I have an 04 new body style supercab with a 2.5" level and 35" tires. At first the steering wheel was off center to the left when I took in to get aligned. After it was aligned the steering wheel is now off center to the right. The alignment is within specs. I have had it back to the shop the and they tried to center the steering wheel with no luck. Does anyone know what might be going?

 

Take it to a better alignment shop.

 

I'ld say "X2" except it cost money you've already paid this time.

If they can't figure it out fast, I'ld sure go elsewhere next time.

I mean .... you have to wonder if they can't center a steering wheel, how good is their alignment?

Look at your tie rod ends where the link from the R&P enters it, there's a lock nut too. Can you see threads on both sides (left and right)?

The steering wheel is off center to the right at present you say?

The steering rack is ahead of the front spindle.

That means to move the steering wheel back left without making the truck steer left, the left side tie rod end has to be screwed IN (shortened up) and the right side has to be screwed OUT (lengthened) the exact same amount in order to not change toe adjustment (assuming it is correct).

A little bit makes a big difference. It requires precise marking of the tie rod end near the nut and the link on the other side of the nut towards the rack. Turning "one flat" (1/6 turn) makes a noticeable difference. Hard to beliebve they can't do it.

If you have threads showing on the driver's side like below, it can be adjusted. If no threads show on the pass side, it's because they adjusted toe using just one side and never tried to center the wheel.

 

I'd be willing to bet that they just adjusted from one side. Honestly how good of an alignment do you think you got if they didn't even make sure the steering wheel was set straight.

 

+2, I'd also question the whole alignment.

 

Well I went to another shop early this morning. It ended up being they aligned it wrong. They had it within specs but the wheels where slightly pointed to the right. Thanks for the input guys.

 

Honestly my guess is what their problem was is that they broke the tie rod nuts loose and didn't re straigten the steering wheel after they pried on the tie rods. They could of also printed the specs before they tighten the nuts down. A lot of factors go into that.

 

So, I was right .... they adjusted on one side and you had to pay two shops to get one alignment?

The second shop did what I said the first should do.

 

If you align the truck with the steering will turned a little bit, just by chance unnoticed and then everything tighted back up once aligned your wheel will be off. I ran into this after i put my suspension lift on. still havent fixed it yet, but my alignment is fine. just have to loosen , center, align and tighten again. problem solved