Here's a problem I've been ignoring on my 308, but I do want to fix it at some point and want to know how. With the front wheels pointing forward and car going straight, the steering wheel is not centered. It's probably 40 degrees or so clockwise so that one of the wheel spokes blocks the view of the left side of the instrument binnacle. As a quick fix, I unscrewed the wheel from the hub and re-attached it off by one screw hole the other direction. Now the wheel is about 10 degrees CCW of center, but at least I can see all the instruments. The main problem with this is that the turn signal cancellation mechanism doesn't work right but I can live with it for now. So...how do I fix this? The wheel hub is keyed and (I think) so are the u-joint connections from the column to the rack. Do I straighten the wheel and adjust the tie rods? I need to do my suspension bushings too so maybe I'll do that first then just take it to an alignment shop. Thoughts?
Yes (but verify that you still have reasonable engagement between the tie rod ends and the steering rack ends after the adjustment -- if you can't achieve both conditions, that would be bad )
You adjust this at the tie rod ends once you've gotten it close at the wheel like you've stated you already did. I wouldn't worry too much about the amount of threads, you'll be surprised how little you need to move them in order to fix this small amount of offset wheel. I'd bet it takes less than 1 turn total on each tie rod. You can actually adjust them without removing the wheels or even jacking up the car. At full left turn, you can reach around the front of the left tire and adjust the tie rod end. Same on the other side at full right turn. You just need two wrenches and something to turn the rod with once it's loose. First, put a piece of tape on the tie rod to mark a spot so you'll know how much you've moved it and be able to return it to original if you mess it up or go the wrong direction. Assuming your front toe is correct, move each tie rod an equal number of turns and it won't upset the toe. I'd start with 1/2 to 1 turn on each side and see what that does to the wheel. Remember to re-tighten the nut at the tie rod end before you go test drive. I've done this 3 different times now after messing with suspension and steering. It's quite simple once you see how it works and can visualize which direction to turn the tie rod to get the desired effect. Good luck.
Brilliant! I was worried about messing up the toe if I started monkeying with this. Marking the starting point so I know exactly how much I'm turning makes total sense. Are both tie rods right-hand threaded? How tight does the lock nut need to be?
Centered steering wheel is important but also is the ability of the steering wheel to turn CW and CCW, within 1/8 turn. On a non-power steering car, slightly lifting a few hundred pounds weight off the front end by lifting makes for an easier job until reaching the final adjustments. How mal-adjusted steering wheel came about is curious...double check the soundness off rack bushings, mounting and end-rod.
