Thanks. I agree with that the shop should have done it, but it is really close. I do understand the process, but I know I will be second guessing how to do it. Let me see if I can ask an AI to make instructions.
That is what a smart person would do. I've never been accused of that!
It's 1.5 hours away, so I'm looking at 3 hours minimum assuming they can get it done in no time at all. I'm going to wait a bit. I know it's not going to fix itself, but I only have about 120 miles on the shocks, so I'll let them settle a bit and probably take it back so they can check the torque and fix the steering wheel.
I think my alignment is good just the steering wheel is a bit off. A little turn of the tie rod ends should fix it, but I'm a little intimidated by the job. I'm afraid that I'll turn it the wrong way or not perfectly the same. I need to take a closer look at it to wrap my head around it.
It may be easier to make an adjustment at the steering shaft u-joint. The splines on the u-joint are extremely small...separate the u-joint from the shaft & jump the steering shaft one spline.
I'm definitely not confident enough to do that. There is also that display that shows steering angle that I would be afraid to mess up. The adjustment I need to make is less than one degree because when I center it to being straight, it still shows 0 degrees. It's actually probably less that 0.5 degrees, which I think indicates that I might be OCD.
OCD or not, the steering wheel should be perfectly centered. I’m sure you won’t be the first one to take one back because of this. just take it back when you have a chance, I’m sure your alignment is probably OK otherwise. I would though call and tell them you need to bring it back to get the steering wheel centered so they remember who you are.
Lol, it would drive me nuts as well. The steering u-joint method is going to be much easier than trying to adjust the tie rods and still keep the alignment. There's one bolt that locks the u-joint to the shafts. Set the wheel exactly where you like it, disconnect the u-joint, double check the wheel is where you like it then turn the lower half of the steering shaft one spline then check the wheel. The splines are very very small...one spline probably less than one degree.
Well, unless there’s 360 spines, they are more than 1°. I have tried exactly what you’re talking about and it’s surprising how much it moves the steering wheel by just moving one spline.
I must of been at the perfect spot when I did mine after I installed new coil overs, UCAs and tie rods. Wheel was off ever so slightly and one spline did the trick. Centered the wheel where I wanted it and rotated the lower shaft and u-joint.
Exactly what I did. A small turn in the correct direction leveled the steering wheel.
And that’s exactly what the alignment shop will do if the OP doesn’t feel confident in doing it himself.
