Centering my steering wheel

[wesel123]

Hey all,

A few weeks ago I had my OME lift kit installed on my 04 Runner. It lonly cost me $250 to install and that included removing the Xreas shocks and stuts and a full blown alignment. The only problem I'm having is the steering wheel being off center by about a 1/4" to the left. I already had the installing company fix the wheel being of center to the right about a 1/4". I kind of feel bad asking them to fix it agian, I feel like I'm being to anal. Its also a pain to get to the shop.

Anway the questions is, how hard is it to recenter the steering wheel??? Anythougts would help.

 

[mountainpete]

My personal though: be anal.

It's obviously bugging you and they didn't complete the job. It would bug me too. Go back again, tell them that it's just not right yet and get them to fix it - and maybe ask if you can be there while they fix it so that you can OK it before the truck is finished.

 

[Willman]

Hey all,

A few weeks ago I had my OME lift kit installed on my 04 Runner. It lonly cost me $250 to install and that included removing the Xreas shocks and stuts and a full blown alignment. The only problem I'm having is the steering wheel being off center by about a 1/4" to the left. I already had the installing company fix the wheel being of center to the right about a 1/4". I kind of feel bad asking them to fix it agian, I feel like I'm being to anal. Its also a pain to get to the shop.

Anway the questions is, how hard is it to recenter the steering wheel??? Anythougts would help.

Welcome to the ExPo!

Centering the wheel is no big deal my friend!!!! It should only take about 10 minutes......If you pay the place big $$$, I to would what the same thing!!!.......Now....time to take your rig out and really put your rig out of aligment!!!!....lol :hehe:

:truck:

 

[Willman]

My personal though: be anal.

and maybe ask if you can be there while they fix it so that you can OK it before the truck is finished.

Pete has hit the nail on this one as always!!!

I'm very anal when other people even touch my rig! You have every right to look over their shoulder!....I will usually follow my rig in most cases for repair work.....I do most of my own repairs...but sometimes its hard to avoid it like an alignment, etc.. The best thing if you are not to handy with a wrench...is to find a good shop that you can trust!


Good luck!!!

:ylsmoke:

 

[Schattenjager]

X2

Poor customer service is getting way out of hand. You paid your earned $ for the job to be done correctly and that is what you should get. Perhaps working on yours AGAIN will make them more cautious in the future.

Take it back and politely ask them to fix it. Explain that it is a hassle to get to the shop and they will more than likely WANT to do the job right - opposed to being made to do it.

Good Luck!

 

[wesel123]

Welcome to the ExPo!

Centering the wheel is no big deal my friend!!!! It should only take about 10 minutes......If you pay the place big $$$, I to would what the same thing!!!.......Now....time to take your rig out and really put your rig out of aligment!!!!....lol :hehe:

:truck:

Can you explain how its done??? I know I should have them do it but it really is a pain in the butt to get to them. Thanks of the help.

 

[viter]

here are instructions (see attached pdf file) on doing this on a 2001-2004 tacoma and I imagine at least in principle the method is similar for your vehicle.

However, as others mentioned,I would rather ask the shop to fix the problem. what if it got offcenter so quickly because something is loose and they just forgot to tighten it or perhaps they overlooked something wornout in the steering system. I would let pro's do it unless I think they are incompetent, but obviously the choice is yours.

 

[Willman]

Can you explain how its done??? I know I should have them do it but it really is a pain in the butt to get to them. Thanks of the help.

Sure!....here we go.......

All that they are going to do is drive your rig back up on their aligment hoist...Lifts up your rig and fasten these black boxes to all four rims that are connected to a computer which reads what your aligment is and where to fix it. The alignment is corrected by adjusting the two tie rods that lead to your wheels....By having a computer their.....It tells the tech how far to turn those nuts to get your alignment back where it should be!

:victory:

With a lift like yours....your toe (How the front wheels are angled) is what is out of position. With the new lift....Your 4runner has been raised 2.5" (guessing)....as you lift up your rig....The toe will cont. to get out of position......

