Steering wheel not straight

Hi.. I had a 2004 dodge 2500 that had the steering wheel slightly out of line when going straight down the road. No other issue at all just cosmetic. Put 12k. Miles on the truck. I got 50k-51k.miles out each set of tires. Jim2007

RLS7201 wrote:
So many misinformed posts.

Ford has only a single adjustment for setting the toe so it's likely the steering wheel will need to be re-centered after an alignment. Be sure to mark the original position before removing the steering wheel. There is no master spline so the wheel can be reinstalled in any position. You'll probably only need to move it 1 spline or possibly 2 at the most. The splines are on 4.5 degree centers so if your wheel is off less than that amount it will be off center slightly in the opposite direction when you reposition it..

Richard

As mentioned by RLS7201 the Ford F53 steering linkage has only a single adjustment at the tie rod. Unlike the GM system you cannot lengthen one end and shorten the other to center the steering wheel.

In addition there is now a master spline on the steering wheel to column connection and there are no adjustments on the original equipment drag link. Moving the steering wheel was the proper way to correct steering wheel misalignment on the 2007 and prior model years. It is covered under Ford's QVM Bulletin No. Q-59. Otherwise known as F53 motorhome chassis clear vision and alignment policy change.

The only way to straighten the steering wheel on the 2008 and newer chassis is to disconnect the steering shaft from the steering gear box and move it one or more splines until the steering wheel is properly centered. If I remember correctly I believe moving the shaft one spline will move the steering wheel 2*. This is normally part of the procedure if the alignment moves the steering wheel off center.

Centering the steering wheel using this method is covered in the Ford Workshop manual.

There are only two ways outside of an accident/bent parts problem on a new large chassis vehicle that a steering wheel can be off center. Tie rod ends need to be adjusted and the toe in reset. The other way is that the steering wheel was installed a spline tooth off but that may be impossible with that chassis as there may be s blind spline which only allows for one way to install that wheel. Any large vehicle alignment shop can correct the off center wheel. If it's a smaller vehicle, a rack and pinion type steering gear can be installed not centered. This can be easily checked by turning the front wheels lock to lock via the steering wheel. If the wheels don't turn as far in one direction as the other, that R&P need to be adjusted - and that is, again, via tie rod end adjustment. If it's an "elderly" higher miles vehicle, there are several more potential parts contributors

To the OP, it is probably more annoying the a problem but don't guess - take it to someone that is familiar with these chassis - a Ford dealer or a truck alignment shop. If it's new, no big deal. If it's an older vehicle, be prepared to spend a couple hundred bucks plus on an alignment and maybe a few replacement parts.

If there is a DRAG LINK, that is a common place to make minor adjustments to steering wheel alignment.

I agree with the folks suggesting a dealer fix if it's still in warranty. For those saying it's a tie rod adjustment, please crawl under an F53 chassis and count the adjustable ends. See just one? Yep, can't adjust the steering wheel centering there.

T bone wrote:
On my new Ford motorhome the steering wheel is not straight when going straight down the road..The front end seems to be in alignment, no pulling or off tracking. Wondering if I could pull the steering wheel and just move it a little.

2017 Georgetown 329S.......NEW Motorhome

Was steering wheel like that (not straight when going straight down the road)when you got it from dealer?

Regardless.....take it back in and have DEALER get it corrected (so that later on THEY can't say.."Hey you caused this/that problem"
Besides that isn't the only thing that will need addressed.

But better sooner then later or you might hear "Did you hit a curb?"

If it is new, why not take in to a dealer and have them correct it? I would think that is a warranty issue?

As already noted, the correct fix is to adjust the tie rods, take up one, lengthen the other. There is absolutely no adjustment to the steering gearbox that will do this, and unless you have the proper skills and manuals, removing a steering wheel with an air bag is a dangerous procedure and is by no means the correct way to fix your problem. Even if you do not have a air bag in there, its a lot of work to do the job wrong, tie rods are easy in comparison. Any good alignment shop that can accommodate the MH can easily do this and set your toe in properly.

Charles

So many misinformed posts.

Ford has only a single adjustment for setting the toe so it's likely the steering wheel will need to be re-centered after an alignment. Be sure to mark the original position before removing the steering wheel. There is no master spline so the wheel can be reinstalled in any position. You'll probably only need to move it 1 spline or possibly 2 at the most. The splines are on 4.5 degree centers so if your wheel is off less than that amount it will be off center slightly in the opposite direction when you reposition it..

Richard

Your wheel is not straight because your alignment was done incorrectly. The wheel should have been centered when the vehicle was aligned. You don't pull the wheel to correct this. As for making your own adjustments, only if you really really know what you are doing. Way easy to screw it up.