Steering wheel won't align. Easy?

[LittleGiant]

Recently had an alignment done and the steering wheel was at 8 o'clock and 2 to stay straight.

I was told it’s because I have slop in somewhere. Didn’t make sense because I just replaced the steering gearbox along with upper and lower steering shafts.

This to me seems like an easy fix. Disconnect the drag link, straighten the steering wheel and adjust the tie rod end of the drag link then reattach. Now it’s tilted the other way. 10&4.

What did I do wrong?

 

[tr21triton]

you need to adjust it about 1 turn at a time and take it for a ride. mine was off like that on my 97 and it took a few times to get it dialed in.

 

[OldBuzzard]

It's surprising how much difference a half turn, or even less, can make.

Don't disconnect the drag link, just turn the adjuster section.

 

[SPECWAR]

Shame on the alignment shop

 

[LittleGiant]

It's surprising how much difference a half turn, or even less, can make.

Don't disconnect the drag link, just turn the adjuster section.

Adjuster section? You mean the sleeve on the Drag link?

 

[LittleGiant]

Shame on the alignment shop

Seriously

 

[TheBoogieman]

Adjuster section? You mean the sleeve on the Drag link?

Yes.

 

[tr21triton]

Adjuster section? You mean the sleeve on the Drag link?

yes, loosen the 2 clamps, give it a turn either direction, take it for a ride and see which way it moved. then repeat till you get it where you want it.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Disconnect the drag link

No.

 

[LittleGiant]

Well I guess I made it harder than it needs to be. Haha. Seems even easier now. Will get on this once I’m home from work

 

[GregBelleville]

yes, loosen the 2 clamps, give it a turn either direction, take it for a ride and see which way it moved. then repeat till you get it where you want it.

I've found it easier to adjust by placing a piece of tape at top center of the steering wheel. Then you can make your drag link adjustments and stand up to to see if your getting close by looking at the tape on the steering wheel.

 

[tr21triton]

I've found it easier to adjust by placing a piece of tape at top center of the steering wheel. Then you can make your drag link adjustments and stand up to to see if your getting close by looking at the tape on the steering wheel.

I found doing that I still had to fine tune it .

 

[SPECWAR]

Seriously

SERIOUSLY. Find another shop.

 

[JMT]

Well I guess I made it harder than it needs to be. Haha. Seems even easier now. Will get on this once I’m home from work

Technically, leave the Jeep running in park while you make your adjustments with the sleeve. As you turn the sleeve the steering wheel will turn one way or the other. Once you know which way you need to turn it do it till it’s just shy of center. Then tighten up and go for a drive and see it’ll it’s really straight. Come back home and do it again till you get it just right. Can take several attempts.

 

[Rickyd]

Do it on a road without much road crown. The flatter it is the less you need to steer into the crown to compensate

 

[Cooper Smith]

Recently had an alignment done and the steering wheel was at 8 o'clock and 2 to stay straight.

I was told it’s because I have slop in somewhere. Didn’t make sense because I just replaced the steering gearbox along with upper and lower steering shafts.

This to me seems like an easy fix. Disconnect the drag link, straighten the steering wheel and adjust the tie rod end of the drag link then reattach. Now it’s tilted the other way. 10&4.

What did I do wrong?

Brother I probably went up and down the road adjusting my drag link at least 5-6 times before I had it right.

 

[LittleGiant]

Brother I probably went up and down the road adjusting my drag link at least 5-6 times before I had it right.

Ok. Good to know it’s an easy process, just a little tediius

 

[Cooper Smith]

Ok. Good to know it’s an easy process, just a little tediius

Yep. You don't need an alignment shop either. All you can adjust on a stock TJ (or one with a shorter less involved lift) is toe and steering wheel alignment. Such an easy vehicle. The tire guys don't want you to know that though. I had to fight them to balance my tires properly because "balance can't cause death wobble". I digress.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Recently had an alignment done and the steering wheel was at 8 o'clock and 2 to stay straight.
What did I do wrong?

You didn't DIY.

 

[Cooper Smith]

You didn't DIY.

To be fair, I had mine aligned before I knew how simple our front ends are and that I could just, ya know, do it with a few pieces of angle iron and a tape measure. Live and learn!