question on how to "recenter" steering rack


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question on how to "recenter" steering rack

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dmac0923
Enthusiast

Oct 9, 2008, 9:46 AM

Post #1 of 4 (3557 views)

question on how to "recenter" steering rack	Sign In

for those who havent viewed my previous post ill keep it short and sweet.

i installed a reman steering rack in my 02 nissan sentra. It appears i installed it off center since i have 1.75 turns to the left and 1.25 to the right and im experiencing some fenderwell rubbing at full left turn.

so how do i recenter the rack?
__________________________________________________
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2002 Ford Ranger
2004 Toyota Corolla
1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Oct 9, 2008, 10:11 AM

Post #2 of 4 (3553 views)

Re: question on how to "recenter" steering rack	Sign In

Still watching this. Ok - seems it's exactly 1/2 turn off. What item was disconnected that could have gone back on 180 degrees off like a u-joint or rubber insulater connector?

T

dmac0923
Enthusiast

Oct 9, 2008, 10:23 AM

Post #3 of 4 (3550 views)

Re: question on how to "recenter" steering rack	Sign In

i was doing some experimenting on some other cars and it seems from center ahead in either directions you should get 1.5 turns. Thus giving you 3 turns lock to lock.

Im still getting 3 turns lock to lock (1.75+1.25) its just i get more left turn then right turn.

Now i was thinking and running some math Uh OH. lol

If i center the steering wheel in the car and then disconnect the unjoint connecting the intermediate shaft to the steering box. i would mark the splined shaft on the steering box and count the number of turns of the steering rack it takes to go from lock to lock.

Now if i take that # of turns and divide that number in half. It should give me the number of turns o would have to go from one lock to center?????

now with the rack hopefully at center and the steering wheel still centered from step one...everything should be centered????

2nd question. if through out this process i dont mess with the thread adjustment on the outer tie rod ends will that save me my $40 alignment i just had done before i realized i didnt center the rack before installation???
__________________________________________________
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2002 Ford Ranger
2004 Toyota Corolla
1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Oct 9, 2008, 11:21 AM

Post #4 of 4 (3548 views)

Re: question on how to "recenter" steering rack	Sign In

Right on! I was saying 1/2 turn = 180 degrees = 1/2 turn. If you reduce .25 or 1/4 or 90 degrees from one it would add it to the other - right? It's math 101 and I think I messed up in the first reply. You want to find where you can transer the 1/4 from one side with too much to the other with too little then it's on center.

Still teasing my messed up head but I think if you leave the tie rods alone or count exact turns if they need to move you can be ok to put back exactly where it was aligned. Remember tow doesn't really make it pull to one side or the other if off but rather is more of a tire wear problem and if tires are even now you would see "feathering" on tread pretty quickly if way off.

I'm gettin too old for all this math stuff but you have it,

T

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