Steering Angle

NOTE: Perform the steering angle check before toe measurement (if any steering angle corrections have been made).

DESCRIPTION
Check the wheel steering angles at full right and left positions. If the angles are not equal from wheel to wheel, the front wheel spindle tie rods must be adjusted to the right or left until the steering angles are equal. Front wheel spindle tie rod adjustment affects the centering of the steering wheel in the straight ahead position. Adjustments can be fine-tuned by shifting the front wheel spindle tie rods a small amount away from the equal angle setting. If the steering wheel cannot be centered with the steering angles within specification, check for improper assembly or installation of the following steering components:
^ Steering gear housing.
^ Steering column.
^ Steering column intermediate shaft coupling.
^ Steering wheel.

PROCEDURES
Adjust the steering angles as follows:
1. With paint or marking pen, mark both tie rod ends, front wheel spindle tie rods, and tie rod end jam nuts in their original positions. These reference marks will help in equalizing right and left adjustments.
2. Remove the bellows clamps and free the bellows to prevent them from being twisted when the front wheel spindle tie rods are turned.
3. Loosen and back off the tie rod end jam nuts.





4. To avoid toe change, turn one front wheel spindle tie rod into, and the other out of, the tie rod ends by equal amounts. This shortens one front wheel spindle tie rod and lengthens the other, shifting the steering gear rack right or left until the steering gear rack teeth are centered on the steering gear input worm gear and bearing, and steering gear rack travel from the centered position is equal in both directions. This equalizes the wheel steering angles, but also rotates the steering gear input worm gear and bearing and steering wheel.
5. Position the wheels straight ahead and check the steering wheel centering. If close to correct, turn both front wheel spindle tie rods left or right without turning the wheels to center the steering wheel. A shift to the left will turn the steering wheel clockwise, and a shift to the right will turn it counterclockwise, as seen from the driver seat.
6. Verify that the wheel steering angles are still within specification. If not within specification, the steering wheel can be removed and shifted on the steering column to center it.