Steering wheel slightly off

[terrapin69]

Just had the following work done on my 03 Explorer:

1. Tire Rotation

2. Replaced Wheel stud am and lug nut am

3. Replaced rear strut assemblies

4. Replaced left front upper control arm, lower ball joint and sway bar

Car tracks straight with no pull - But the steering wheel is sitting to the left (the Ford logo) just slightly.

Is this an easy self-fix or another cause?

 

[FordFool2]

With the new control arms they may have done a front end alignment. During an alignment it is important that the steering wheel is straight position. Otherwise you can get what you described. If they did not do an alignment, then get one done and the steering wheel will be corrected.

 

[Exproblems]

Car tracks straight with no pull - But the steering wheel is sitting to the left (the Ford logo) just slightly.

Is this an easy self-fix or another cause?

You need to get a wheel alignment done which includes setting the steering wheel in a level, square position. When driving down a straight road, your steering wheel should be level and square if your alignment is set correctly. If a wheel alignment was done after the new parts were installed, they failed to set the steering wheel level in accordance to the wheel alignment they did. If the latter is the case, take it back to them and have them re-do the alignment and set the steering wheel correctly.

 

[terrapin69]

Tie rod slightly off... Fixed in 10 minutes

 

[imp]

Tie rod slightly off... Fixed in 10 minutes

Of course! If one loosens the outer rod end clamps opn both sides, and knowing which direction of rotation of the loosened sleeve lengthens that rod, that change will move the wheel outward. The opposite must be done on the other side (move wheel inward), so that toe-in remains unchanged.

The trick is to figure out in advance, which way to move the wheels, to wind up with the steering wheel aligned properly.

If the steering wheel sits slightly right when moving forward in a straight line, move both front wheels right just a bit, then check the results. It does not take much. Don't forget to tighten those clamps! imp