Steering Wheel Slight Off

Just had my truck aligned after installing new (OEM) steering rack and tie rods along with poly bushings. Have had my truck in for alignment twice and the steering wheel is still slight off about an 1/4"-1/2" to the right. Why is the shop having trouble getting my steering wheel lined up. Before I replaced the steering rack another shop had the same issue. Is anyone else having this problem?

 

Because they obviously don't know what they are doing.

Why are you replacing the steering rack on a practically new Tacoma ( 2016 )?

 

Is the steering wheel off or is the alignment just so bad to drive straight you have to keep it 1/4-1/2" to the right? I had a somewhat similar problem recently (doesn't sound quite as bad) and they re-adjusted the caster and now its good to go.

 

has 3rd gen, posts in 2nd gen forum to get actual results....

OP, alignment shops are not typically nearly as critical as the actual user. You can adjust the steering wheel pretty easy by yourself if you have the couple of wrenches and a lil know how. Simply run one tie rod in a half turn and the other out a half turn, this wont change toe but will move the steering wheel.

 

I had this exact issue...in my case, it was the poly bushings. If they are torquing the rack bolts to spec its likely night tight enough as the poly bushings are harder to "crush" into place. Does your wheel move out of center to the right and/or to the left after a full steering lock in either direction?

See my plight here...https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/post-r-p-replacement-steering-wheel-will-not-hold-center.581271/

 

My truck is 2006 with 145,000 miles, not sure why it is showing 2016.

 

I believe the steering wheel is just a tad off. The truck appears to drive straight with no other issues than the steering wheel is off to the right 1/4" - 1/2".

 

Last night, I noticed the steering wheel was off about a 1/4" the opposite direction, just like you described in your post. I'll try to tighten the Rack bolts as I have the Energy Suspension poly bushings like you and see if that helps. The rack I installed was brand new OEM so I don't think there should be any problems with it.

 

That'll be your issue for sure. Easy fix, just try to get the wheel center before you tighten the rack bolts to save another trip to the alignment shop.