Steering wheel canted to the right

I have an 2005 Taco and the alignment seems fine and the tires are wearing normally, but the steering wheel cants to the right. I want it straight. OCD? Yes, fully admit it.

How do I fix this short of getting an alignment? Everytime I get it aligned it's on the rack for 20 min and I come out $70 poorer; I can't justify going back in just to have the steering wheel straight.

 

When was it aligned? They should not have have it back with it off center. IM willing to bet everyone would hate to have a crooked wheel, I know I would.

 

you need to shorten the drive side and lengthen the passenger side tie rods ever so slightly ... im talking 1/6th of a turn will probably get your steering wheel straight. Do the same amount on either side and alignment wont be effected.

use a pair of channel locks on the tie rod to spin to adjust, and its something like a 21mm and a 22mm wrench to loosen the holding nut at the end of the tie rod.

 

Am I correct to assume that it is not necessary to jack up the tires off the ground?

 

You need to take it back to whom ever aligned it and screwed it up...

 

I always put two pieces of laminate tile under each tire so it can move if need be. N please use a crescent wrench n the appropriate box end wrench. Channel locks should only b used on rusted bolts and whatnot.

 

Technically yes.... but for the stupid small amount that you are going to shorten or lenghten the tierod is isnt going to make a difference. If you have issues spinning the tie rod (remember do SMALL incriments... like 1/6th of a turn) then jack the tire off the ground to relieve pressure.
Now if you were doing a full alignment yes you would need to get something like described below to allow the tire to move easily but be under the weight of the suspension.

The tie rods are super easy to spin once the lock nut is undone and are 8 sided thus have small flat spots, channel locks grip onto them nicely and wont mess them up.... the right sized box end wrench will likely slip on the small sides and strip out the surface.

 

Do this - just focused on the toe and ignoring camber and caster.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/252256-how-do-alignment-home.html

 

It's been several months, they won't fix it without charging me.

 

I was meaning box end for the lock nut. N the crescent for the rods o well

 

AWESOME write up!

 

Thanks!

 

Oh yes 100% for sure, definitely use a proper sized wrench on the tie rod end and locknut. for actual adjusting to spin the tie rod channel locks work perfect.

and that writeup is probably the best out there!

 

Had a friend help with this tonight and got it straight. Thanks everyone!

 

my wheel is a tad to the right as well. i will be fixing that today!!

 

so I fixed this problem 2 months ago, as can be seen from my "fixed it" post above, and it is canted to the right again! It slowly migrated back to being canted to the right.

Anyone have any clue what is going on here?

 

Mine is canted slightly to the right as well. Got an alignment done late summer...