inner tie rod change...

[Scottybones]

Put it back together and the steering wheel is turned a little right when the tires are straight. Got the alignment done and he said nothing he can do and he called it a loose something or other. Any thoughts on how to fix?

 

[CactusJacked]

Yes, tighten up or replace the something or the other. Rather hard to give a definite solution without knowing what the problem is. Maybe you can go back and ask the guy what is loose, and write it down.

 

[Scottybones]

It wasn't a loose part. Whatever the "condition"was is called a loose rack or front end or something like that. He told me maybe the inner tie rods, but they are obviously brand new. Could it be the rack? I'm going to be pissed since I was debating swapping the rack or just the tie rods.

 

[CactusJacked]

Could be worn/sloppy rubber rack mounts, could be other stuff. Try looking under the front while a buddy turns the steering wheel left & right, as you watch to see what may be giving where it shouldn't.

 

[Scottybones]

So how do I fix the alignment of the steering wheel? It was good before I changed the inner ties. Is it worth going to another shop?

 

[tommudd]

So how do I fix the alignment of the steering wheel? It was good before I changed the inner ties. Is it worth going to another shop?

I would get a second opinion if it was me.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Sounds like a second opinion would be a good idea. I just replaced my inner tie rods and the shop had no problem aligning it and my rack ain't new.

 

[Scottybones]

Sounds like a second opinion would be a good idea. I just replaced my inner tie rods and the shop had no problem aligning it and my rack ain't new.

When you put it back together did you have the same issue as mine or was the steering wheel straight? I feel like I screwed something up.

 

[CactusJacked]

Sounds like your guy is a bit inept, if he can't know whether it's the rack or a bad tie rod end causing the slop. No, you didn't screw anything up, the guy doing the alignment apparently didn't want to mess with it more. To straighten the steering wheel, you can either crank in or out the tie rod end on one side, while going the opposite direction with the other side. This can be done on either the inner or outer tie rod ends, but it will negatively affect your toe-in if not done right. Inept part 2, your guy was to straighten out the steering wheel first, then do the alignment.

 

[Scottybones]

Sounds like your guy is a bit inept, if he can't know whether it's the rack or a bad tie rod end causing the slop. No, you didn't screw anything up, the guy doing the alignment apparently didn't want to mess with it more. To straighten the steering wheel, you can either crank in or out the tie rod end on one side, while going the opposite direction with the other side. This can be done on either the inner or outer tie rod ends, but it will negatively affect your toe-in if not done right. Inept part 2, your guy was to straighten out the steering wheel first, then do the alignment.

Roger all. There's a good alignment shop in town that I'll have to bring it to when I get some money. Thanks

 

[HoosierJeeper]

When you put it back together did you have the same issue as mine or was the steering wheel straight? I feel like I screwed something up.

Mine was completely screwed up, barely driveable. Aligned it, back to normal.

 

[jeeplib05]

My alignment was set to exact spec even at 3 1/4" lift
No Al's arms, tie rods and everything else looks to be fine except the driver's side LCA ball joint boot has a slight tear in it
But, my steering wheel is crooked and it drives me crazy!
I try to ignore it but I'm OCD about it not being perfectly in the center
I guess I just have to live with it, since things are all at a different angle and shops try to charge $800 for two ball joints
There's nothing I can really do

 

[tommudd]

My alignment was set to exact spec even at 3 1/4" lift
No Al's arms, tie rods and everything else looks to be fine except the driver's side LCA ball joint boot has a slight tear in it
But, my steering wheel is crooked and it drives me crazy!
I try to ignore it but I'm OCD about it not being perfectly in the center
I guess I just have to live with it, since things are all at a different angle and shops try to charge $800 for two ball joints
There's nothing I can really do

They can get the steering wheel centered if they take their time and do it right , some places just don't care

 

[jeeplib05]

They told me that since my ball joint was torn that it was going to cause the steering wheel to not be straight

 

[HoosierJeeper]

If it's torn and therefore filled with dirt and worn out, they wouldn't be able to align it period, it wouldn't hold an alignment. It's BS to be able to align it and then say that ball joint is preventing the wheel from being straight. Setting the steering angle is a bit separate from an alignment I believe, part of the procedure but it's its own adjustment of sorts I think.

 

[sota]

They told me that since my ball joint was torn that it was going to cause the steering wheel to not be straight

You're lucky. Guess what happens when the steering wheel is far enough out of alignment even if the vehicle goes down the road straight, on an 07? Stablility Control kicks in like a maniac. Luckily it was only a 3 mile drive but every time I tried to steer right over 30mph random wheels would be locking up as the computer thought I was going to tip over or something.

Go back, and kindly ask them to align the wheel. If you get any more Broadway Showtunes out of the guy, ask for a refund as he clearly doesn't know what he's doing and didn't do the job correctly. Then NEVER go to that place again. Even my local Firestone dealer isn't that inept.

 

[tommudd]

They told me that since my ball joint was torn that it was going to cause the steering wheel to not be straight

:happy175:

 

[jeeplib05]

You're lucky. Guess what happens when the steering wheel is far enough out of alignment even if the vehicle goes down the road straight, on an 07? Stablility Control kicks in like a maniac. Luckily it was only a 3 mile drive but every time I tried to steer right over 30mph random wheels would be locking up as the computer thought I was going to tip over or something.

Go back, and kindly ask them to align the wheel. If you get any more Broadway Showtunes out of the guy, ask for a refund as he clearly doesn't know what he's doing and didn't do the job correctly. Then NEVER go to that place again. Even my local Firestone dealer isn't that inept.

I actually got 6 months of alignments for $60 so I go in whenever I need one
The wheel was going to the left after the first two, then I took it to them again and then it was to the right :happy175:
He said "Since it's lifted and you have a torn ball joint, it's going to have play and it won't be perfectly straight.. but if it bothers you bring it back"
I just haven't bothered going back although I should

 

[tommudd]

I actually got 6 months of alignments for $60 so I go in whenever I need one
The wheel was going to the left after the first two, then I took it to them again and then it was to the right :happy175:
He said "Since it's lifted and you have a torn ball joint, it's going to have play and it won't be perfectly straight.. but if it bothers you bring it back"
I just haven't bothered going back although I should

In Toledo I had the perfect place that did a bunch of alignments for me ( on ones we lifted ) They always did a great job.
Came down here to C-bus and still looking for a good place. Had the 03 into 4 places now and each screwed it up worse than the one before . Finally stood at the door and told the guy what to do, he cussed me several times, but guess what...its right now

 

[J33Pfan]

sounds like you didnt count the turns on the tie rod sleeves correctly when you installed the new ones.

just force the steering wheel straight. look at which wheel is out too far. Look at the tie rod sleeves to see if there is excess space in the sleeve. remove that tie rod and turn it in or out to look similar to the other one.

you can check youtube for how to do your own alignment to get the wheels straight then go back to get your real alignment done. i've never done this on a jeep, but tie rods are tie rods.

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