Straightening steering wheel after alignment

[AudiTech]

Unless you personally have done an alignment you don't really understand how sensitive and precise readings are, tightening the jamb nut on a tie rod can change the toe reading on that wheel by a couple arc minutes. Toyota says to do it that way because it's cost effective and the results are "close enough". I would never attempt to fix an offset steering wheel on my own vehicle like that, fix it the right way, through a competent alignment.

 

[1engineer]

Unless you personally have done an alignment you don't really understand how sensitive and precise readings are, tightening the jamb nut on a tie rod can change the toe reading on that wheel by a couple arc minutes. Toyota says to do it that way because it's cost effective and the results are "close enough". I would never attempt to fix an offset steering wheel on my own vehicle like that, fix it the right way, through a competent alignment.

I understand what you mean here but how accurate do you need to be? You actually have a large range in your alignment specs and you can be "right" anywhere within them.

 

[nevada]

I understand what you mean here but how accurate do you need to be? You actually have a large range in your alignment specs and you can be "right" anywhere within them.

the toe setting(which is what can change when centering the wheel) is a much tighter tolerance than the camber/caster.

I just took a quick look, and most give .10" for a total range.

 

[AudiTech]

Within specs or "in the green" is not a sign of a good alignment, symmetry is more important than in spec or out of spec. You can have an in spec car drive horribly if each side is at opposite thresholds of being within spec.

 

[1engineer]

Within specs or "in the green" is not a sign of a good alignment, symmetry is more important than in spec or out of spec. You can have an in spec car drive horribly if each side is at opposite thresholds of being within spec.

My point exactly. It can also drive horribly if set to the same specs on both sides. In the end rhe vehicle just have to drive ok and not wear tires. Moving it a tad to center the wheel while still in spec should be fine.

 

[AudiTech]

My point is if it's aligned and toe is equalized from side to side and you do this TSB it will not be equalized anymore. When I align cars it's a trial and error with moving the tie rod slightly and tightening the jamb nut to see what it changes to when tightened, then you loose it and adjust it a hair in whichever way you need to and retighten and see if it's where it needs to be when it's tight. You can not eye ball equal movement on something so exact and precise. Will it be close, sure. Will it be equalized, not a chance. Like I said it might be "good enough" but personally that's not good enough for me. I'd rather have it fixed and correct then patched with a band aid.

 

[ZJumper]

You can fix it in 10 minutes without even taking a wheel off.

If someone straightens your steering wheel using this method (and without actually aligning it) I guarantee your readings will be out of spec.

 

[ZJumper]

I understand what you mean here but how accurate do you need to be? You actually have a large range in your alignment specs and you can be "right" anywhere within them.

The range may seem "large" but when the vehicle is on the rack it doesn't take much to go from "in the green" with a +.05 on both sides to a -.15 on one side and a +.15 on the other side. It may drive straight when it's actually not.

point exactly. It can also drive horribly if set to the same specs on both sides. In the end rhe vehicle just have to drive ok and not wear tires. Moving it a tad to center the wheel while still in spec should be fine..

Usually when it drives "horribly" after an alignment is when a tech gets everything straight, prints off the sheet, then commences to tighten things down. During the tightening if he isn't anal/particular is when deviations occur. That's just sloppy.

When doing an alignment it takes a bit of time to get it just right.

As long as you do it on a rack and know your specs are true.


If you combine what I stated in post #9 and what AudiTech stated, the steering wheel should be straight, vehicle should not pull to one side or the other. In a nutshell, you should be able to drive down the road with one finger making very slight adjustments..

 

[THEROK]

My point is if it's aligned and toe is equalized from side to side and you do this TSB it will not be equalized anymore. When I align cars it's a trial and error with moving the tie rod slightly and tightening the jamb nut to see what it changes to when tightened, then you loose it and adjust it a hair in whichever way you need to and retighten and see if it's where it needs to be when it's tight. You can not eye ball equal movement on something so exact and precise. Will it be close, sure. Will it be equalized, not a chance. Like I said it might be "good enough" but personally that's not good enough for me. I'd rather have it fixed and correct then patched with a band aid.

Wish someone like you could align my truck. Good help is hard to find. Even in SoCal.

 

[ksbecker]

question

You have several things to deal with here. If in fact you trust this reputable shop. I assume this is a lifted truck. If so, here are your scenarios.

1. The steering wheel is only off center when you are in the left lane because of the crowning of the road. Your alignment is fine. You have to hold your steering wheel to the right to stay straight.

2. Your reputable shop does not know how to complete an alignment. Centering the steering wheel is a part of this process. It is also possible that their machine has not been calibrated recently. If they have an appropriate Hunter machine that is less than 10 years old, calibration is a piece of cake.

To actually answer your question, you can center your steering wheel by adjusting both tie rods. You'll have to be very meticulous with your measurements, as they need to be dead even left and right. Otherwise, you'll change your toe settings.

But in reality, you should determine which scenario you're dealing with. You should not have do your own steering wheel centering.

Do you have the alignment specs available?

Has anyone ever noticed that the steering wheel on the 5th gen 4r is angled? (not up and down or in and out, I'm talking about angled in left to right) The right side (cruise c side) is closer to the dash than the left by 1/2 inch. I asked the guys in the shop at the dealership if they new why and got in several 23 4r's and they are all the same. Just wondering if anyone knows why or has ever noticed it? Thx

 

[<<<<]

Steering angle is adjustable but for those who OCD about symmetry left turn signal stalk is noticeably lower than right wiper stalk, therefore steering wheel will never look straight if using those as markers.

 

[toohott7718]

Maintaing a vehicle sometimes really sucks but when you pay someone to do a job it should be done right. Even though it was at a reputable shop they may have been showing a newbie their alignment rack and the tech may have overlooked it. Either way they didn't do what they were paid to do. You shouldn't have to crawl under tiur vehicle and try to fix someone elses mistake.
So unfortunately you need to take it back.good luck..