steering wheel alignment?

5.0Torx · Jul 19, 2008

hey guys

i posted a similar thread a while ago, this is sort of an update. I just took my car to the shop to get the steering wheel realigned. It is currently 90 degrees to the right to drive straight. Firestone blew me off under the premiss that they dont want to be liable for non-stock parts. Pretty pissed at that BS, but at this point i dont care.

Whats the best way to realign the wheel? Do i pull the wheel, or go for something further down the works?

TIA

87coupe50 · Jul 19, 2008

I just did mine a couple days ago. Steering wheel was about a 1/8th turn to the right.

Straighten the steering wheel. You have to adjust the wheels in the direction that the steering wheel was off (if it was off to the right then you have to adjust your wheels to the right, right wheel tie-rod OUT, left wheel tie-rod IN) I had to pull the front wheels in order to get at the cotter pins on the tie-rods. Basicaly I removed the cotter pin/nut on top of the tie-rod and used a pickle fork to remove the joint. loosened the lock nut on the inside of the tie rod and then turned the tie-rod accordingly. install the tie-rod back in the knuckle (except for tightening the bolt and inserting the cotter pin)and put the wheel back on and snugged the lugs. Put the weight of the car back on the wheel and use a string from the rear of the rear tire pulled taunt across the front wheel to make sure it was straight. do the other side and you should be good to go once you tighten the nuts and replace the cotter pins.

Not sure if there are any other ways to do it, but it worked great for mine. Steering wheel is straight and it tracks straight down the road.

4G-KDMP · Jul 19, 2008

87coupe50 said:
I just did mine a couple days ago. Steering wheel was about a 1/8th turn to the right.

Straighten the steering wheel. You have to adjust the wheels in the direction that the steering wheel was off (if it was off to the right then you have to adjust your wheels to the right, right wheel tie-rod OUT, left wheel tie-rod IN) I had to pull the front wheels in order to get at the cotter pins on the tie-rods. Basicaly I removed the cotter pin/nut on top of the tie-rod and used a pickle fork to remove the joint. loosened the lock nut on the inside of the tie rod and then turned the tie-rod accordingly. install the tie-rod back in the knuckle (except for tightening the bolt and inserting the cotter pin)and put the wheel back on and snugged the lugs. Put the weight of the car back on the wheel and use a string from the rear of the rear tire pulled taunt across the front wheel to make sure it was straight. do the other side and you should be good to go once you tighten the nuts and replace the cotter pins.

Not sure if there are any other ways to do it, but it worked great for mine. Steering wheel is straight and it tracks straight down the road.

Same thing I was told, and I've read more than once

5.0Torx · Jul 20, 2008

let me see if i understand what youre saying, so you just straightened the wheel and turned the tie rod ends to straighten the wheels back out?

If that be the case, my alignment guy said he tried that and ran out of threads on the tie rod shafts. He suggested i try to pull the wheel and realign that.

87coupe50 · Jul 20, 2008

has the steering gear ever been replaced? if it was, maybe it was not centered when they connected the steering shaft. Thats the only thing I can think of as to why you would run out of tie rod end. - straighten the wheels then turn the steering wheel to each side lock and count the rotations of the steering wheel from center to lock. They should be equal on each side.

I've never taken the steering wheel off, so I don't know if it can be adjusted.

5.0Torx · Jul 21, 2008

i dont know, its a bit of a P.O. mess. It was in an accident. But i havent messed with the steering since i got it and before, when it was 4 lug, it was an equal 1.5 turns center - to - lock either direction.

I think im gonna just have to get in and see what happens

steering wheel alignment?

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