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Problems centering steering wheel

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Old Dec 28, 2013 | 08:21 AM
  #1  
joentuff's Avatar
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From: louisville
Default Problems centering steering wheel

I installed a synergy drag link and flipped it to the top of the knuckle, replaced the drop pitman arm with a factory one, now when I try to center the steering wheel it's as if there's not enough adjustment to make it small enough, I'm all the way in and it's still to big, does this seem right? 4 inch lift
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Old Dec 28, 2013 | 08:42 AM
  #2  
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From: Fayetteville, Arkansas
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Originally Posted by joentuff
I installed a synergy drag link and flipped it to the top of the knuckle, replaced the drop pitman arm with a factory one, now when I try to center the steering wheel it's as if there's not enough adjustment to make it small enough, I'm all the way in and it's still to big, does this seem right? 4 inch lift
How far is the Tie Rod end on the pitman side threaded in? I have a 3.5 lift & it worked well for me.
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Old Dec 28, 2013 | 08:52 AM
  #3  
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They are both all the way in, is there an adjustment on the steering box? Maybe the previous owner adjusted that ?
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Old Dec 28, 2013 | 09:06 AM
  #4  
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I found this on another forum maybe it will help.


"STEERING GEAR

NOTE: Adjusting the steering gear in the vehicle is not recommended. Remove gear from the vehicle and drain the fluid. Then mount gear in a vise to perform adjustments.

OVER-CENTER

1. Rotate the stub shaft from stop to stop and count the number of turns.
2. Center the stub shaft by rotating it from the stop 1/2 of the total amount of turns.
3. Place torque wrench in a vertical position on the stub shaft. Rotate the wrench 45 degrees each side of the center and record the highest rotational torque in this range. This is the Over-Center Rotating Torque.

NOTE: The stub shaft must rotate smoothly without sticking or binding.

4. Rotate the stub shaft between 90° and 180° to the left of center and record the left off-center preload. Repeat this to the right of center and record the right off-center preload. The average of these two recorded readings is the Preload Rotating Torque.
5. The Over-Center Rotating Torque should be 0.45-0.80 N·m (4-7 in. lbs.) higher than the Preload Rotating Torque.
6. If an adjustment to the Over-Center Rotating Torque is necessary, first loosen the adjuster lock nut. Then turn the pitman shaft adjuster screw back (COUNTERCLOCKWISE) until fully extended, then turn back in (CLOCKWISE) one full turn.
7. Remeasure Over-Center Rotating Torque. If necessary turn the adjuster screw and repeat measurement until correct Over-Center Rotating Torque is reached.

NOTE: To increase the Over-Center Rotating Torque turn the screw CLOCKWISE.

8. Prevent the adjuster screw from turning while tightening adjuster lock nut. Tighten the adjuster lock nut to 37-52 N·m (27-38 ft. lbs.)."
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Old Dec 28, 2013 | 09:08 AM
  #5  
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Maybe you could just move the pitman arm around. The above sounds like too much work.
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Old Dec 28, 2013 | 11:11 AM
  #6  
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Ncb
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Is the pitman arm centered with the steering wheel straight?
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Old Dec 28, 2013 | 11:47 AM
  #7  
planman's Avatar
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Originally Posted by Ncb
Is the pitman arm centered with the steering wheel straight?
X2. Re-index the pitman arm if it isn't straight.
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Old Dec 28, 2013 | 12:01 PM
  #8  
Sahara Lee's Avatar
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I believe my pitman arm can not be indexed. It is keyed to only fit one way.
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Old Dec 28, 2013 | 12:09 PM
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Don't believe they are keyed
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Old Dec 28, 2013 | 12:12 PM
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Their "keyed" but if I remember correctly its 90* rotational keyed meaning you can only put it in every 90*
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