Steering Wheel Off Center

Discussion in 'Renegade Stock Tech' started by Dan Wilson, Jan 2, 2020.

  1. Dan Wilson

    Dan Wilson New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2019
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    Location:
    Central Indiana
    Anybody know how to recenter the steering wheel? Our 2017 Latitude had the alignment done about 7k or 8k ago, and they didn't recenter the wheel. It is slightly off. I didn't notice it because I don't drive it often and my daughter is a relatively new driver, so she didn't think anything of it, either.

    Is there an easy way to do this? I looked around underneath and honestly, I don't recognize much with the steering system. I'm used to my JK and JL, which have a very simple way to fix this.

    I can take it back to the shop that did the alignment, but they'll keep it for two days because they are backed up with work. (They are great guys, but slow.)

    Any help would be appreciated!

    Thanks!
     
  2. IDoMy0wnRacing

    IDoMy0wnRacing Well-Known Member

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    No, don't do it.

    Take it back to the alignment shop. It is called 'Clear Vision' when the steering wheel is out of alignment.

    They just didn't have the steering wheel straight when they adjusted the toe.

    If you were to remove the steering wheel and put it back on straight, you will loose some of your steering. i.e. it will turn more in one direction than the other because the adjustment is off in the Rack & Pinion, and not just in the steering wheel.
    … And then there is the airbags that you would have to contend with, and the steering wheel controls.

    The alignment shop should not charge you to correct their fault.
     
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  3. Dan Wilson

    Dan Wilson New Member

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    Central Indiana
    They won't charge me. I just don't want to leave it with them as long as they'll want it.

    On my solid front axle vehicles, it is really easy to adjust. I was hoping these would have maybe a bolt head or something I could turn from underneath to straighten it out and fine tune it.
     
  4. zuke

    zuke Active Member

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    Yeah, it's a lot easier on a solid axle jeep, where you can just adjust the length of the drag link to center the steering wheel.

    It's much more difficult on an IFS jeep with Rack and Pinion. You adjust it using the tie rod ends from the rack and pinion to the knuckles, but as Ed notes above, it needs to be straight before the toe in is set on the front end, because any change with the tie rods now will affect the front toe...
     
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