Steering adjustment needed...

[Mark_88]

Well, when I reassembled my front end, I thought it was lined up properly but it turns out that the steering wheel is about 15* off (points upward to the right)...just wonder what would be the best approach to correcting this...

1) Remove the steering wheel
2) drop the pitman arm and realign the steering gear...
or
3) there is an adjustment on the lower end of the steering column that comes out of the steering gear box...that looks to be the easiest, but I am concerned about snapping something...

Incidentally, I had replaced the entire column, steering wheel, and steering gear out of my original ranger...the original in this truck was power steering, cruise control and tilt wheel...and it all seemed to fit so nicely...except the trim from the later doesn't fit the former...due to a difference in the thickness of the steering wheel itself...

 

[L454S]

Steering Wheel

If it is assembled correctly, this is something that is done with tie rod adjustments when aligning. 15 degrees is not that much. Moving the pitman arm even 1 notch will give you more than 15 degrees.

 

[4x4junkie]

Correct, readjusting the tierod linkage is the proper way to do it (you can't readjust the column or pitman arm anyways, they are keyed).

 

[Mark_88]

Cool, thanks...

I was a bit reluctant to touch the tie rods because I had just had the front end redone (that's why I swapped it into this truck) with new tie rods and ball joints...and alignment...

Didn't think there would be any difference between the two setups, since I took everything out of the one truck that was already aligned...but if tie rod adjustment will do it, then that would be the way to go....

That may require a trip to a mechanic...and right now funds are limited...so I was hoping to be able to do this myself...

 

[L454S]

Align

To at least get you on the road to the alignment shop without erasing your tires, you can set the toe in with a tape measure. Measure across the front tires (outer thread to outer thread) in front of the tires, then do the same on the back side of the tires. You want the same measurement.

 

[feellnfroggy]

The tires may be alligned properly to track straight, but when you swapped it into another truck it now has to be aligned to that truck if Im not mistaken. It needs to be lined up with the steering wheel and the rear tires so you dont dogleg down teh road. However...........if the toe is aligned properly then the steering wheel position is moot as long as you track straight(excpet for you presonal preference, mine is off and irritates the hell outta me) So you can get to the shop just fine.

As far as your original question, I dont know if you can adjust that thing the way you siad or not, but i got to be part of the conversation so Im good, LOL.

 

[Little Red]

You can turn your tie rods yourself. It seems from your description that if you center the steering wheel you'll actually turn the truck to the right. If I'm bassackwards do the opposite. Both tie rod ends need to be turned to make both tires pointed more to the other direction. Turn them equally 1/4 a turn at a time each and double check your toe -in with the measuring tape.Pass. side goes up to make the wheel go left.Drivers side goes down to make the wheel go left.(to your right if you're looking at the front of the truck) 1/2 turn is a lot so go easy and sneek up on it. I use a 1/8" of toe-in max. You can do this with the wheels on the ground. I do it all the time and you do not have to dissassemble anything. If the adj. sleeves are tight spread them with a stubby screwdriver and you can turn them with your hand or channel locks. Spray some penetrating oil on the threads too.That'll help.Should take less than 15 min.

 

[Mark_88]

You can turn your tie rods yourself. It seems from your description that if you center the steering wheel you'll actually turn the truck to the right. If I'm bassackwards do the opposite. Both tie rod ends need to be turned to make both tires pointed more to the other direction. Turn them equally 1/4 a turn at a time each and double check your toe -in with the measuring tape.Pass. side goes up to make the wheel go left.Drivers side goes down to make the wheel go left.(to your right if you're looking at the front of the truck) 1/2 turn is a lot so go easy and sneek up on it. I use a 1/8" of toe-in max. You can do this with the wheels on the ground. I do it all the time and you do not have to dissassemble anything. If the adj. sleeves are tight spread them with a stubby screwdriver and you can turn them with your hand or channel locks. Spray some penetrating oil on the threads too.That'll help.Should take less than 15 min.

Hmmm...that actually makes sense...you are correct...when steering wheel is centred, the wheels point to the right slightly...

passenger side up, drivers side down...to make the wheel go left...

I might give that a shot...thanks again to all...

The truck does go down the road straight when I drive it, and the wheel is slightly off position to the right...doesn't seem to be any noticeable drag or other alignment issues (I know, you can't really tell when driving...unless you REALLY know your vehicle and something just doesn't feel right)...

 

[Hawk1339]

Several threads on this forum seem to indicate that what I have encountered is not an isolated phenomenon.

I have just replaced my leaking steering gear with a clean but used gearbox, and I too now have the steering wheel off about 45°, mine to the right. I used my original pitman arm, reassembly was carefully checked, yet still it's off.

Otherwise, it is an improvement. The system is quieter, turning is easier and smoother, and a speed related wobble is gone- and no leak. I would think, though, that there shouldn't be that much difference from one steering gear to another.

Anybody have an explanation?

Addendum... Doing the math: a 17:1 turning ratio means that moving the steering wheel 45° would move the pitman arm 2.64°. Not sure how many turns on the tie rod adjusters that would take.