Steering wheel at 1oclock

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Phumac, Feb 20, 2019.

  1. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    I'm sure that's true, but I'm saying, I've driven trucks that I know had never been aligned, and the steering wheels were always way off center. Where does that happen in the steering linkage?
     
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  3. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Usually steering wheel centre is adjusted using the drag link. If its a 1 piece drag link I guess you'd have to pull the steering wheel and line it up that way. Installing the pitman arm on the wrong spline will screw with the steering wheel centre as well as the amount of wheel cut in each direction.
     
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  4. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    I know that, and I've adjusted steering wheels at that u-joint in the linkage, I'm saying, on a truck with no free play, and the steering wheel way off, where does that happen?
     
  5. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    after an alignment I just pull the wheel off the column and rotate it a tooth or two till its right.
     
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  6. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    Assuming no one has messed with the front end and its in proper alignment.... the wheel was put on crooked at the factory.
     
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  7. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    Truck needs an alignment. Then wheel removed and centered. I had a WS with adjustable pitman arm. Only Truck I’ve ever seen with one. Otherwise removing wheel to center is the usual practice.PITA
     
  8. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Wow, take the wheel off.

    Out of all the trucks I've owned, never had to do that. Everything is adjustable through the steering linkage.

    The truck I drove getting back into this I had aligned and asked specifically to have the steering wheel offset to the right because of my hand, the freightliner dealer in Indy did it as instructed, does not take an alignment genius to do that.
     
  9. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    They probably took the wheel off to center it.
     
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  10. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    My WS has an adjustable drag link not pitman arm, my mistake
     
  11. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    I always thought a crooked steering wheel was because when they adjusted the toe in they didn't make sure that the steering wheel was centered.

    I always thought that the gear inside of the steering gear was supposed to be centered and neutral when the wheel is straight ahead or it causes faster wear on the steering gear.

    I also always thought that any adjustments to make your steering wheel straight should be done under the truck rather than at the wheel, sort of the same idea that you adjust the clutch at the transmission first, instead of adjusting the linkage.
     
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