Here's another example...Have you ever taken a floor jack to the front of your 4runner and lifted it high off the ground?.....as you max out your total drop on your suspension....your toe on your aligment gets offset....You will notice that your tires will apprear like they're angled in a touch.....But when you lower your rig to the ground you can see your tires going back to their normal state....

(note...Lifting your rig off the ground is not going to affect your aligment...only hitting rocks, curbs, and new lift kits affect your alignment)

Hope this helped!

Good luck and get that 4runner of yours back to that shop!

:Mechanic:

 

[Willman]

here are instructions (see attached pdf file) on doing this on a 2001-2004 tacoma and I imagine at least in principle the method is similar for your vehicle.

However, as others mentioned,I would rather ask the shop to fix the problem. what if it got offcenter so quickly because something is loose and they just forgot to tighten it or perhaps they overlooked something wornout in the steering system. I would let pro's do it unless I think they are incompetent, but obviously the choice is yours.

Nice find!

I agree!....

I would not do this myself! Thats why we have computers!!! Leave it up to trained techs!

:Mechanic:

:26_7_2:

 

[njtaco]

Just a thought... as your new suspension settles in, the alignment will change again...not a lot, but some. I think I'd contact the service manager, have him/her agree to re-check or re-align in a week or two, at your convenience. Meanwhile, get off road and load/cycle the suspension a bit to break it in. If you are adding any significant weight to the truck that will stay on board day-to-day, align it how you drive it.

My 2c...

Good luck with it!

edit... OK, I just read that the install was a few weeks ago...as long as you have been driving the truck regularly since then (loaded) the next alignment should be "due" now anyways.

 

[wesel123]

You guys are right. I have a feeling that doing it my self is not the smartest choice. Crap, I hate doing things twice. Oh well you live you learn.

Thanks to all for the info.

 

[p1michaud]

It should be done right...

My personal though: be anal.

It's obviously bugging you and they didn't complete the job. It would bug me too. Go back again, tell them that it's just not right yet and get them to fix it - and maybe ask if you can be there while they fix it so that you can OK it before the truck is finished.

x3

Be polite and explain to the shop that this is bothering you. They should be more than willing to fix it. As others have mentionned it's your hard earned money paying for a service. You should be happy with the service.

Good luck. Oh, and being informed on how they should do the work is a great idea IMO since you better understand what work they are doing on your vehicle. You don't have to be an expert, but you can still understand and make better decisions.
Cheers,
P

 

[Kevinj110]

If it really is a pain to get to their shop I would say just live with it. Or if it really does bother you just turn the tie rods alittle less than 1 full turn so that it sets the wheels off in the direction opposite that the steering wheel is going. I am and have been an ASE certified alignment and front end tech. Many times you can also solve this problem by moving the passenger side tire to the driverside and vice versa. This is due to the fact that sometimes radial tires have a slight pull in them from the factory. I know quality control is amazing. If you have any questions feel free to PM me or PM me and I will give you my number so I can talk you through it.

 

[wesel123]

If it really is a pain to get to their shop I would say just live with it. Or if it really does bother you just turn the tie rods alittle less than 1 full turn so that it sets the wheels off in the direction opposite that the steering wheel is going. I am and have been an ASE certified alignment and front end tech. Many times you can also solve this problem by moving the passenger side tire to the driverside and vice versa. This is due to the fact that sometimes radial tires have a slight pull in them from the factory. I know quality control is amazing. If you have any questions feel free to PM me or PM me and I will give you my number so I can talk you through it.

I think I should mention the fact that the truck does NOT pull in any direction. Its like they did the alingment and held the steering wheel in an off position. It seems that adjusting the tie rods would effect the toe that I belive is properly set?? I hope that make sense. Sorry about not mentioning that sooner.

 

[Kevinj110]

Then what you would want to do is adjust them in equal lengths in the in the same direction so the steering would be straight. I will tell you thoui that if it doenst pull the chance of it wearing hte tires is minamal. I would just either take it back to them or live with it. good luck.