Steering wheel doesn't line up

[jeepthing]

My steering wheel has always not been lined up when I drive straight (you know, the sheel is rotated counter clockwise a bit). I finally got the wheel off today, and noticed that while you can slide the little steering wire connector about an inch each way, that's about it, and it is not nearly enough for me to make my wheel straight.

The alignment tracks fine while driving, so I think that whoever did the alignment before didn't center the wheel before doing it. With the steering wheel off, you can see that black plastic covering over the steering stump. Is there a way to remove that and rotate it somehow, or do I have to have the alignment done and have them straighten the wheel. It's too bad you have to line up that little connector or else I could just put it back on as I see fit.

[talntar]

you can line it up by adjusting the drag link.it wont hurt your alighnment

[jeepthing]

What is the drag link?

[dnixon]

drag link connects from your Pitman arm to your tie-rod. There should be an adjusting sleeve on your drag link that will allow you to adjust the length of the drag link.. the change in length will push or pull the tie-rod and the tie rod will move your tires from left to right... good luck!

[youngjeeper]

im maxed out on my tierod and still have my wheel turned 1/4 to the left to go straight

[dnixon]

Originally posted by youngjeeper:
im maxed out on my tierod and still have my wheel turned 1/4 to the left to go straightI don't know if this will work but you might have to turn your DPA. Take it off then rotate it then put it back on.. I think that will give you something to work with on your Drag Link....

[Sitting Bull]

Originally posted by SLOwag:
I don't know if this will work but you might have to turn your DPA. Take it off then rotate it then put it back on.. I think that will give you something to work with on your Drag Link....[/QB]-------------------

The PA is set in orientation. One of the teeth is bigger than the others, locking it into a certain position.

To fix the problem...

First jack up the front tires of the vehicle. Unbolt the steering shaft at your ragjoint, turn that bad boy 180 degrees (360 if you have too) in the direction you need it to go (I think it will need to go the same direction as the wheel is turned - but verify that). Then bolt the steering shaft assembly back on. You will now notice that the wheel is pointed the opposite direction of the problem. Adjust the draglink the opposite way (you should have plenty of adjustment in this direction) until your wheel is centered. Then let me know how that works - because I have the same problem. This is the only fix I can see.