Steering wheel adjustment

[skoller]

The steering wheel on my Puma is off centre after coming back from the stealers for the pulling to the left problem (it wasnt fixed). I have found out though the Puma w/s manual that to correct this, the Sector Shaft Arm Drag Link length needs to be about 924mm. Mine is about 913mm. If I adjust this does it affect the wheel alignment. I do not want to take it back,as we all know,most are not very competant at anything slightly technical.

[rainman]

Assuming the Puma is the same as the Tdi, then adjusting your drag link (so the front tube) will only change the position of your steering wheel relative to the position of the road wheels. The track rod (behind the diff) adjusts the wheel alignment.

James.

[JDNSW]

As Rainman says. Adjusting the drag link will not affect the wheel alignment. However, a change in steering wheel position may be an indicator that one or both of the panhard rod (the link that stops the axle moving sideways) bushes is loose, and you should check this while you are at it.

John

[landroverwa]

Hi Skoller,
This may be something obvious that you have already checked, but if the steering wheel was off during the earlier work it is possible that the steering wheel itself has been remounted off-centre? Rather than a problem with the steering components...

Should be straightforward to check by aligning road wheels straight ahead.

Good luck,
landroverwa

[TeamFA]

Skoller, could you let me know how you go with this?

Our '02 110 steering wheel has been off-centre since we've had it, and although it's not a major drama, it's a bit annoying.

I've read through my workshop manual, but can't find a reference to the Sector Shaft Arm Drag Link, though the panhard rod is mentioned.

[harro]

Skoller, could you let me know how you go with this?

Our '02 110 steering wheel has been off-centre since we've had it, and although it's not a major drama, it's a bit annoying.

I've read through my workshop manual, but can't find a reference to the Sector Shaft Arm Drag Link, though the panhard rod is mentioned.


If the vehicle has been lifted this puts the steering wheel off centre.
I found it easier to remove the steering wheel and turn it than to adjust the drag link.

Cheers,
Paul.

[rainman]

Skoller, could you let me know how you go with this?

Our '02 110 steering wheel has been off-centre since we've had it, and although it's not a major drama, it's a bit annoying.

I've read through my workshop manual, but can't find a reference to the Sector Shaft Arm Drag Link, though the panhard rod is mentioned.

The "sector shaft arm drag link" Skoller refers to is the arm or rod that goes from the Pittman arm (:angel:), which is the arm that comes down from the steering box on the right hand side, and runs across in front of the diff to the arm on the back of hub on the left side.

It has a right hand thread in one end and and left hand thread in the other. If you loosen the clamps on both ends and then turn the rod, you will either shorten or lengthen the distance between the Pittman arm and the left wheel (and subsequently the right wheel). This should (assuming your road wheels stay still) turn your steering wheel. Have a bit of a play until the steering wheel is straight and then MAKE SURE YOU RE-TIGHTEN THE CLAMPS. Doing this only effects the steering wheel relationship to the road wheels, so you don't need to worry about ruining your wheel alignment.

The only concern with doing this, other than making sure you tighten the clamps back up, is if for some reason (like your drag link is bent) you wind it out too much, meaning there is very little thread left in contact with the ball joint ends. From memory there is about one and a half to two inches of thread though, so it would have to be really bent to be a problem.

James.

[skoller]

I successfully straightened my steering wheel by adjusting the Sector Shaft Arm Drag Link (there must be a shorter name for it) by doing what some of the replies stated , but make sure you unlock your steering lock first. I didnt and wondered why the adjusting was getting a bit hard.The steering was hard up against the lock.

[rainman]

make sure you unlock your steering lock first. I didnt and wondered why the adjusting was getting a bit hard.The steering was hard up against the lock.

Ha ha! :) That's a trap for young players. I hadn't thought of that.