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Topic: Steering Gear Centering (Read 936 times) previous topic - next topic

Steering Gear Centering

I have a question on centering the steering gear. I had a Redhead unit installed a couple of months back in Nacogdoches. Just a preemptive action as the old one wasn't yet leaking. Anyhow, on the drive back home I noticed an ever so slight pulling to the right. Pulling is really too strong a word. Just had to keep a very light touch on the wheel on normally crowned surfaces. I'm not sure if the steering is exactly centered but I was wondering if the centering would have any effect on handling. I also had new tires installed. All are properly inflated. Thanks.
jor

Re: Steering Gear Centering

Reply #1 –
When mine was pulling to the right after Alaska, and alignment didn't help, my mechanic fixed it by centering the steering wheel. I marked where to hold the wheel to go straight, and he loosened and repositioned the steering column. All fixed now.

Re: Steering Gear Centering

Reply #2 –
Centering the wheel doesn't affect pulling. Only controls where the wheel is located when going straight. It is difficult to find a uncrowned road to see if it really pulling.

Re: Steering Gear Centering

Reply #3 –
Quote
It is difficult to find a uncrowned road to see if it really pulling.
Yea, I kept wondering if it was my imagination. Of the four I've had this is the best handling and I've always enjoyed driving it. It just seemed that before the change it would just stick straight on without any effort at all. I've changed out a few steering gears in pickups over the years and never had this issue. Anyhow, I'm heading back to Nacogdoches in a couple of weeks for a headlight upgrade so I'm going to stop in at Big Truck Alignment in Lufkin and have them check it out and tweak it if necessary. If they still true tires I'll have them do that too.
jor

Re: Steering Gear Centering

Reply #4 –
When I am not sure if I have a pull to the right, I go to a straight two lane road with a slight crown in the center and drive in the oncoming lane, of it still pulls to the right it is in need of repair.

Re: Steering Gear Centering

Reply #5 –
I assume you don't have any kind of steering stabilizer installed?  If not, and this slight pull started after the...ahem.....if  it ain't broke...Redhead steering gear, it would seem there is the possibility of an internal problem with the gear.  Power steering is a mystery to me, but it seems that there must be a null spot in the gear when no input is being provided by the operator ie driving straight down  a flat windless section.  Maybe a knowledgeable gearhead can comment.

Or maybe tire issue...I had a maddening issue with radial pull on what appeared to be a good set of truck tires.

Re: Steering Gear Centering

Reply #6 –
I assume you don't have any kind of steering stabilizer installed?
if  it ain't broke...Redhead steering gear,
there must be a null spot in the gear when no input is being provided. Maybe a knowledgeable gearhead can comment.
Or maybe tire issue.

No stabilizer.
Quote
If it ain't broke...
I know, I know... I can't help myself.
Null Point & Gearhead: Same here. I was thinking there might be that one sweet spot.
Tire Issue: I put on new Toyos at the same time. Like I said above, if they still do it, I'll have them trued at Big Truck Alignment. Did it once before on another rig. Fun to watch the process. Shaving material off a brand new tire!
jor

Re: Steering Gear Centering

Reply #7 –
If you suspect "tire pull", just rotate the front tires L-R.  If the pull is to the other side, it is a tire pull.  If no change, something else.

Re: Steering Gear Centering

Reply #8 –
Sounds like a good idea (swapping tires). Anyhow, I'll have BTA do that when I stop by there in a few weeks. Of course, there's always the possibility that it's not really pulling at all. Like I said, it is very slight. One member posited that the wheel might be slightly off center and just the feel of it would make me believe it's pulling. Anyhow, I'm going to monitor it closely on this trip. It's always been a two fingers on the wheel steerer so I want it to remain so.
jor

Re: Steering Gear Centering

Reply #9 –
JOR, do you have an update on your steering issue?

Thank you

Re: Steering Gear Centering

Reply #10 –
After my redhead steering gear replacement my steering wheel is slightly off center now to the left. Was kind of my own thought because as the guys were hooking things up I was helping up in the cabin and when I finally disconnected the bolts that hold the steering wheel I was surprised at how heavy it was and it turned because of the wiring was torking it. I sended it as best as I could but it was off just a bit. I'm living with it although maybe one day if it really bothers me I'll get it fixed. I have noticed though that I do have more of a pull on one side but as you said it's very slight. Still with the new steering gear the amount of wandering is significantly reduced. And the input on the steering wheel is almost instantaneous. Where before there was a lot of slop in it there's none now.
I used to laugh at people that were getting things replaced for no good reason as well, until my steering gear started leaking abruptly in Mexico. Then I wished I had done preventative replacement earlier.
There is a finite life to these things.

Re: Steering Gear Centering

Reply #11 –
Bob,

If it is not off a full tooth (steering wheel), wonder if you can make the minor adjustment to the drag link.  If so, be sure to recheck the relief plungers when finished.

Re: Steering Gear Centering

Reply #12 –
When I had my steering gear replaced in Phoenix the shop missed by 2 teeth and the steering wheel was almost 90º off.  They tried to adjust the link and couldn't get enough.  They sent me to a steering specialist shop who ended up pulling the steering shaft off and correcting it.  Drives great now.  So if they missed a tooth that could be your problem.

Re: Steering Gear Centering

Reply #13 –
Forest, are you talking about the pitman arm being off by two teeth, the coupler above the box or at the steering wheel? 90º off only by two teeth sounds like an awful lot...
Don
Quote from: folivier –
When I had my steering gear replaced in Phoenix the shop missed by 2 teeth and the steering wheel was almost 90º off.  They tried to adjust the link and couldn't get enough.  They sent me to a steering specialist shop who ended up pulling the steering shaft off and correcting it.  Drives great now.  So if they missed a tooth that could be your problem.

Re: Steering Gear Centering

Reply #14 –
The shop didn't remove the steering wheel so I'm guessing it was the pitman arm that was off. This was at a bus shop that regularly services Prevosts, MCIs, Newells, etc. but wasn't familiar with Foretravels. The steering specialist shop they sent me to had to start from scratch since they didn't remove and re-install the box. And didn't allow me in their shop, but the bus shop paid their bill.  I've used that bus shop before when I had the Newell and they do first class work.  BTW George Strait's new Prevost was in their shop having the fuel tank cleaned and engine work since the driver put 30 gallons DEF in the fuel tank!
 

Re: Steering Gear Centering

Reply #15 –
Ya, there are two-- best to get it right's:

steering shaft to steering box input shaft

steering box to pitman arm.

Steering shaft to steering wheel should not enter in, as it is not removed when R&R'ing the steering box.