Steering Wheel Off Center
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Junior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Tucson
Steering Wheel Off Center
After the front end work I had done recently, (Drag link / PS box, 2wd 78 f150), the steering wheel is not centered. The truck doesn't pull or drift, but the wheel is not centered.
I want to put the steering wheel back center. I am thinking of either pull the wheel off and putting back or else trying to make this change at the rag joint and do the rag joint while at it.
Any input or better ideas? I am going to get the front end realigned when I put on some 31x10.50s so I am thinking I may just wait.
Any suggestions either way, if I decide to fix at the wheel or the rag joint?
Mike
I want to put the steering wheel back center. I am thinking of either pull the wheel off and putting back or else trying to make this change at the rag joint and do the rag joint while at it.
Any input or better ideas? I am going to get the front end realigned when I put on some 31x10.50s so I am thinking I may just wait.
Any suggestions either way, if I decide to fix at the wheel or the rag joint?
Mike
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,238
Likes: 21
From: Northern Illinois
The rag joint is splined so it will only go on 1 way. I think on your truck pulling the wheel and repositioning would work, all splines are the same. Some steering column shaft's where the wheel mount's are also setup with a wider spline to not move the steering wheel off center. Don't even bother with the pitman arm, I believe those are also splined for 1 way on only.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 413
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From: Enid, OK
Drive the truck onto a level surface making sure that the truck is driving straight ahead. Then take the steering wheel off-requires a puller-and reposition the steering wheel to where it is centered. That should fix it.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 767
Likes: 1
From: Franklin, GA
If you are going to do more work to the steering linkage in the near future, I'd just wait and let the alignment shop straighten it out for you then. Just let them know in advance that it concerns you. If you pull the steering wheel and relocate it you'll be altering the truck's true center of steering lock to lock. Whoever did the previous linkage work should have centered everything up before letting you have the truck back. That was a "pet peeve" of mine when I use to do alignments.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 461
Likes: 1
From: b.c. canada
Originally Posted by hdgapeach
If you are going to do more work to the steering linkage in the near future, I'd just wait and let the alignment shop straighten it out for you then. Just let them know in advance that it concerns you. If you pull the steering wheel and relocate it you'll be altering the truck's true center of steering lock to lock. Whoever did the previous linkage work should have centered everything up before letting you have the truck back. That was a "pet peeve" of mine when I use to do alignments.
Agreed,
on my 85 the steering wheel spline would only fit in 2 spots. the earlier ones might not be like that.
dont quote me on this but i think if the center of alignment gets too far off you can damage the power steering box
the proper way is too adjust the tie rod end sleeves..
-gbm-
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Apple Valley CA USA
Also remember that steering boxes are made with an internal high point for center and if the wheel is not straight that means the steering box is not properly centered and can have an effect of wear and driveability. If the front end was aligned and they got it off center take it back and have them fix it. If you did it then take it to a shop and have them adjust the toe and correct the problem. Most shops charge about 1/2 hour time for a toe adjustment. Hawkrod
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 0
From: Annapolis,MD.
79-older F-series and 88-older E-series only had 1 adjustment sleeve in the steering linkage,the only way to straighten the wheel is to pull-it off and re-install.75-87 E-series can be changed to the 88-91 style which gives 2 sleeves to allow for centering of wheel,unfortunately you can't do that on the F's.
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