Chapter 17 Wheel Alignment Procedures 383 Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. wheel and install the steering wheel holder. Turn the igni- tion switch to the locked position. Note: Carefully position the steering wheel before installing the steering wheel holder. If the steering wheel is not centered correctly, it will be crooked when the vehicle is driven. Next, observe the toe readings on each side and decide what must be done to correct it. If centering the steering wheel causes the wheels to be severely toed to one side, the steering wheel may be improperly installed. Never attempt to adjust the toe to compensate for an incorrectly installed steering wheel. If the tie rod adjusters are moved excessively, they can cause the tie rod ends to bind. Th e lock bolts used on sleeve-type adjusters may con- tact the body and cause the steering to jam. If the tie rods are turned too far out, there may not be enough threads left to allow the tie rod locknuts or bolts to be properly tight- ened. Th e steering linkage may come apart when the vehicle is driven, causing an accident. If the steering wheel is off by more than about 1/8 of a turn (45°), check the steering linkage to ensure that there are no bent parts. Also make sure that someone else has not misadjusted the toe or that a steering component has not been improperly installed. If there are no serious prob- lems, it can usually be assumed that the steering wheel was improperly installed in the past. In this situation, it is usu- ally easier and safer to reposition the steering wheel than to change the alignment. Loosen the tie rod adjusting sleeve clamp bolts, Figure 17-51, or the tie rod locknuts, Figure 17-52. If the vehicle has a metal bar preventing sleeve movement, loosen its clamp or bend it out of the way. Th is bar is used during vehicle assembly and does not have to be reinstalled. Adjust toe by turning the sleeves or rods to obtain exactly half the needed toe on each wheel. If the toe is not divided exactly, the steering wheel will not be straight. Some vehicles have an adjustment on only one side of the linkage. If there is only one sleeve, the steering wheel cannot be cen- tered without removing the wheel. Always explain this to the customer before beginning the alignment. Some vehicles have two sleeves, one for adjusting toe, and one for centering the steering wheel. A vehicle with this adjustment design is shown in Figure 17-53. When adjust- ing this type of vehicle, always set the toe fi rst, and then cen- ter the steering wheel. Warning: Note how many turns of the sleeve or rod are needed to adjust the toe. If many turns are needed, make sure the rods or sleeves are not too far out of the mating parts to hold properly. All threaded steering parts should be threaded into their mating parts by about 1″ (2.54 mm) or at least eight threads. Many technicians prefer to center the steering wheel again once toe has been set. Th is is especially useful when the toe has been changed a great deal. If the toe is now dif- ferent on each side, reset it as necessary. If the toe is still equal on both sides, tighten the sleeve bolts or locknuts as applicable. Tie rod Adjusting sleeve Clamp Adjusting sleeve clamp bolts and nuts Ford Figure 17-51. Loosen the clamp bolts on the tie rod’s adjusting sleeve. Tie rod locknut Tie rod Wrench General Motors Figure 17-52. Loosening a tie rod locknut used with a rack- and-pinion steering assembly. Front axle Adjusting sleeve for centering steering wheel Pitman arm Drag link Tie rod end Steering arm Steering damper Tie rod tube Adjusting sleeve Moog Figure 17-53. A four-wheel drive front axle and steering linkage arrangement. Note the two adjusting sleeves: one for toe and one for centering the steering wheel.