Steering Wheel Alignment

[MichaelGH]

I think when I put the pitman arm if you are standing at the front of the jeep and facing towards it, the pitman arm was toward the outside approx. 1 o’clock

Yours sounds correct. Standing at the front, looking down. Approximately 1 o’clock angled towards the frame…

 

[mrblaine]

If there’s more damage I have no idea what it would be because literally everything is brand new except the axle and it is a very good condition used Dana 30. All steering/Suspension parts are brand new.

Ok I will measure axle center position. I think when I put the pitman arm if you are standing at the front of the jeep and facing towards it, the pitman arm was toward the outside approx. 1 o’clock, are you all saying it needed to be clocked more toward the center of jeep instead of the right outside position?

No, if you are at the front looking back, the pitman is clocked over to the right.

 

[mrblaine]

If there’s more damage I have no idea what it would be because literally everything is brand new except the axle and it is a very good condition used Dana 30. All steering/Suspension parts are brand new.

Ok I will measure axle center position. I think when I put the pitman arm if you are standing at the front of the jeep and facing towards it, the pitman arm was toward the outside approx. 1 o’clock, are you all saying it needed to be clocked more toward the center of jeep instead of the right outside position?

There are two ways that the steering wheel can get upside down without damage from a wreck. One is to file out the keys in the pitman so it can clock over any place you need it to. The second is someone installed one of the piece of crap Borgeson lower steering shafts. They are not keyed and can go onto the input shaft at any rotation.

Once you determine axle center, you need to drop the steering link out of the pitman and center the steering gear. Turn it all the way one way, then very accurately count the number of turns the other way until it stops, cut that in half and go back that far. The wheel should be correct. If not, then some more work needs to be done. If it correct, then check the pitman and see where it lines up. If it is back and to the right slightly, that's good. If not, again, more work.

 

[jcw]

having similar issues though not as severe. I have tried multiple times to adjust the wheel via the drag link. No matter how many times I get the wheel straight while parked (key in acc position) with drag link adjustments, as soon as I start driving it needs me to turn it to one o’clock to keep the wheel straight.
I have replaced most steering components with a “ZJ upgrade” and then did a driveway alignment, with the directions on another post on here
In addition, the intermediate drive shaft was replaced. It was out of where it goes into the steering column (could that have done anything to throw it off)
Any opinions appreciated

 

[Duck Doctor]

In my experience, centering the steering wheel is a trial and error process. I typically adjust the drag link the steering wheel isn't dead straight but at the 12:30 position

 

[JMT]

having similar issues though not as severe. I have tried multiple times to adjust the wheel via the drag link. No matter how many times I get the wheel straight while parked (key in acc position) with drag link adjustments, as soon as I start driving it needs me to turn it to one o’clock to keep the wheel straight.
I have replaced most steering components with a “ZJ upgrade” and then did a driveway alignment, with the directions on another post on here
In addition, the intermediate drive shaft was replaced. It was out of where it goes into the steering column (could that have done anything to throw it off)
Any opinions appreciated

Assuming you positioned the steering column back correctly, start the Jeep so your power steering is active ( no accessory BS). Then center and try again. Overcompensate if you keep getting similar patterns of failure to center.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

having similar issues though not as severe. I have tried multiple times to adjust the wheel via the drag link. No matter how many times I get the wheel straight while parked (key in acc position) with drag link adjustments, as soon as I start driving it needs me to turn it to one o’clock to keep the wheel straight.
I have replaced most steering components with a “ZJ upgrade” and then did a driveway alignment, with the directions on another post on here
In addition, the intermediate drive shaft was replaced. It was out of where it goes into the steering column (could that have done anything to throw it off)
Any opinions appreciated

Without an alignment rack, there is very little chance you can center your steering wheel that way. Drive it, take some time to figure out which direction you have to turn the wheel to center it, and then make very small changes to the drag link. If you are at one o’clock, it will only take something like an 8th of a turn to get it right.

Once you know which way you have to turn the wheel, sit under the front of the rig, and think about the way you have to turn the wheel to center it - without the wheels turning. From that, you will know if you have to lengthen or shorten your drag link. Do it, and then start over and repeat the process until the wheel is centered when you drive.

 

[Rickyd]

having similar issues though not as severe. I have tried multiple times to adjust the wheel via the drag link. No matter how many times I get the wheel straight while parked (key in acc position) with drag link adjustments, as soon as I start driving it needs me to turn it to one o’clock to keep the wheel straight.
I have replaced most steering components with a “ZJ upgrade” and then did a driveway alignment, with the directions on another post on here
In addition, the intermediate drive shaft was replaced. It was out of where it goes into the steering column (could that have done anything to throw it off)
Any opinions appreciated

Keep in mind that the amount of road crown on any given road will have you turning the wheel to compensate different amounts. It will never be perfect all the time. A steering box with some play will magnify this