front end alignment question
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Senior User
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From: B'ville, WV
front end alignment question
I just had all new ball joints, fronts shocks, front bearings (inner and outer) installed Feb 26th. I got a front end alignment done this past Saturday morning. I noticed this morning, not sure why not sooner, that my steering wheel is not turned straight anymore..I just mean that it looks like the steering wheel is turned already. I'm sure it appeared straight before. Could this have happened during the alignment? Anything to "worry" about? Other than my #@%& steering wheel looks like I am turning. 
Rich
2000 4.2,5spd,2WD
Rich
2000 4.2,5spd,2WD
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 452
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A misaligned steering wheel is nothing to worry about. The shop should have fixed this following your alignment. Oh well, it is very easy to fix.
1. Crawl under you truck and locate the steering gearbox attached to the frame.
2. Now locate the tie-rod that connects the gearbox to the rest of the steering components.
3. Make adjustments to re-center your steering wheel. It usually takes a little trial and error because it is difficult to tell if the tires are really pointed straight ahead when you do this. This will not affect your alignment. It will only change the position of the steering wheel.
4. Tighten everything back up and you are good to go.
1. Crawl under you truck and locate the steering gearbox attached to the frame.
2. Now locate the tie-rod that connects the gearbox to the rest of the steering components.
3. Make adjustments to re-center your steering wheel. It usually takes a little trial and error because it is difficult to tell if the tires are really pointed straight ahead when you do this. This will not affect your alignment. It will only change the position of the steering wheel.
4. Tighten everything back up and you are good to go.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2004
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From: B'ville, WV
Cool, thanks.
I wonder how it became misaligned to start with. I'm positive it has always been centered. Would they have had to mess with it during the alignment. The only thing they said was everything was nice and tight, no loose or worn parts. They did ask if I had hit something in the road hard due to the driver's side being out so much. If it is standard practice for the shop to make sure that is straight, then I may call and have them do it. (Firestone) $65 was too much for a front end alignment anyway.
>>>> Firestone service centers.
Thanks again,
Rich
I wonder how it became misaligned to start with. I'm positive it has always been centered. Would they have had to mess with it during the alignment. The only thing they said was everything was nice and tight, no loose or worn parts. They did ask if I had hit something in the road hard due to the driver's side being out so much. If it is standard practice for the shop to make sure that is straight, then I may call and have them do it. (Firestone) $65 was too much for a front end alignment anyway.
>>>> Firestone service centers.Thanks again,
Rich
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 452
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I can’t speak for your area, but shops around here always re-center the wheel if it’s needed. As to how it got off in the first place, they probably adjusted the toe-in alignment and that will almost always change the position of the steering wheel.
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