Alignment: Service and Repair

If toe-in is to be adjusted, the operation can be combined with steering wheel centering. But, to avoid complications, one should be completed before starting the other. To center the steering wheel, the tie rods must be turned into one tie rod end and out of the other, in equal amounts to avoid changing the toe setting. This shifts the steering rack right or left, turning the pinion, steering column and wheel to its desired position. Center steering as follows:
1. Mark the tie rod and tie rod ends with paint or a grease pencil to indicate their original relative positions.
2. Loosen and back off the tie rod end jam nuts, then release the steering gear boot clips. Ensure boots are free on the tie rods to avoid twisting.
3. Screw tie rods into one tie rod end and out of the other, depending on which way the steering wheel is to be moved and how much. Example: if left tie rod is screwed in and right tie rod is screwed out, the steering rack moves to the left and the steering wheel movement is counterclockwise as seen from the drivers seat. For clockwise correction, the rack must be moved to the right. If the road wheels are positioned and locked in the straight ahead position during this operation, using the steering wheel tape mark as a starting point, the wheel will turn during adjustment and the centered position can be judged visually. One revolution of the tie rods will result in a steering wheel correction of approximately 19°. Check marks on tie rods and tie rod ends, to ensure tie rods are turned equal amounts. Adjust toe-in as follows:
a. Loosen jam nuts at tie rod ends and release clips at small ends of steering gear boots, ensuring boots are free on tie rods so they will not be twisted when tie rods are turned.
b. Turn tie rods into or out of tie rod ends an equal amount on each side to keep steering wheel centered.
c. When toe-in is within specifications, torque tie rod end jam nuts to 42-50 ft. lbs., then ensure steering gear boot ends are positioned in the reduced-diameter sections of the tie rods and install boot clips.