steering wheel

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Dec 12, 2007 | 08:54 PM

dog150

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Joined: Dec 2007

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steering wheel

Does any body know how to straighten a steering wheel on a 92 F150 without screwing up the tierod alignment?
It's sitting about 11 o'clock. Took the wheel off hoping to just move over a cog but it has flat spot on spleen so only goes on one position.
any advice would be appreciated. thanx Dave

Dec 12, 2007 | 10:50 PM

88F-150pimp

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No, you'll probably have to adjust the tie rod ends, unless your steering box is really worn out, which is a definite possibility with these trucks.

Dec 12, 2007 | 11:09 PM

89frankenford

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From: Southern New Hampshire

on the old chevy's it was possible to just rotate the wheel. on yours you have to get t aligned

Dec 13, 2007 | 03:20 AM

TheRoadVirus

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From: Orangeville, Ontario

There you go again, franken.. preaching chevys again. Lol, jk.

Dec 13, 2007 | 08:25 AM

dixokai

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Joined: Nov 2007

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From: Southeast Idaho

I just looked under mine and there isn't any adjustment for the wheel. If I needed to center it I would have to turn the couplings on each tie rod end. mine is a 90 F250 so there may be a difference. If you do it Make sure you turn both couplings an equal amount and then check your tow angle but it shouldn't change if you turn both sides the same amount.

Dec 13, 2007 | 09:47 AM

phoneman91

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From: Aurora,Colorado

Check for loose steering before adjusting the tie rod ends. If the steering wheel has lots of play--check and see if there is play in the outer and inner tie rod ends. If there is play--replace the tie rod ends and then get an alignment and make sure that the shop aligns the steering wheel. It is surprising that a lot of shops dont see to care if the steering wheel is straight before aligning the front wheels.

Dec 13, 2007 | 09:52 AM

frederic

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From: New Jersey

You're right, there is no clocking adjustment between the steering wheel and the gearbox, and re-aligning the truck by lengthening one tie rod and shorting the other creates other problems such as decreasing the turning radius in one direction.

The answer is to disassemble the steering gearbox and reclock the input gear in relationship to the steering wheels rotation "off-ness". How's that for a new word?

While you have the box apart, it's a good time to clean it out, replace gaskets and seals, and so forth.

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Dec 13, 2007 | 10:03 AM

netscaner

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Joined: May 2007

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From: Solon, Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by frederic

While you have the box apart, it's a good time to clean it out, replace gaskets and seals, and so forth.

Being that his wheel sits at the 11 oclock position which is actually a minor travel of the steering box and arm, I seriously doubt steering radius problems.

I also doubt the wheel off-centering is caused by the gearbox,..........but was caused by a sloppy alignment mechanic when realigning or changing tie rod ends in the past.

As long as he turns both left and right end sleeves the same amount within a quarter to a half turn, he should not need a new alignment.