Steering wheel alignment off after body lift -prior to having it aligned.

[tehCoop]

We got the body lift accomplished a few days ago while the vehicle was down for lots of upgrades. In the course of installing the steering extension for the body lift we managed to rotate the steering wheel 170-190 degrees off center. Since that spacer is such a pain in the ass to get in place as soon as it was in position we tighten the bolts and didn't think about the fact the wheel had turned in the course of our install till it was way too late.

In addition to the body lift, I've completed a OME lift and planned to have the vehicle aligned once all of the work was complete. Problem Im faced with, is there any way the alignment shop can fix my screw up while they align the car or do i need to pull the spacer, and try as best as possible to center the wheel, re-install the spacer then take it to get it aligned.

 

[tehCoop]

let me ask the question this way to see if anyone knows,

Is there enough room in adjusting the both tie-rod ends to compensate for a steering wheel that's currently 180 degrees from center?

 

[zopperman]

let me ask the question this way to see if anyone knows,

Is there enough room in adjusting the both tie-rod ends to compensate for a steering wheel that's currently 180 degrees from center?

Not sure, but it could be easier to pull the wheel and realign the splines at the steering column?

 

[tehCoop]

thanks for the idea, i guess that could get me out of this bind if the alignment shop cant fix it. Ive yanked several steering wheels off over the years, but never one with all the gadgets and airbags in them.

 

[nevada]

let me ask the question this way to see if anyone knows,

Is there enough room in adjusting the both tie-rod ends to compensate for a steering wheel that's currently 180 degrees from center?

no.
not even close.

Not sure, but it could be easier to pull the wheel and realign the splines at the steering column?

I doubt that will work, most have a blind spline, and only go on one way.



the correct way to fix this, is to remove the spacer and put it in correctly.

 

[tehCoop]

Nevada, Thanks for the info, its not what I wanted to hear but told me what I need to do before I take it in to get aligned.

 

[Sungod]

You definitely wouldn't want to try to center with the adjusters. Your rack would be way out of center and you would only be able to turn one way.


You could try the steering wheel. I don't know on the 4 runner, but some cars you can pull the steering wheel and center it. It may be worth a shot. A dangerous shot if you do not properly disconnect the airbag, but could save you some hassle.

 

[aha2988]

the spacer is installed with two bolts way easier than pulling splined shafts or even attempting to get that kind of adjustment out of the rack.