Question: Steering Wheel Position??

[Donne Trav]

I had the steering rack & pinion replaced over 2 months ago. Ever since the the first day from repair, I've kinda wondered if the steering wheel was "centered" properly. The steering wheel always appears to be cocked" more to the right slightly than in a centered position. My question is: how can I make sure the steering wheel is perfect "TDC" as it should be and not just my imagination? Thank you.​

 

[LLC5]

I had the steering rack & pinion replaced over 2 months ago. Ever since the the first day from repair, I've kinda wondered if the steering wheel was "centered" properly. The steering wheel always appears to be cocked" more to the right slightly than in a centered position. My question is: how can I make sure the steering wheel is perfect "TDC" as it should be and not just my imagination? Thank you.​

The steering wheel should be centered when driving unless the road surface has a high crown in it, then it will be slightly to the left, not to the right, as you describe. A full alignment should have been performed after the rack was replaced, if not have it done asap. If an alignment was done, then it needs to go back to the shop and have them center the steering wheel. Good luck with it.

 

[Donne Trav]

Thanks for the reply, but with that said, where is the adjustment made, under the
hood or by removing the steering wheel & rotating it a "cog" or two? Thanks again.

 

[LLC5]

Thanks for the reply, but with that said, where is the adjustment made, under the
hood or by removing the steering wheel & rotating it a "cog" or two? Thanks again.

Before any adjustment to center the steering wheel are made, the alignment needs to be spot on, so as stated previously if an alignment wasn't done after the rack was replaced then do the alignment first.

To answer your question though, to center the steering wheel (after first knowing the alignment is correct) the tie rod ends need to be rotated the same direction and the exact same distance (usaully about 1/4-1/2 flats on the tie rod ends depending how far off the wheel is) until centered. This is done under the front of the vehicle. The wheel can look straight on an alignment rack, and it will be , but driving it on the street may show that you need to adjust it a little more to compensate for the crown in the roads. Good luck with it.