2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Steering wheel adjustment?

[JFlagg]

About 100,000 miles ago I was out four wheeling with my, then new, '02 CTD. During that escapade I knocked my alignment out. The steering wheel when going straight was turned to about the 1-2 o'clock. After I put my lift kit on and new wheels/tires I had the front end aligned along with new ball joints, it fixed the the problem abit, but I would really like to have the wheel perfect again. I thought about taking it off and seeing if I could just move it or something, but the airbag has me leary of removing the wheel . Has anyone had this problem and had it fixed? What was the remedy?

 

[Joe Mc]

Centering the steering wheel should not be done by bumping splines between the wheel and the steering shaft inside the cab. Nor should it be accomplished by doing the same on the shaft to the box. It should be centered by the adjustable sleeve on the rod from the pitman arm to the drag link. The drag link sleeve sets alignment do not mess with this one. I've recentered my steering wheel by loosening the two sleeve clamps (pitman arm to drag link rod) give the sleeve 1/2 turn, tighten clamps and go for a ride to see how it is. You'll know by this first 1/2 turn which direction to turn the sleeve to get where you want to be. It can be a bit frustraiting figuring it out/dialing it in.



Quite frankly if you had the fron end aligned and it was not centered I'd take it back to the alignment shop and let them complete the job you paid for. Centering the steering wheel is the last step in a good alignment. But, if it's been a while they'll claim you hit something or whatever. So you have an idea on how to do it yourself.



Have fun.

 

[Bob4x4]

The steering wheel is centered with the linkage under the truck not at the steering wheel it is master splined. Go back to your alignment shop it should have been corrected at the time of the alignment.



Bob

 

[JFlagg]

OK, thanks guys. I didn't think the steering wheel splines were the way to adjust it. I didn't even think of the threads on the link from the Pitman arm. As for the shop doing it, its been about 70-80,000 miles, so I doubt they cover it. I'll have it fixed faster than I can drive there anyway. Thanks again.

 

[Makensmoke]

I've dialed mine in with the link they talk about and its a piece of cake... like they said you just have to loosen the clamps, move it a little, tighten and test drive. I can't stand crooked steering wheels so I was all over this when I aquired a crooked wheel too!