Steering Wheeel Not Set Straight

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Feb 16, 2006 | 10:29 PM

tuekwik

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Steering Wheeel Not Set Straight

The steering wheel on my 1991 F150 is not centered. To have the truck go straight I kinda have to turn the wheel to the right. Anyone know how to fix this? Thanks.

Feb 16, 2006 | 11:19 PM

4.9inline6

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Joined: Oct 2005

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hahahahaha i put my 96 f-250 sideways doing like somewhere between 50 and 70 and hit a curb which turned my steering wheel. now i also have to turn the wheel some to go straight. not sure of how to fix it...any thoughts?

Feb 16, 2006 | 11:47 PM

andym

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Joined: Mar 2002

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From: Bonita Springs FL

tuekwik, you just need an alignment. 4.9inline6, you bent something.

Feb 16, 2006 | 11:50 PM

tuekwik

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Getting a front end alignment will fix this?

Feb 17, 2006 | 12:17 AM

RJPstruck

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Joined: Jan 2006

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From: North Royalton, Ohio

9 out of 10 times, Yes. If there is something wrong with your truck. Whoever does the alignment, will tell you they can't do it because of whatever.

Feb 17, 2006 | 06:15 PM

alz

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2004

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From: Michigan

tuekwik, does the truck steer straight when you let go of the wheel? Or does it pull to one side or the other?

Feb 17, 2006 | 07:09 PM

frederic

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Joined: Oct 2003

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From: New Jersey

Alz, that doesn't mean it's aligned correctly.

I've seen instances where the steering wheel is crooked, yet the truck goes "dead nuts straight", and the alignment is actually way off.

There are alignment shops that seem to like to resolve difficult problems by making one tie rod much shorter than the other. In that case, the truck may still go straight, but the wheel will be quite crooked. And, the truck will turn funny at the locks.

Though I'm easily annoyed by shops that like to do things wrong because they are lazy.

Anyway, the way to fix this is to have an alignment done, *then* pop the berg joint on the steering gearbox, and rotate the steering wheel to straight. Reassemble berg joint and all is well.