Steering wheel straight

davegnh
davegnh Expert Adviser
edited November -1 in HUDSON
HI everyone, the steering wheel in my Jet is not centered, I need to keep it to one side to keep the car going straight.



Can I adjust the tie rods to correct this? If I move both sides the same amount I can I bring this back to center? I don't need perfect but would like to get it closer than it is. Will this work? Thanks for the input--Dave

Comments

  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    You can re-locate the wheel on the spline.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    davegnh1 wrote:
    HI everyone, the steering wheel in my Jet is not centered, I need to keep it to one side to keep the car going straight.



    Can I adjust the tie rods to correct this? If I move both sides the same amount I can I bring this back to center? I don't need perfect but would like to get it closer than it is. Will this work? Thanks for the input--Dave
    Look for a notch at the top of the steering shaft, that tells you that the box is on center. Put the notch at 6 o'clock and install the steering wheel so spokes are at 9 and 3. Now have the front end toe in set with the wheel locked at 9 and 3. Front end places have a tool that rest on the seat and locks wheel in set position. Then they adjust each tie rod to specs. Going straight, wheel set at 9 to 3.
  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    Hi Dave



    I agree with Walt. Following his advice will keep the steering wheel and the gear box in phase.



    When you say you need to keep the steering wheel to one side to keep the car going straight, leads me to believe the car is drifting to one side. Then you have to compensate by turning the wheel slightly.



    On a level road, will the car drive straight when you take your hands off the wheel, or does it drift? If it drifts, you may have a problem. Here are some procedures I used to diagnose this problem when doing a wheel alignment.



    1. Check tire pressure. One or more tires may have low pressure.

    2. Check for worn suspension parts.

    3. If tire pressure is ok, I switch front tires. LF to RF and RF to LF. If the car drifts in the opposite direction then problem is isolated to the tires. In most cases this indicates the beginning of tire tread seperation or bad tire wear, but usually tread seperation.

    4. If the car continues to drift in the same direction after switching tires and there are no worn suspension parts, then it is time for a wheel alignment. Sometimes I would bring the rear tires to the front, if the tread wear is smooth before doing the alignment. Just for my own satifaction, to double check, that there is no tire problem.

    5. A wheel alignment can not correct a tire pull problem. As the tire continuies to seperate the pull or wobble gets worse. If there is a beginning of tire seperation repace it. Do not just put it on the rear. A car is harder to control with a rear tire blowout than a front tire blowout. I've had both. I didn't like either. But for a rear wheel drive car, the rear tire blowout was the worst. On the freeway I was takeing up 3 lanes to get the car slowed down, and back under control.



    I hope these suggestions may be of help. Lee
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    davegnh1 wrote:
    HI everyone, the steering wheel in my Jet is not centered, I need to keep it to one side to keep the car going straight.



    Can I adjust the tie rods to correct this? If I move both sides the same amount I can I bring this back to center? I don't need perfect but would like to get it closer than it is. Will this work? Thanks for the input--Dave
    One thing that causes a car to pull to one side is caster setting. Both side have to be within 1/2 degree of each other. Only a front end alignment shop can give you the answer to this problem and it has to be a shop that can align front ends only, not 4 wheels like new cars, and there isn't many left. Walt.
  • davegnh
    davegnh Expert Adviser
    Thanks guys, I have lots to check. I will let you know how it works out.
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