Steering wheel alignment

[zuiko]

I hate a 2WD 1996 3500HD. How do I adjust the steering wheel so it is straight when the wheels are straight? An alignment would fix this, but I hate to spend the dough and it seems to handle allright... this is just a major annoyance. Is there an adjustment on the steering gear for this or would i have to pull the steering stuff apart to correct this? Thanks.

[seanp1]

I hate a 2WD 1996 3500HD. How do I adjust the steering wheel so it is straight when the wheels are straight? An alignment would fix this, but I hate to spend the dough and it seems to handle allright... this is just a major annoyance. Is there an adjustment on the steering gear for this or would i have to pull the steering stuff apart to correct this? Thanks.

 

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To my knowledge, an alignment is the only thing that will remedy this. It is possible that when you had it aligned last that they didnt do it with the wheel straight. I had that happen to me. When I took it in again for an alignment, I made sure to say something. Pony up and pay for a lifetime alignment on the truck if you plan to keep it a while.

 

Mine cost me about $120. Ive had it aligned twice, so it has paid for itself.

[95Sierra2500]

It sounds like you just need to go in and have an alignment done. Even if the truck handles alright you could have a serious alignment problem and just 'adjusting' the steering wheel isn't going to fix it. A good alignment shop will get it spot-on and it'll stay there until something wears out or breaks.

[mmmikkke]

Look at the tie rod ends. There's a coupling on there. It's threaded and it has a lock nut. I've heard that for small adjustments you can just adjust both sides equally, lengthen one side and shorten the other side, by the exact same number of turns or 1/4 turns. But if you're not a competent mechanic, you shouldn't try this. It's pretty important that the lock nuts be retightened the right amount.