Newer F-53 Steering Wheel Alignment

gronotte wrote:
I owned a truck shop an we would be able to center the wheel with a toe in adjustment.
Grab a tape measure and a friend.
Aim the tires as straight as possible by eye
Measure the distance across the front of the front tires being as accurate as possible
Now measure across from one front tire to the other behind the tires from the exact same position on the tires as use did with the front
In other words you want the same position both in front and behind the front tires for your measurement
For most toe in adjustments you want about 1/4 to 3/8 toe in, in others words the front tires should point in very slightly as you look from the front
If they do not measure close to this you can loosen the tie rod adjustment sleeve and move turn the adjusters on both sides until you have the toe in measurement needed.
Most times this with straighten the wheel if the toe in is off
Go slow with the adjustments and measure after each turn of the sleeve
Any questions let me know
Bob

Well, yes, but you must knock one of the tie-rods loose to get the wheel straight ahead, then adjust toe-in. The F-53 has one rod between the wheels.

ON mine when they aligned the front end the tech centered the steering wheel. Done at a independent alignment shop NOT a Ford dealer. And did not pull the steering wheel or sheering shaft.

I believe it is done on the splines on the steering box.

Appears my F53 2016 is done at steering box. I will look into it if it looks like something I can do. Guess ford did this for the air bags in steering wheel, but class A's don't have the air bags. Alignment is perfect. do not want to touch alignment until it is needed. Just need steering wheel to be centered while driving straight down the road. Thanks for all the comments, if anyone has adjusted steering wheel position at the steering gear box, let me know how it went.

RMtravelers wrote:
Appears my F53 2016 is done at steering box. I will look into it if it looks like something I can do. Guess ford did this for the air bags in steering wheel, but class A's don't have the air bags. Alignment is perfect. do not want to touch alignment until it is needed. Just need steering wheel to be centered while driving straight down the road. Thanks for all the comments, if anyone has adjusted steering wheel position at the steering gear box, let me know how it went.

I straightened my steering wheel at the steering box. Was lucky, one spline clockwise was perfect for me. 1 spline = 10 degrees of wheel movement.
After removing the clamping bolt, drive a wedge in the slot to loosen the coupler, then lift it off the splines. No bandaids or cursing needed.

Richard

2006 they removed the steering wheel and replaced it.

As RLS7201 mentioned there are different methods to center the steering wheel on the F53 chassis depending on the model year. The method he outlined for his coach is the same as the one outlined in the 2013 Ford F53 service manual.

I'm not sure what model year Ford changed from removing the steering wheel to making the adjustment at the gear box. I would guess it to be about 2010 or 2011 when the SRS (air bags) were introduced in the 450 series trucks.

For those suggesting adjustments be made at the tie rod or drag link, OEM Ford parts don't have any adjustments on those components that will straighten the steering wheel while keeping the wheels in the proper alignment. There are some after market drag links that are adjustable, but given the longevity of the OEM parts I doubt there are very many in service.