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steering wheel isn't straight.

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jpmxrider489

10+ Year Contributor
2,410
146
Apr 4, 2010
pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
So a little background. I took my power steering rack off and had to put it back in. Also just installed new tie rod ends and upper control arm camber kit.

When I was putting the steering rack in I had moved the driver side arm in on accident. I dont know how much to move it in and out to get back to normal. The car obviously needs a alignment since I replaced the tie rod ends and upper camber kit. I read a post on rebuilding the rack and he said to take the boot off and measure the distance on each arm. I dont want to take the boot off since it a pain.

So im not sure if a alignment would fix this issue because the car drives straight. Can I undo the tie rod ends make the steering wheel straight and put them back on? Like I said the driver side rack arm is not where it was when it came off.

I can undo tie rod ends and straighten wheel and put them back on?
I can take off the steering wheel and reinstall it straight?
Or is there a correct way to do this since I messed up the rack install?
 
When you took your rack off did you mark the orientation between the intermediate shaft and the rack? I forgot to do this when I pulled my column to pull my clutch pedal assembly and now my steering wheel sits at about 1 o clock going down the road. I would imagine you can pull the steering wheel and set it straight as long as your 100% sure. I'm considering doing this to mine.
 
The easiest way to set the steering wheel is to turn it all the way to one side and do the same with the rack before you put the rack in. Trying to estimate the center is not as accurate.
Since you need to take it for an alignment anyway, they'll fix it, although technically your rack may be some degree off.
 
My concern is if the racks rods aren't equal length would my steering be off? Or during sharp turns, would the shorter rod cause issues or wear out parts in the rack?

Also I think it would be easier to take off the tie rod ends than to deal with the steering wheel.
 
If the tie rods are different length id get a matching brand rods. 1 thing I did I counted the turns when reinstalling my rack n pionon on my spyder it was 15-16ish before coming straight. When I did the I pulled off the steering wheel and centered it too. the shop I toke it to get alignment they said was the closest they ever seen EVER still you should get some new tie rods would definitely help quite a bit
 
i would just get the alignment done and they will center the wheel and make all the necessary adjustments .
 
It shouldn't matter what brands of different inner rods you have. The length should be the same. The threads just may be longer. Even if one inner rod was longer/shorter than the other, it's the adjustment of the outer ends in relation to the inners that adjust your alignment. Unless you installed the rack completely ass backwards the wheel shouldn't be that much off. Like I said, the only difference you may see after the alignment is done properly is that one side turning to lock may be slightly shorter.
Just for example, I recently switched to a depowered rack, and when I pulled the old rack it was way off center as a result of changing control arms and tie rods over the years and not getting a proper alignment after each replacement. The wheel was straight, the car drove straight and I honestly never noticed.
 
if you are that worried i would remove the tie rod end on the other side and count the turns then remove the other tie rod end and reinstall it with the same number of turns as the other side . you don't have to make it perfect just close enough so you can take your car to the alignment shop .
 
Just turn your steering wheel all the way left, then turn it all the way right and count how many turns, then divide that number by 2 and turn back to the left what ever your answer was. Your rack will now be centered. Your wheel might not be straight when you get to the center point. If it's not take it off and center it. Then get an alignment and everything will be correct
 
I think you are over complicating things. Tie rods being removed and not installed in The exact same spot will affect toe. Your camber kit will affect where the wheel is sitting ultimately affecting how far out of the rack the tie rod has to be to reach the knuckle. Both of those will cause the steering wheel to move to one side or the other. Just go get it aligned.
 
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