I took my '02 3500 4x4 in to a shop for an alignment, because the steering wheel was tracking toward the passenger's side when steering straight down the road. The mechanic told me that the alignment was in spec, but that the steering wheel was off-center. He adjusted it.

Now the steering wheel tracks in the opposite direction, toward the driver's side. It's still off-center, just in the opposite way. How do I adjust the steering wheel on these vehicles? I've looked at the intermediate shaft and the box, and I've checked Dave Fritz's dodge.org, but can't find anything that looks relevant.

Thanks!

 

Don't know if this applies, but my uncle put in the front leveling blocks, and the dealer took off the steering wheel and straightened it that way. He has a '01

Mike

 

There is a way to make the adjustment for the steering wheel.
If you look under the front of the truck at the steering rod that hooks to steering box and to the tie rod shaft, you will see an adjustment on the steering rod. loosen both the bolts. and to make the steering wheel move to the left, turn the adjustment with the wrench hanging down word to the front of the and then upward. make sure to only turn a half turn at a time.OH... your adjustment will work better if the truck is running.
;D

 

WHOA!!!!!!

Fellas some need a lesson in steering and supension!

The only thing that makes the steering wheel straight is the toe adjustment!!!

It's an unskilled (LAZY) mechanics trick to adjust the steering shaft, with the steering wheel straight and toe set properly, the wheel will remain straight on flat roads or roads that are slightly crowned to the right, so if you drive a lot of interstate in the fast lane your steering wheel will be a little off because the road most likely crowns left.

Don't let those Stealers B.S you.

 

Hey Master Diver thanks for the tip. It helped me with my pull issue. I noticed my steering wheel was turned toward my pass. side and adjusted the toe-in and now my truck tracks striaght and my wheel is now centered.

Good info.

Anything I should look for since I adjusted it myself?

-CM

 

Just got back to this thread. Adjusted the rod and it helped, but it's still a bit off. You're saying that if I turn the toe-in adjusters on the tie rods 1/4 turn one way or the other, it'll make the difference? Not sure I want to take the truck into the loons around here and pay $80 for an alignment, that was the problem in the first place.

 

FYI to MASTER DRIVER....You do make adjustments to the steering by adjusting steering rod that hooks to steering box and to the tie rod shaft "on a 4x4". The only way that you can adjust the caster on a 4x4 is by the top and bottom knuckle that hold the hub assemble.