Rack & Pinion How To Illustration & Nut Sizes?

[madbrown]

I just got an alignment. So get another? I would think if just got aligned and it's not pulling, however eventually drifting right, that I just temp. live with the steering wheel being off.

 

[waskly]

I just got an alignment. So get another? I would think if just got aligned and it's not pulling, however eventually drifting right, that I just temp. live with the steering wheel being off.

if the wheel is off the alignment is not done correctly.

the wheel should be straight, the truck should drive straight

crown roads are different but on a straight run it should drive straight.

the wheel should be straight, i never seen someone align a vehicle and return it with an off center steering wheel.

that is just horrible and a ripoff.

 

[madbrown]

So I'm thinking of using the string method to try to straighten the wheel. As my other option is to make the 180 mi. round trip again to have another tech try to get it right a second time. So how do I perform this adjustment? Am I adjusting the outer tie rods while the steering wheel is centered?

 

[madbrown]

I also should mention that I would like to hear some last minute opinions on if air trapped in the steering rack could cause the steering wheel to be off? As I mentioned there is some "floating" presenting in the steering.

 

[waskly]

I also should mention that I would like to hear some last minute opinions on if air trapped in the steering rack could cause the steering wheel to be off? As I mentioned there is some "floating" presenting in the steering.

air in steering will give you lack of assist, like that jumping steering wheel it will not affect how the truck drives, straight, pulls etc.

 

[waskly]

So I'm thinking of using the string method to try to straighten the wheel. As my other option is to make the 180 mi. round trip again to have another tech try to get it right a second time. So how do I perform this adjustment? Am I adjusting the outer tie rods while the steering wheel is centered?

using a string you would want to turn the inner tie rod till the toe is straight with the rear of the car, or the tire is perfectly straight as you can get it to the back.

 

[madbrown]

So I can just use a string to line the front and back to each other. Then??

 

[waskly]

So I can just use a string to line the front and back to each other. Then??

yes, but you wont get it on point like the alignment machines, the string works when the alignment is really off.

 

[madbrown]

Is it a matter of adjusting the outer tie rods after that?

 

[waskly]

Is it a matter of adjusting the outer tie rods after that?

yes you turn the inner tie rod. it will pull the wheel (toe) in or out.

 

[madbrown]

I'm guessing if I turn one side one way, then turn the other side opposite, but have equal turns on both sides?

 

[madbrown]

I guess what I'm asking is can the steering wheel be aligned w/o messing w/the actually alignment. I believe the alignment is good, but I'm thinking the tech never straightened the steering wheel when doing the alignment.

 

[waskly]

I guess what I'm asking is can the steering wheel be aligned w/o messing w/the actually alignment. I believe the alignment is good, but I'm thinking the tech never straightened the steering wheel when doing the alignment.

the alignment has to be set to the orientations of the steering wheel.

what that means if you leave the wheel to the left and align the car, it will be with a steering wheel to the left,

the toe is set with orientation to the steering wheel.

its not set with the shaft on the gear box. since that is keyed, and the one on the base of the steering column is also keyed.

 

[madbrown]

So to mess w/the steering wheel means I'm messing w/the alignment.

 

[waskly]

So to mess w/the steering wheel means I'm messing w/the alignment.

mess with the steering wheel?

you mean take it off and on?

if you take the wheel off, steering wheel you should put it back in the same orientation.

as for messing with tire rods, rack yes you will throw the alignment off.

 

[madbrown]

No I meant tie rods, and so it makes sense it will through off the alignment. While driving it the past couple days it seems to track straight for quite some time when I let off the wheel. So I think for the time being I'll live w/the wheel being off center. Now I just need to get the air that's trapped out of the rack.

 

[ketchup_md]

I think the others have made mention of leaving the cap off the power steering pump and turning your steering wheel til it locks left to right several times and refill your fluid to get rid of the air