Steering Wheel Not Straight
 

Hey all, recently I just replaced my steering rack and pinion. Everything is installed and I have a question.


When I reconnected the steering wheel to the actual rack on the floor board how do I know it is in the right postion?

Reason I ask is the wheel points to the left a little bit when wheels are straight.

Will just an alignment sort this out? I hear rubbing when I have the wheels full lock left and right.




NOTE: my car was never ALIGNED before hand either, the tie rods were replaced and never aligned.

Re: Steering Wheel Not Straight
 

When replacing ANY steering component, ALWAYS get an alignment. It should have had an alignment when the tie rods were replaced. Reason being is the toe can be way off and the vehicle still drives straight. That's probably why you hear rubbing. Get it aligned ASAP.

Re: Steering Wheel Not Straight
 

Yes lol. You have to get an alignment.

Re: Steering Wheel Not Straight
 

I get aligned after every suspension steering mod. its just what your supposed to do.

Unless you like buying tires frequently..

I know I have to get an alignment. But my main concern is it I line off the steering wheel with the rack correctly. That little knuckle that connects them. By your feet

Re: Steering Wheel Not Straight
 

easy enough to fix, count the turns the wheel makes each way, then straighten the wheel, take a drive, not satisified, loosen joint and move it, then check it again

Should I do this before or after or before the alignment.

Re: Steering Wheel Not Straight
 

Did you turn the steering wheel when the shaft was disconnected? Did you center the new rack and pinion to about the same position as the old rack? Does the shaft have a centering notch? If you're really worried about it, disconnect the shaft center the steering wheel, center the tires visually, reconnect the shaft and get an alignment. A tooth or two won't make that much of a difference. The alignment tech should make sure the steering wheel is straight during an alignment anyways.