Steering wheel off center

[V-Code Tahoe]

Six months ago I got an alignment on my Tahoe. It tracks straight, doesn't pull, and drives great, and the steering wheel was dead center when driving straight. Recently I noticed a leak in the steering box. I replaced it with a reman that is tight and doesn't leak. WHen I replaced it I was careful to mount the pitman arm in the exact same orientation as on the old box. Despite my care, the steering wheel now is cocked slightly to the left when driving straight.

Is there any way to fix the orientation of the steering wheel without messing with the alignment (which is otherwise perfect)? I know I could try to carefully adjust the tie rods the same number of turns on each side, but I would be afraid if messing up the alignment. Is there any part of the steering column that allows this type of adjustment?

 

[strutaeng]

Not that I'm aware. I would take it back to get an alignment. They'll re-center the steering wheel.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

^^^^^x2^^^^^

 

[nonickatall]

I don't think the alignment is still correct if you've replaced parts on your steering and the steering wheel is now slightly to the left.

However, there is a very simple way to center the steering wheel again.

I always do this after the wheel alignment, as the steering wheel is usually no longer completely straight after the measurement. To do this, simply loosen the nuts on the tie rods.

Mark the current setting with a white felt-tip pen. Then simply turn the tie rods a quarter turn in the correct direction.

Of course, you have to pay attention to the correct direction.

If the steering wheel is slightly to the left, for example, it means the wheels are too far to the right. The right wheel is, in a sense, balanced by the left wheel.

The right tie rod must be screwed in so that the wheel moves further to the left, and the left tie rod must be unscrewed so that it also moves further to the left. Make exactly a quarter turn, tighten it again, drive a bit, and see how much the whole thing has changed.

You can then repeat this process or make a half turn if the adjustment is still too far off.

With a little trial and error and consistent adjustment, you will achieve an absolutely precise center position without changing the alignment.

And by the way, what is really important is that your steering gearbix is absolutely parallel to the imaginary axis of the wheel axle.

If, to put it bluntly, the steering gear is very crooked, then the following happens: The tie rods are bent downward when the vehicle is sitting normally on its wheels. When the vehicle compresses, the toe changes equally on both sides.
However, if the steering gear is installed crooked, the toe changes differently on the right and left. This causes the vehicle to start to drive unsteadily over bumps. I don't think that's a problem at our trucks.

But at older BMW, it used to be a huge problem; many workshops couldn't get it set up properly...