Crooked steering wheel

[Turbogoat324]

Hey guys! This last weekend I took the truck out to the desert for some camping and offroading. Before going I had installed some SVC outter tie rods and once I was done the wheel was crooked so I got an alignment and it drove straight with a straight wheel. After getting off the trail last weekend my wheel is crooked back to the same spot as before the alignment. The 12 o’clock stripe is now in the 1-2 o’clock position. I checked underneath and although I did find a torn cv boot, I don’t see any impact or bends in any tie rods. The truck still drives pretty darn straight. The trail wasn’t anything crazy with only a few bigger bumps, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas? I can’t imagine the rack skipped a tooth but anyway to check? Or should I just get it realigned? Thanks for any insight!

 

[PorterW1111]

Hey guys! This last weekend I took the truck out to the desert for some camping and offroading. Before going I had installed some SVC outter tie rods and once I was done the wheel was crooked so I got an alignment and it drove straight with a straight wheel. After getting off the trail last weekend my wheel is crooked back to the same spot as before the alignment. The 12 o’clock stripe is now in the 1-2 o’clock position. I checked underneath and although I did find a torn cv boot, I don’t see any impact or bends in any tie rods. The truck still drives pretty darn straight. The trail wasn’t anything crazy with only a few bigger bumps, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas? I can’t imagine the rack skipped a tooth but anyway to check? Or should I just get it realigned? Thanks for any insight!

it sounds like a "loose" lower control arm bolt. Its likely that the alignment shop didnt get the lower adjustment bolt as tight as possibly needed and the lower arm moved. this is a very common side effect of off roading with factory lower alignment bolts. it is highly recommended to either do alignment cams, or a full slot delete/uca if you want to make sure it never moves again.

 

[PorterW1111]

the quick 80% solution that will likely be the best option for you.
https://sdhqoffroad.com/products/10-current-ford-raptor-alignment-cam-kit


the 150% solution that you will never have an issue again.
https://krazyhousecustoms.com/gen-2-ford-raptor-slot-delete-kit/

 

[CoronaRaptor]

it sounds like a "loose" lower control arm bolt. Its likely that the alignment shop didnt get the lower adjustment bolt as tight as possibly needed and the lower arm moved. this is a very common side effect of off roading with factory lower alignment bolts. it is highly recommended to either do alignment cams, or a full slot delete/uca if you want to make sure it never moves again.

Sound advice!! Shouldn't need the slot delete for going camping though, lol

 

[PorterW1111]

Sound advice!! Shouldn't need the slot delete for going camping though, lol

what does that word "need" mean? ive never heard of it before...

 

[Turbogoat324]

I actually have the sdhq cam alignment tabs but would a loose alignment tab on the control arm effect the steering wheel position? I thought that was more due to tie Rods?

 

[Dustan]

Did they plug into the OBD port and do a reset with the wheel calibration. When I got mine aligned they said sometimes it takes a couple tries to do the calibration

 

[dreys]

You might want to chat with this guy, sounds as you both have a similar issue:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBYLIUkMZylBbgLw4QeurdQ

 

[Peterb]

might be loose lock nuts on the tie rods, happened to me

 

[PorterW1111]

I actually have the sdhq cam alignment tabs but would a loose alignment tab on the control arm effect the steering wheel position? I thought that was more due to tie Rods?

Well it’s unlikely the cams moved. But if they did then yes the wheel could now be crooked as that side is now “shorter” than the tie rod. So it would be the same as if you had turned the wheel that same amount... again in theory. Just think of everything as a triangle when one side gets shorter the other gets longer.


I would bet it’s unlikely anything bent or broke. 9/10 shops I have been to I have never left satisfied. Sometimes just a forgivable mistake sometimes people are just dumb. I would feel it’s highly probable that since you got the alignment done right before, that the lower shifted.