Adjusting Steering Wheel???
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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Adjusting Steering Wheel???
Does anyone know if you can adjust the centering of the steering wheel? I don't have an alignment problem the truck drives straight as an arrow but my steering wheel isn't level, it looks like I'm turning the truck slightly to the left. Again, this isn't an alignment problem, I can let go of the wheel and the truck still travels straight ahead. I don't want to have to pay for an alignment just to fix the steering wheel, I was hoping this can be done without messing with the alignment of the wheels. Thanks for anyone's input....
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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The only way I know to do it is to adjust the tie rods on both sides. You will want to lengthen the tie rod on the passenger's side and shorten the one on the driver's side by the exact same amount. I agree that if it's under waranty, have it done at the dealer. If it's not, you might as well give it a try. If you mess it up, you can always take it in for an alignment. Good luck.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Marion, VA
You may or may not need to do anything. Roads are crowned in the middle (higher in the center so the water will drain off) and that can make you think you have a problem because you have to have it turned slightly to the left to keep it straight. Drive it on many different roads to see if you do actuallly have a problem. My F150, Town Car and Escape all do this. The Escape has never been aligned in 92,000+ miles, the Lincoln was aligned 7,000 miles ago and the F150 has 7,000 miles on it.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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The sterring wheel centering is part of the overall alignment specs, any good alignment shop can center your wheel, better yet, take it to the dealer and make them do it under warrenty, chances are if the wheel is off center you probally have other alignment issues too. The factory specs are at best, "in the ball park"
New User
Joined: Sep 2005
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Hi Kurious,
Check out my post about centering steering wheel. You may still have a problem that you are not aware of. In time you may notice tire wear on the inner or outter edge. This is caused by wrong camber settings.
Because the camber was off which threw the steering wheel off,
and that the toe may have been adjusted to compensate for this,
you may seem to have centered steering wheel but it is at the cost of camber which is off. This will give you tire wear in time.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/showthread.php
t=400377&highlight=wheel+alignment
Mind you, this may not be your case, but it was my nightmare.
Check out my post about centering steering wheel. You may still have a problem that you are not aware of. In time you may notice tire wear on the inner or outter edge. This is caused by wrong camber settings.
Because the camber was off which threw the steering wheel off,
and that the toe may have been adjusted to compensate for this,
you may seem to have centered steering wheel but it is at the cost of camber which is off. This will give you tire wear in time.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/showthread.php
t=400377&highlight=wheel+alignment
Mind you, this may not be your case, but it was my nightmare.
