Drivetrain Tech General discussion of drivetrain for the Ford Ranger.

Alignment? Steering wheel crooked?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 09-23-2009
stevev88's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: north van, BC
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Alignment? Steering wheel crooked?

For the past while iv noticed in order for my truck to stay in a straight line the steering wheel needs to be clocked a few degrees to the right. I just had the vehicle aligned when I prekeyed the truck (I didnt tell them bout the steering wheel just figured it would be fixed when aligned) and that didnt fix it. The truck doesnt wander all over the rode like its out of alignment but the steering just cant sit symetrical and go straight.

Anyone else have this problem or know whats going on? Suggestions?I just wannamake sure this isnt anything major before I lift the truck. I still have warantee and dont want them to deny me warentee if I bring it in after the lift and it turns out to be something major.

Thanks as always
Steve
 
  #2  
Old 09-23-2009
08XLT4x4's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: bomba shack
Posts: 3,257
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
did the alignment shop test drive it? if not, ya gotta tell them about it!
 
  #3  
Old 09-23-2009
Smakes's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: nowhere
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
yea ive got the same problem but mine is to the left... i need to get the steering wheel reset
 
  #4  
Old 09-23-2009
evilclown312's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Logan ohio
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Mine too.. I think its a ford thing lol. My truck does it. My gen2 is HORRIBLE my dads 04 F250 Superduty did it. So idk. Mine in my 99 isnt that bad but i wouldnt mind knowing what causes it.
 
  #5  
Old 09-23-2009
gotmud?'s Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: avon park florida
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
mine also is tilted to the right after my lift but when i put the pitman arm on theres onl;y one way to install it so idk
 
  #6  
Old 09-23-2009
01_ranger_4x4's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Muskegon, Michigan
Posts: 3,585
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 2 Posts
yeah mines not centered perfectly after my alignment either. no big deal
 
  #7  
Old 09-23-2009
cchsbuzz19's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: North Canton, Ohio
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Mine was like this. I took it back and the guy at the alignment shop said their was to much tow, He didn't get it perfectly centered but its alot better and more tolerable.
 
  #8  
Old 11-19-2009
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Hartford, WI
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by evilclown312
Mine too.. I think its a ford thing lol. My truck does it. My gen2 is HORRIBLE my dads 04 F250 Superduty did it. So idk. Mine in my 99 isnt that bad but i wouldnt mind knowing what causes it.
It isnt a ford thing! It all has to do with alignment! It could either be the toe needs to be readjusted to get the wheel back to center, or caster is off from specs, it could be a number of adjustments. Alignments arent easy! Gotta give a good aligner credit! I worked on mine with a tech at work and hes supposedly one of the best guys at this and my wheel is not centered.....what are you to do but try the alignment again (hopefully free of charge)
 
  #9  
Old 11-19-2009
Seb_L's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Ya mine is like that, gets annoying... Gotta get it aligned
 
  #10  
Old 11-19-2009
bergs's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Arizona Bay
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If your wheel is crooked after the alignment then the alignment wasn't done properly. The tech likely started the procedure with the wheel crooked and didn't realize it. Have the shop make it right or ask for your money back.
 
  #11  
Old 11-20-2009
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Hartford, WI
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
When setting toe, you put a chock inside the vehicle to lock the steering wheel straight, then set each tie rod to spec. So you cant start that procedure w/o locking the wheel...
 
  #12  
Old 11-20-2009
bergs's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Arizona Bay
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by backwoodsmudders
When setting toe, you put a chock inside the vehicle to lock the steering wheel straight, then set each tie rod to spec. So you cant start that procedure w/o locking the wheel...
Right, but if you lock the wheel when it's crooked, the entire procedure is based off that. The vehicle will fly straight as an arrow and everything is within spec, just with a crooked wheel. Trust me on this.

 
  #13  
Old 11-20-2009
S1att3r's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Emory, TX
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by backwoodsmudders
When setting toe, you put a chock inside the vehicle to lock the steering wheel straight, then set each tie rod to spec. So you cant start that procedure w/o locking the wheel...
some of the newer alignment machines dont require you to lock the wheel. they compensate for the wheel turning while your adjusting the tierods. (dont ask me how i never undersood it. aint technology great)
 
  #14  
Old 11-20-2009
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Hartford, WI
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Yes sir bergs...you are right.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Walker65
Exterior Semi-Tech
17
06-14-2015 11:08 AM
sgalka91
General Ford Ranger Discussion
9
11-27-2009 08:48 PM
edge186
General Technical & Electrical
9
10-14-2008 08:34 PM
smash_lizard
General Ford Ranger Discussion
8
04-30-2008 09:44 AM



Quick Reply: Alignment? Steering wheel crooked?



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:06 PM.