"Good" Allingment/Steering Wheel Off Center
Question:
I recently put new 265/75’s on the stock 16×7 wheels on my ‘95 1/2 ton Sierra 4×4 replacing the original 245//75’s . I then got an alignment to save the rubber at Sears and since noticed the steering wheel is slightly off center to the left. When held on center the truck heads to the right but other wise when the truck is pointed straight it will continue straight. I brought it back to Sears and they realigned it only to have the same problem. The alignment seems fine but the steering wheel is not on center. Some people may not notice but I am very picky. I live in Massachusetts and just got the truck inspected so I am assuming the steering linkage has no worn parts and I also figure Sears would have noticed any problems. The truck only has 45k easy, non-four wheeling miles on it and the Bilstiens are only a few months old. My question is, why after two alignments is the steering wheel still off center to the left, and should the tire pressure be the same listed 45 psi going from 245’s to 265’s? I have made sure the tire pressure is equal all around and the tires feel to be balanced properly. Sorry so wordy, I would appreciate any advise.
Response:
> I recently put new 265/75’s on the stock 16×7 wheels on my ‘95 1/2 ton > Sierra 4×4 replacing the original 245//75’s . I then got an alignment to > save the rubber at Sears and since noticed the steering wheel is slightly > off center to the left. When held on center the truck heads to the right > but other wise when the truck is pointed straight it will continue straight. > I brought it back to Sears and they realigned it only to have the same > problem. The alignment seems fine but the steering wheel is not on center. > Some people may not notice but I am very picky.
FWIW: I have a similar problem with my suburban – recent alignment, tracks nice and straight when my hands are off the wheel, but wheel is just a tiny bit off to the left. I called the place that did the alignment and they told me to bring it back in – said that they’d center the wheel, that it should have been done as the final step of the alignment, but was probably adjusted just a little off and they’d re-do it. He said it was a while you wait, quick thing. Haven’t done it yet because it’s a very small irritation and I haven’t made the time to mess with it. Maybe Sears just needs adjust the steering wheel, not re-do the alignment? Dan
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I recently put new 265/75’s on the stock 16×7 wheels on my ‘95 1/2 ton > Sierra 4×4 replacing the original 245//75’s . I then got an alignment to > save the rubber at Sears and since noticed the steering wheel is slightly > off center to the left. When held on center the truck heads to the right > but other wise when the truck is pointed straight it will continue > straight. > I brought it back to Sears and they realigned it only to have the same > problem. The alignment seems fine but the steering wheel is not on > center. > Some people may not notice but I am very picky. > FWIW: I have a similar problem with my suburban – recent alignment, tracks > nice and straight when my hands are off the wheel, but wheel is just a tiny > bit off to the left. I called the place that did the alignment and they > told me to bring it back in – said that they’d center the wheel, that it > should have been done as the final step of the alignment, but was probably > adjusted just a little off and they’d re-do it. He said it was a while you > wait, quick thing. Haven’t done it yet because it’s a very small irritation > and I haven’t made the time to mess with it. Maybe Sears just needs adjust > the steering wheel, not re-do the alignment? > Dan
Yes, The steering wheel is splined onto a shaft and can be removed and re-centered if need be. db
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > I recently put new 265/75’s on the stock 16×7 wheels on my ‘95 1/2 ton > > Sierra 4×4 replacing the original 245//75’s . I then got an alignment > to > > save the rubber at Sears and since noticed the steering wheel is > slightly > > off center to the left. When held on center the truck heads to the > right > > but other wise when the truck is pointed straight it will continue > straight. > > I brought it back to Sears and they realigned it only to have the same > > problem. The alignment seems fine but the steering wheel is not on > center. > > Some people may not notice but I am very picky. > FWIW: I have a similar problem with my suburban – recent alignment, > tracks > nice and straight when my hands are off the wheel, but wheel is just a > tiny > bit off to the left. I called the place that did the alignment and they > told me to bring it back in – said that they’d center the wheel, that it > should have been done as the final step of the alignment, but was probably > adjusted just a little off and they’d re-do it. He said it was a while > you > wait, quick thing. Haven’t done it yet because it’s a very small > irritation > and I haven’t made the time to mess with it. Maybe Sears just needs > adjust > the steering wheel, not re-do the alignment? > Dan > Yes, > The steering wheel is splined onto a shaft and can be removed > and re-centered if need be. > db
don’t bet the farm on that. most have something, like a double spline or something else, that only allows the steering wheel to go on one way. when doing an alignment, the steering wheel should be centered and physically held in place BEFORE setting TOE.
