Can't straighten my steering wheel!!

[benevolentelephant]

Hi There -

 

Here's a job I thought would be simple, turns out it hasn't been!

 

I bought my Comanche a few weeks back: a 2wd Sportruck. I'm pleased with it, but annoyingly the steering wheel is not at the 'straight ahead' position when the wheels are straight.

 

SO: I got a hub puller, and removed the steering wheel.

 

PROBLEM! The terminal for the horn button sticks through a hole in the steering lock's ocking ring, and means I can't line up the steering wheel in any different position to the one it's already in.

 

So how do I readjust the wheel? Do I have to take off the middle shaft at the UJ or something?

 

Any help appreciated!

Bruce

[jtdesigns]

Hi There -

 

Here's a job I thought would be simple, turns out it hasn't been!

 

I bought my Comanche a few weeks back: a 2wd Sportruck. I'm pleased with it, but annoyingly the steering wheel is not at the 'straight ahead' position when the wheels are straight.

 

SO: I got a hub puller, and removed the steering wheel.

 

PROBLEM! The terminal for the horn button sticks through a hole in the steering lock's ocking ring, and means I can't line up the steering wheel in any different position to the one it's already in.

 

So how do I readjust the wheel? Do I have to take off the middle shaft at the UJ or something?

 

Any help appreciated!

Bruce

 

I would think you could do it by removing the wheel.....hummm.. I know an alignment shop can do it by adjusting the toe- in/out

[mjeff87]

first off, with an unknown maintenence history I'd consider an alignment, or a thorough going-over of the front end. Once all is in check, you can recenter your steering wheel via the adjusting collar on the drag link. Looking under the front end at the bottom of the steering box, there is a pittman arm attached to it that connects to the drag link. At the upper end of it, there is a clamshell sleeve secured by two bolts/nuts. Loosen the two nuts, then spin the sleeve to lengthen or shorten the DL which in turn repositions the steering wheel....spinning it clockwise (if you are looking from the driverside) will rotate the steering wheel shaft anti-clockwise, and visa-versa. Once the wheel is centered, tighten the nuts back up.

 

HTH,

 

Jeff

 

edit: here's a pic of the basic frontend.....the adjusting sleeve is right next to the "drag link" picture tag.

 

Image Not Found

[TNT]

You adjust the drag link to center the steering wheel. It won't affect the toe setting.

[benevolentelephant]

Just to say a big thanks for this advice: it took me 20 minutes to line it up and now it's great.

 

Happy new year!

Bruce

[camjeep3]

thanks here to, my wheel needs to be straightened badly

[summerinmaine]

Ditto.

 

The DPO of my manche lifted it 4" and didn't bother to re-center the steering. The steering wheel was 180 degrees out of position, and the lock-to-lock reflected this. Five minutes re-setting the drag link was all it took.

[jpdriver1]

thanks here to, my wheel needs to be straightened badly

 

me too