Steering Wheel Not Aligned

[sam_d]

I noticed yesterday that the steering wheel on my Disco isn't aligned nicely.

By that I mean that when I am driving in a straight line the steering centres itself nicely but that the steering wheel isn't at what I would call a centred position. Putting the steering wheel in a centred position causes the car to gently steer to the right.

I had the ball joints replaced recently (might this have something to do with it?) but I'm now a few hundred kilometers away from the people who did that. I didn't notice the steering issue as it was only yesterday that I started driving on a straight bit of road for the first time rather than on city streets.

Is this something that can be fixed on the road or at an alignment place or something?

Thanks in advance!

[loanrangie]

Were any tie rods replaced ?
Its easy to undo the tie rod on the steering arm and either wind out or in depending which direction you need and how much thread is available.

[sam_d]

Were any tie rods replaced ?
Its easy to undo the tie rod on the steering arm and either wind out or in depending which direction you need and how much thread is available.

No, not as far as I know. The only this that was changed on anything to do with the steering etc was the ball joints.

[onebob]

An easy fix whilst on the road. Find a flat level area and drive in a straight line to align the wheels. Loosen the clamp on the steering drag link and turn the adjuster to shorten or lengthen the drag link rod - observe whether the steering wheel moves clockwise or anticlockwise and adjust accordingly. When happy with the wheel position lock the drag rod adjuster clamp and test drive..[emoji1360]

[sam_d]

An easy fix whilst on the road. Find a flat level area and drive in a straight line to align the wheels. Loosen the clamp on the steering drag link and turn the adjuster to shorten or lengthen the drag link rod - observe whether the steering wheel moves clockwise or anticlockwise and adjust accordingly. When happy with the wheel position lock the drag rod adjuster clamp and test drive..[emoji1360]

Cracking! Thanks!

[Eevo]

i would go for a wheel alignment. leave it to the people who do it every day for a job

[loanrangie]

Track rod doesn't affect the steering wheel angle, that is done on the steering rod or steering input shaft.

[whitey56]

My cross bar is also out after replacing the short end on the drag link, i counted the turns unscrewing the old end but must have stuffed up with the count for the new end, it's a easy fix with the adjuster.

Your tie rod and one end of the drag link would have to be removed to do the BJ's but you would expect a great change to the wheel alignment doing that, you should keep a close eye on your tyre wear if they start feathering on the edge get a rotate and wheel alignment done then.

[sam_d]

Ran my Disco to Bridgestone Service Centre first thing this morning. Sorted it all in about 15 minutes.

[onebob]

Track rod doesn't affect the steering wheel angle, that is done on the steering rod or steering input shaft.

Yes.... they're called the drag link rod and pitman arm and one end of the drag link is connected to the steering pitman arm which is actuated by the driver steering wheel and the other end to either the left or right front wheel dependant an whether your D2 is left or right hand drive. The drag link is in front of the diff on the D2.