When I bought this truck last summer, the alignment was off and the truck pulled to the side. The shop told me something was probably bent because when they aligned it for the truck to stay straight, the steering wheel sits turned to the left slightly. I was just wondering if anyone knew what could possibly be bent underneath. I know my buddy when he had this truck hit something when he went off road but it didn't bother him. I would just like to fix it simply because I want the steering wheel sitting straight and not having to compensate by overturning the wheel while driving.

Nothing else is affected by this. If this sounds confusing I can try and go take a picture of this in a few.

 

I guess something could be bent, but since they were able to get it into alignment, I doubt it. And they ought to know that there is an adjustment for the steering wheel on the drag link that goes from your pitman arm to the steering knuckle on the passenger side. It's a sleeve adjustment- you simply loosen the two bolts and then turn that adjuster one way or the other depending on which way you need to adjust the steering wheel. Retighten the two bolts on the sleeve, and you're good to go. This will not affect your alignement either.

Honestly, they should have done this for you. I've had to adjust mine periodically over the course of the years, even though my truck has always had a perfect alignment.

 

yeah i know, i might just take it somewhere around here now that i left CO. i actually bought it from a buddy of mine who was at ft. carson. and crazy enough, i'll be getting stationed out there at the end of this year or early next year.

if i can do this correctly, i am going to upload a pic i just took to show the steering wheel as it is sitting in the parking space.

nevermind, i can't figure out how to post pictures yet.

 

Here's a picture to help out too. The sleeve that you need to adjust is between the #1 and the #2 arrows in this picture (between the pitman arm and the drag link). I forgot to ask you if it was a 4x4 or a 2wd. This pic is for the 4x4, but a 2wd has a similar adjustement if I recall correctly.

Let me know when you get to CO, i'll introduce you to Rocky Mountain Rams.

 

cool man i appreciate the image. if i can get out there today i'll try and fix it. i'm assuming its a two man job and can use my wife to hold the steering wheel while i loosen the bolts?

 

You can do it yourself, you just need to go back and forth and keep checking it until you get it like you want it. If the wife will help, even better. Make sure you put the key in the ignition and turn it to unlock the steering wheel before you begin. And start with your tires perfectly straight.

 

so in between #1 and #2 there is an assembly that appears on the diagram, that is where i'll find the bolts to loosen?

 

Yup. Two bolts if I recall correctly, then you have to turn the sleeve one way or another, then retighten the bolts.

 

Yes, it's an adjusting sleeve. Spray it down with some good penetrating oil, get a couple wrenches for the bolts and a nice big pair of channel locks to turn the sleeve.

 

awesome, i really appreciate the input. yeah i just ran out there to take a look underneath and the bolts are right there in the center with easy access just behind the bumper. is there any torque spec for these bolts, or just hand tighten as much as possible?

when i get some time to do this i hope this will solve the problem. it seems like it will though.