go straight. If I turn the steering wheel to 12 o clock(center) the vehicle darts sharply to the left.
I took it for an alignment today and the steering wheel at the 2 o clock position makes the vehicle track straight, so a little better.
Do I need to take it back to get the tierods adjusted? or will the drag link need to be disconnected at the pitman arm, steering wheel centered and then reconnected then aligned?
OR
Did the tech just not center the steering wheel when doing the alignment?
Disconnecting the steering shaft is NOT the solution as it does not correct the issue.
I replaced the drag link on my truck, took care to count and mark the rotations so that it comes close to the original settings.
After I replaced everything, I noticed i completed the work with the steering wheel turned to the right at the 1 o clock position!
I test drive and I have to hold the steering wheel at the 3 o clock position to go straight. If I turn the steering wheel to 12 o clock(center) the vehicle darts sharply to the left.
I took it for an alignment today and the steering wheel at the 2 o clock position makes the vehicle track straight, so a little better.
Do I need to take it back to get the tierods adjusted? or will the drag link need to be disconnected at the pitman arm, steering wheel centered and then reconnected then aligned?
OR
Did the tech just not center the steering wheel when doing the alignment?
Disconnecting the steering shaft is NOT the solution as it does not correct the issue.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 481
Likes: 93
Line the pitman arm front-to-rear and this should put your steering wheel on center. If not. The problem is between the pitman arm and the steering wheel (unlikely).
Once you have that in position, adjust your drag links. Ball joints can play a part here also, but you didn't say you messed with them.
A pro suspension guy should be able to figure this out.
Once you have that in position, adjust your drag links. Ball joints can play a part here also, but you didn't say you messed with them.
A pro suspension guy should be able to figure this out.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 151
Likes: 30
The alignment was all good prior to replacing the drag links. Only thing changed was the drag link.
I did this because my steering has wandered for quite some time. All parts on the front end are new.
I suppose good news is, even though the steering wheel is crooked, the wandering feel going down the road has improved vastly. I’d say 80%.
I did this because my steering has wandered for quite some time. All parts on the front end are new.
I suppose good news is, even though the steering wheel is crooked, the wandering feel going down the road has improved vastly. I’d say 80%.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,569
Likes: 2,677
From: Near Salt Lake City
Take it back to the alignment shop
Tell them the clear vision is off (steering wheel not centered)
That's what you paid for
Have the guy reset the toe and correct for clear vision to the gauges at the same time
Tell them the clear vision is off (steering wheel not centered)
That's what you paid for
Have the guy reset the toe and correct for clear vision to the gauges at the same time
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,861
Likes: 1,042
I have never used or heard anyone use the term 'clear vision'. If you go to the alignment shop and tell them that, they probably would look at you cross eyed.
Communication is the key to get your problem resolved. Tell them your steering wheel is off, take a picture, and show them the picture. I no longer do alignments so when I send them out for my clients, the first thing I do when I get it back to the shop is to set the steering wheel straight. Nobody seems to do road tests anymore and most really do not care if the steering wheel is off or not. I do and I don't want my clients tell me it's off. That is why I set it right before I deliver the car. Nobody complains about jobs that are done right.
Communication is the key to get your problem resolved. Tell them your steering wheel is off, take a picture, and show them the picture. I no longer do alignments so when I send them out for my clients, the first thing I do when I get it back to the shop is to set the steering wheel straight. Nobody seems to do road tests anymore and most really do not care if the steering wheel is off or not. I do and I don't want my clients tell me it's off. That is why I set it right before I deliver the car. Nobody complains about jobs that are done right.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,601
Likes: 5,629
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
if you paid for a front end alignment, the steering wheel should be in the proper position going straight. if it is off, you did not get what you paid for. talk to the shop owner explaining the problem and your concerns. basically put whoever did the alignment did not do it correctly.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 151
Likes: 30
I’m going back this morning, I called and they told me to bring it back. I said I would like the tech to ride along with me so I can show them.
they did not test drive it after it supposedly was aligned.
they did not test drive it after it supposedly was aligned.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,569
Likes: 2,677
From: Near Salt Lake City
I have never used or heard anyone use the term 'clear vision'. If you go to the alignment shop and tell them that, they probably would look at you cross eyed.
Communication is the key to get your problem resolved. Tell them your steering wheel is off, take a picture, and show them the picture. I no longer do alignments so when I send them out for my clients, the first thing I do when I get it back to the shop is to set the steering wheel straight. Nobody seems to do road tests anymore and most really do not care if the steering wheel is off or not. I do and I don't want my clients tell me it's off. That is why I set it right before I deliver the car. Nobody complains about jobs that are done right.
Communication is the key to get your problem resolved. Tell them your steering wheel is off, take a picture, and show them the picture. I no longer do alignments so when I send them out for my clients, the first thing I do when I get it back to the shop is to set the steering wheel straight. Nobody seems to do road tests anymore and most really do not care if the steering wheel is off or not. I do and I don't want my clients tell me it's off. That is why I set it right before I deliver the car. Nobody complains about jobs that are done right.
The alignment man should know that or go somewhere else
They left his steering wheel off center after the alignment, that should tell you something
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 151
Likes: 30
The place is called SUN AUTO in Las Vegas. They have 5 star reviews on Carfax and 5 stars on google reviews, HOWEVER I always take that with a heavy dose of salt.
90% of the people that visit these shops know next to nothing about their vehicles, so as long as the counter people are friendly they think they received good work LOL
So whenever I visit these shops, I'm almost always dissapointed.
90% of the people that visit these shops know next to nothing about their vehicles, so as long as the counter people are friendly they think they received good work LOL
So whenever I visit these shops, I'm almost always dissapointed.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,601
Likes: 5,629
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
the fact that the person you talked to said to bring it back is good. i am sure they will take care of it.
it may very well have just been a simple mistake that someone overlooked, but i always used to check steering wheel centering whenever i touched a front end BEFORE it left the front alignment rack.
it may very well have just been a simple mistake that someone overlooked, but i always used to check steering wheel centering whenever i touched a front end BEFORE it left the front alignment rack.
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Oct 25, 2011 02:02 PM