Steering wheel not straight - Help

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AZEngineer

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I never have my cars aligned at a firestone or any other chain shop. I usually take my cars to a specialty shop or race shop where they tend to have high end machines and are use to doing precise jobs. Yes, these shops charge more but they also do a better job. And they tend not to have ******** jobs that just bore their mechanics.

I completely agree. $50 more in an area like this makes all the difference....joe
 

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If my right steering knuckle was slightly bent, would that make my steering wheel crooked to the point that they can't get it straight? Or just off on alignment?
 

redwreck

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I had this same problem. I threw in a Ford Raptor Alignment Cam Kit and it still couldn't get enough adjustment out of it. So I bought new knuckles and uca's. Still didn't fix the problem. I ended up having to put it on the frame bench and pull the frame back into spec. This may not be your problem just sharing my experience. I do have a set of uca's and knuckles for sale they came off a friends pickup with less than 100 hwy miles on them.


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jondle

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I was just going to say try alignment cams. They might help, but I'm not sure. If nothing else, they help maintain alignment once you get this fixed.
 

ALDABRAMAN

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Yeah, I guess I need to try another Firestone or just see if I can ask around who does a good job on alignments and pay for it regardless. Then contact Firestone corporate if they will pay for me going elsewhere.....
* My experience and thoughts, take it back to the Ford dealership, they need to fix it. My experience is when you take something that is a warranty or factory problem, the only leverage you have is those surveys from cooperate! I have had several events with poor quality or sloppy work, those surveys seem to have value. When the lady calls from the dealership, tell her and ask why? My last experience was a simple piece of plastic that needed replaced under warranty. The part arrived within several days. No one called me for 47 days. I truly thought Ford simply blew me off and hoped i forgot, LOL. When the service guy finally called i was shocked and asked him why so long, he said he forgot! When the survey called, I explained the extreme delay..........after all the apologies (********) she sent me a free oil change. I always purchase new trucks ever two or three years, Ford has been very sloppy and careless, causing damage several times (like all four of my SVT rims / they replaced all four). The only reason i keep going to them is because they fear negative publicity and you have leverage to hold them accountable!
 
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I was just going to say try alignment cams. They might help, but I'm not sure. If nothing else, they help maintain alignment once you get this fixed.


I had those on my truck since the first week I owned it, when I did mid perch.

e7e79ce6183e7ae577a0e9ee67c15357.jpg


---------- Post added at 01:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:09 PM ----------

* My experience and thoughts, take it back to the Ford dealership, they need to fix it. My experience is when you take something that is a warranty or factory problem, the only leverage you have is those surveys from cooperate! I have had several events with poor quality or sloppy work, those surveys seem to have value. When the lady calls from the dealership, tell her and ask why? My last experience was a simple piece of plastic that needed replaced under warranty. The part arrived within several days. No one called me for 47 days. I truly thought Ford simply blew me off and hoped i forgot, LOL. When the service guy finally called i was shocked and asked him why so long, he said he forgot! When the survey called, I explained the extreme delay..........after all the apologies (********) she sent me a free oil change. I always purchase new trucks ever two or three years, Ford has been very sloppy and careless, causing damage several times (like all four of my SVT rims / they replaced all four). The only reason i keep going to them is because they fear negative publicity and you have leverage to hold them accountable!


I am pretty sure I bent my steering knuckle at Raptoberfest. I can't see how that would be warranty work. I am buying a used set with Outlaw gussets to see if this resolves the issue. I have to pay to play and the fun so far is worth it to me.
 

ALDABRAMAN

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I had those on my truck since the first week I owned it, when I did mid perch.

e7e79ce6183e7ae577a0e9ee67c15357.jpg


---------- Post added at 01:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:09 PM ----------




I am pretty sure I bent my steering knuckle at Raptoberfest. I can't see how that would be warranty work. I am buying a used set with Outlaw gussets to see if this resolves the issue. I have to pay to play and the fun so far is worth it to me.

* LOL, in that case i totally agree! Have fun!
 

M64D RAPTOR

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they didn't center the rack prior to the alignment. had the same problem and brought it back to Ford They did it correctly when I told them what they did
 

glamisbound

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The fact that you took it back for a second try and they give you the same answer means they are probably really havin an issue with it. I know my uca and tie rods are due to be replaced, and I have to jam my lca bolts as far as they go toward center to try and reach a proper alignment. Its to the point where there is no more adjustment left. Your on the right track with thinkin a bent steering knuckle.
 
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Actually I took it a step further. I purchased replacement knuckles with Outlaw gussets, that was a given. But I also just purchased ICON's UCA that is adjustable for better caster and camber. I am hoping that it has nothing to do with the frame as @redwreck mentioned.
 
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