95 Chev K3500

[Makensmoke]

Tinkering on a company truck with a crooked steering wheel. On my Dodge its a simple turn of the sleeve on the drag link. No sleeve on this Chevy. Anybody know the trick to turn the crooked wheel to the center again?



(It was ram and smashed a year ago, fixed, but returned with a crooked wheel, alignment seems fine)

 

[Gene Heck]

With the wheels straight ahead you have to adjust both of the tie rod adjusting sleeves to cause the center link to move over to center the steering box. You will be lengthening one side and shortening the other. Note the exact amount that you rotate the first one and adjust the second the same amount and the toe will stay where its at. Example, if you lengthen one say 1 5/8 turns, shorten the other side by the same amount.



Don't forget to check the idler arm bushings for wear first.

 

[Makensmoke]

I was afraid of that. Looking underneith I saw that option, but was hoping to not have to get that friendly with the alignment. I'll have to make sure to keep them the same. Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it!

 

[Gene Heck]

It's really really not that bad to do. As I said before the wheels have to be straight ahead. Do this by driving into the shop and don't touch the steering wheel as the truck will straighten the front wheels itself. When you stop the truck the amount you have to adjust will be the amount the steering wheel is off by. I don't remember how your steering parts are exactly laid out, so do this, lengthen the right tie rod sleeve 1 full turn and shorten the left 1 full turn. If the steering wheel is going in the correct direction just adjust until it is at 12 o'clock as it should be. If it is going in the wrong direction just take out the 1 turn you gave both tie rod adjusters to start with and go the other way. If the toe was right to start with and you move both of the adjusters by the same amount the toe will not change. Don't be suprised after you are done and you take it out in the lot for a little test run that you have to bring it back in for just a little more fine adjustment.



Check all the tie rod ends, pitman arm, and idler arm for wear first.

 

[Makensmoke]

Thanks again, would you believe me if I told you the truck has 46k on it? When I was under there greasing and snooping around I was impressed by how new everything looks, i'm used to being under my 200k+ mile Dodge, this thing is like new! (still, i'd take my 1/2 wore out Dodge over this fresh Chev... 6. 5... . (gag) diesel)