I had my front end aligned and they said all the suspension parts are good, but the steering wheel is still a little off center. How can I correct this?

 

They should have straightened your wheel when they aligned it. You just need to adjust your drag link and I should center right up.

Chuck

 

x2. What kinda place was it that couldn't take an extra 2 minutes to straighten up your wheel?? I wouldn't go there again, just my 2 cents.

If you look on your draglink (the rod that comes down off the pitman arm) there is a collar there. 15mm socket, loosen up the two nuts and then turn the collar until the wheel is straight, while your tires are facing forward. It's easy enough.

 

It was Belle tire here in MI. I looked at the Chilton's manual and it looked kinda complicated, but you make it seem easy. Thanks for the help!

 

It's real easy. I just did it to my '01. If your steering wheel is slightly clockwise while you're driving straight, turn the collar to make the link longer. Counter clockwise, make the link shorter. A deep well 15mm socket and a ratchet are the only tools you'll need.

 

Yah the wheel is about 5-10 degrees off on the highway. If I understood your directions, I should make the front wheels straight forward and loosen the nuts, turn the collar and look at the steering wheel to see if it's straight,right?

 

take it back you just paid some one for an alignment

 

yup thats all you do, it takes about 15 mins to do. A helper is nice so you dont have to get up to look at the steering wheel every time. Even the alignment shop had mine off ever so much, i had to turn it like 1/4 turn now the steering wheel is dead straight

 

There are two 15 mm bolts on the drag link collar - can't miss them, they are about four inches apart. Loosen them and if, when you are sitting in the seat, your wheel is too far clockwise, turn the collar toward you when laying in front of the car. By that I mean if you had your head next to the collar and facing the passenger side front tire, turn the collar counter-clockwise (leftwise).

If the wheel is too far clockwise, turn the collar towards to back end of the car. Again, if your head is next to the collar and you are looking at the passenger side front tire, turn the collar clockwise.

In either case, 1/4 of a turn will get about 3" of steering wheel rotation.

Snug up the bolts, test drive. When you're satisfied the wheel is correct, tighten the bolts with 50 pounds of torque.

Never go back to Belle Tire. Inexcuseable to let a car go out with a out-of-center steering wheel. Worse than amaturish, it is disrespectful. Makes you wonder what else they screwed up that you won't find out about until your tires are toast...and you're back at Belle Tire.

Just my 2 cents, but I'd get a helper and a clothe measuring tape and double check the toe-in. Without changing parts and a lot of aggravation, toe-in is the only thing you can adjust on an XJ.

In the future, come to this forum first, learn how to adjust toe-in, and do it yourself. It is pretty easy and you'll gain understanding of how your steering gear actually works.

BTW, don't do this adjustment with the wheels off the ground - it won't be accurate. Also, you really have to test drive to make sure it's where you want it. Eyeballing it in your driveway is likely to disappoint.

 

Awesome info from you and all! I'm in Dearborn where are you?

 

FYI, you can adjust caster alittle bit too with stock LCA's. Look at the back of your LCA mounts, there are 2 nuts that you can use to push you lca forward but you need a spacer to put in there or it will probably rip your mount. just thought i would add that.

 

isn't it supposed to be?

Highways are not level they have about 5-10 degrees of slope for drainage

You should test it on a straight, even road

 

I'm on a farm up in the Thumb...where God vacations.

 

I forgot about that...never tried it or looked at it, but I understand it can be done.

 

Near Yale? Just kidding