Truck alignment question

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by OldeSkool, Nov 4, 2022.

  1. OldeSkool

    OldeSkool Road Train Member

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    I’ve had approximately 4 alignments on my trucks, and every time the shop seems to act like it is impossible to straighten the steering wheel on a truck. I don’t see any way to adjust it, without literally adjusting the steering shaft on the splines coming to the steering gearbox or something. Is there really no good way to straighten it? It bugs me to have my steering wheel at 1:00 position.
     
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  3. ‘Olhand

    ‘Olhand Cantankerous Crusty

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    It is not unusual after a proper alignment for the steering wheel to be off some....A decent tech knows this and just removes the wheel and recenters it
     
  4. TruckerPete1990

    TruckerPete1990 Road Train Member

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    You can just remove the wheel and put back on. If it's pulling one direction though then you still got an alignment issues. I prefer md alignment. I've had good luck with the one in Kansas city and Michigan
     
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  5. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    A good tech will turn the tie rod adjustments in opposite directions to center the wheel after they get the toe-in set, and then verify they're still in spec.

    You can do the same yourself if you're careful about it. Set up a vertical ruler to measure how far you move the end of the wrench, and make sure you move each end equally.
     
  6. OldeSkool

    OldeSkool Road Train Member

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    I hadn’t thought about that.
     
  7. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    Normally the teeth are too coarse on the sector or steering wheel to correct a small misalignment that way. That's definitely the way to go if the wheel is off a substantial amount. Then fine tune with the tie rod ends.
     
  8. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Adjustable drag links are good for getting a steering wheel centered. These new trucks with one piece drag links suck.

    I would not move the pitman arm. You'll lose wheel cut in one direction and add it to the other.
     
  9. LoneRanger

    LoneRanger Road Train Member

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    Best bet is find a shop that has a rack, could be damage your not seeing.
     
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  10. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    it the wheel is offset, it isn't a proper alignment.

    They adjust the tie rood drag link to get it straight.

    If it is off a lot, then there is a problem.
     
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  11. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    why is it funny, I am typing sitting in a passenger seat going down a rough road.

    The point is there are ways to adjust the steering wheel, the factory has to adjust them when they are put together.

    So when someone says it is part of a proper alignment, they are WRONG!!
     
    Siinman Thanks this.
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