83 ranger steering wheel

[coolen]

When my ranger was built, the alignment shop said that the wheels were within spec, but the steering wheel is off. Apparently they couldn't fix it- I know ..hard to believe.

Anyways, I pulled the wheel off to see if I could straighten it- nope. there are 2 slots that the wheel can sit in. is there an easy way to do this without cutting the center circle out of the wheel itself and welding it where I need it?

thanks

 

[adsm08]

The proper way to fix the issue is to find an alignment shop with a guy that has a clue and go there.

The guy who looked at yours didn't know what he was doing, said eff it, turned the wheels until it looked good to the computer, and then said it was good.

 

[bulrid8]

Loosen the adjuster sleeve off the Pittman arm. Rotate till wheel is straight. Will not affect alignment in anyway.
That is what the shop should have done, when they were finished.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

 

[JoshT]

That won't affect alignment, but are there steering stops built into the steering box?

I honestly don't know if they have stops built in or if its just at the pittman arm or out at the wheels. My thought is if there are stops built into the box then it would limit the amount of steering in one direction while allowing too much in the other. If I'm way off base here then I feel stupid for driving around in my 84 for years with the steering wheel off center.

 

[coolen]

I agree that who ever did the alignment didn't understand the process. That is a good question though...are there stops built into the steering box?

thanks for the replies!!

 

[adsm08]

There are stops in the box. When being replaced a new box must be centered by turning it to one stop, going back the other way and counting, and then going in the first direction 1/2 of the way.

It is possible to get things out of whack and have 3 turns in one direction, and only 1 in the other, but the wheels go straight. It makes the wheel feel really weird going straight, because the pump is pushing on the power valve.

My advice is to try and find your steering center, basically turn it to one lock, then come back two turns, and see where your steering wheel is vs your steering wheels.