Response:
When I went in for the second alignment I questioned one of Sear’s Techs about how the steering wheel is centered during an alignment and explained to him that otherwise the truck tracks true down the road. The Tech was not the one who performed the first alignment and claimed it was an easy fix. When this guy was done he said that in fact the steering wheel was not exactly centered and the proper adjustments had been performed, which I witnessed myself. I can supply the specs for someone that knows what they mean if need be. Thanks for the help.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > > I recently put new 265/75’s on the stock 16×7 wheels on my ‘95 1/2 ton > > > Sierra 4×4 replacing the original 245//75’s . I then got an alignment > to > > > save the rubber at Sears and since noticed the steering wheel is > slightly > > > off center to the left. When held on center the truck heads to the > right > > > but other wise when the truck is pointed straight it will continue > > straight. > > > I brought it back to Sears and they realigned it only to have the same > > > problem. The alignment seems fine but the steering wheel is not on > > center. > > > Some people may not notice but I am very picky. > > FWIW: I have a similar problem with my suburban – recent alignment, > tracks > > nice and straight when my hands are off the wheel, but wheel is just a > tiny > > bit off to the left. I called the place that did the alignment and they > > told me to bring it back in – said that they’d center the wheel, that it > > should have been done as the final step of the alignment, but was > probably > > adjusted just a little off and they’d re-do it. He said it was a while > you > > wait, quick thing. Haven’t done it yet because it’s a very small > irritation > > and I haven’t made the time to mess with it. Maybe Sears just needs > adjust > > the steering wheel, not re-do the alignment? > > Dan > Yes, > The steering wheel is splined onto a shaft and can be removed > and re-centered if need be. > db > don’t bet the farm on that. most have something, like a double spline or > something else, that only allows the steering wheel to go on one way. when > doing an alignment, the steering wheel should be centered and physically > held in place BEFORE setting TOE.
Response:
I then got an alignment to > save the rubber at Sears and since noticed the steering wheel is slightly
snipped… That’s your problem, you let those clowns work on your truck. I wouldn’t let them empty my ashtray. How do I know, ’cause I work for the Co. and I’m forced to have them work on my Co. van. The auto center alignment procedure is "set the toe and let it go". Find a local reputable shop that friends can recommend and stay out that place if your want quality work done. — John "Anything you say can & will be misquoted & used against you" ‘01 FLHR "Red" ‘99 XC 700 BRC HOG
Response:
thanks man, I had a feeling that was the case but was trying to avoid the extra cost.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I then got an alignment to > save the rubber at Sears and since noticed the steering wheel is slightly > snipped… > That’s your problem, you let those clowns work on your truck. I wouldn’t > let them empty my ashtray. How do I know, ’cause I work for the Co. and I’m > forced to have them work on my Co. van. The auto center alignment procedure > is "set the toe and let it go". Find a local reputable shop that friends > can recommend and stay out that place if your want quality work done. > — > John > "Anything you say can & will be misquoted & used against you" > ‘01 FLHR "Red" > ‘99 XC 700 > BRC HOG
Response:
Would the GMC dealer be a good place to take it?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> thanks man, I had a feeling that was the case but was trying to avoid the > extra cost. > I then got an alignment to > > save the rubber at Sears and since noticed the steering wheel is > slightly > snipped… > That’s your problem, you let those clowns work on your truck. I wouldn’t > let them empty my ashtray. How do I know, ’cause I work for the Co. and > I’m > forced to have them work on my Co. van. The auto center alignment > procedure > is "set the toe and let it go". Find a local reputable shop that friends > can recommend and stay out that place if your want quality work done. > — > John > "Anything you say can & will be misquoted & used against you" > ‘01 FLHR "Red" > ‘99 XC 700 > BRC HOG
