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Steering Wheel and Alignment

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jhorton3

jhorton3

Jedi Warrior
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OK, problem with wheel alignment. Left side has way too much toe in. Right side looks pretty good. I wanted to ball park it so I could take it to the tire shop Monday to be fitted with new tires and aligned there.

The problem is the steering wheel is also off center. I know the two are related. Just how do I kill these two birds with one stone?
 
I was warned by Jack L and confirmed today that a Midget or Sprite will not fit on modern alignment machines. I did my alignment myself today in the garage with a laser, measuring tape, pencil and two flat surfaces. It was pretty easy. Start with your steering wheel on center and align one wheel to the rear wheel. Then bring the other wheel parallel or a little toed in. I had the front tires siting on some steel drip pans so they turn as I adjusted the tie rod ends.
 
Hmm... I have exactly the same situation. I was planning on doing the following.

Unscrew tie rod ends, then thread back in an equal number of turns. Set toe-in, adjusting equally on both sides.

When done, check steering wheel. If still off by more than a couple of degrees (>1 spline) remove & reposition steering wheel.

Thoughts?
 
All that works. Usually put stearing wheel in center first and then adjust tires to match.
 
I was able to get it somewhat back on center. Not perfect, but a lot better than it was early this afternoon. I think Dad might have some of those alignment gauges where the tire sits on top of a plate and you adjust it that way.

Took her out for another spin. Man, those new front end bits made a world of difference! It's going to be great when the rear suspension is refurbished. For now, she's buttoned up in the garage.
 
when I did this at a friends shop, he could find a late model sprite, the are the same, so he looked at my BE to that. Good luck.
 
Rather than centering the steering wheel first, as Jack suggests, I would center the steering RACK first (count the tirns from full left lock to full right lock and split the difference!) and proceed from there with the suggestions above! Once all is aligned, THEN I would center the steering wheel on its splines with the same full left/right centering method as above.
 
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