1st Gen. Ram - All Topics Discussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.

How to centre steering wheel?

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Old May 23, 2005 | 08:27 PM
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How to centre steering wheel?

I just replaced the drag-link with a moog today,(big day...steering coupler/KDP/draglink/belt tensioner wha-hoo she's gonna be new)but now my steering wheel is 30* off centre and there is no adjustment between the pitman arm and the steering knuckle,whats a boy to do?thanx
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Old May 23, 2005 | 08:33 PM
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From: New Holland, PA
I believe that's done with the tie rod.
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Old May 23, 2005 | 08:52 PM
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But the tie-rod is after the LH knuckle.

The pitman comes out the bottom of the steering sector,then goes unadjustably(new word) to the LH steering arm wich is cast as part of the steering knuckle So the LH wheels position is fixed directly to the pitman arm.all I can see is pulling the steering wheel and repositioning it,can this be??thanx
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Old May 23, 2005 | 11:08 PM
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From: South Western New Mexico
I think that is the only way to center the steering wheel on a 4x4. I loosen the steering wheel then drive it in a straight line in my yard, then set the wheel in center and tighten it down.
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Old May 23, 2005 | 11:34 PM
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From: Yuba city Kalifornia
you need an after market adustable drag link if your truck has a lift kit... if no lift kit something is wrong. if you take the steering wheel off and reposition it your turn signal will not turn off in the right spot and its a pita to keep remembering to turn it off all the time
Rebel
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Old May 24, 2005 | 04:45 AM
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My 89's steering wheel doesn't have a key way or slot on the steering shaft.. so the wheel can go on any way and all I gotta do is pull the wheel, put it on enough to drive it in a straight line, then position the wheel how I want it, tighten it down.. no problems with turn signal cancelling or whatever rebal was talking about. my 78 is the same but had a 85 that wasn't, it was keyed or slotted. Come to think of it, the ones that could go on any way were W models, the slotted one was a D model.
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Old May 24, 2005 | 05:40 AM
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From: FL
If the wheel is centered before something is changed then no longer center, just taking the wheel off and recentering it that way, doesn't it mena that the steering gear is slightly turned one way, so inesence you lose some turning radius on the side the wheel turned to orginally??
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Old May 24, 2005 | 09:57 AM
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It was centred with the factory draglink,with the moog draglink it is 3o* off,that is the only diference,the pitman is master plined at 45* intervals,I know all GM draglinks are adjustable for this reason,I have just never incountered this before.
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Old May 24, 2005 | 10:17 AM
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From: Golden, Colorado
adjust the steering shaft on the box, you should be able to turn it enough to line it up. Or the box itself jumped a tooth or something?
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Old May 24, 2005 | 11:24 PM
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From: Yakima,WA
Originally posted by 2500CTD
so inesence you lose some turning radius on the side the wheel turned to orginally??
You got it. The only right solution is an adjustable drag link. I made my own and have pics in my gallery.
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Old May 26, 2005 | 03:06 PM
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From: South of KC Kansas
I just got my 93 and the steering was fairly sloppy, (for me)

Would turn from 11 o'clock to 1 o'clock without anything at the wheels. It was all in the slip joint at the top of the steering box. Took apart and found it was just wore in the area where the tabs slide. . .. .

Cheap fix. Hammer and a vise. Took excess play out of coupler. NO MORE SLOP! Maybe compressed it about a 1/16 of an inch to get tight again. When I put back together the steering wheel was about 30 degrees off. Just pulled steering wheel off and lined up right. Tested blinkers after. Not enough of a change to cause any problems.

No cost in parts. . just time. The one thing I can afford.
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