How to Center a Crooked 4Runner Steering Wheel

[@salsa83]

Thanks for the video. I jumped my gx mudding, and was able to fix the alignment in less than an hour.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Salsa Sounds like a good time! Happy to help.

[@condor5635]

Good video thanks for posting... key thing is which way to turn the outer tie rod ends. BOTH sides will be the same way depending on whether you are adjusting to the left or to the right. In your case your steering wheel was off to the left (counterclockwise) direction so the wrench will be turning bottom to top like you did on BOTH sides. If your steering wheel was opposite of your case (slightly clockwise off or right of center) then the adjustments on both sides with the wrench would be top to bottom. It is good to visualize what is happening when you are turning them. They are standard threaded rods and it is easy to visualize either extending the tire/wheel or contracting it when they are turned the proper way. Thanks for posting!

[@TrailBendersOverland]

You said it right!! Thanks for watching!

[@brianc6739]

Excellent comment thanks man

[@wacky.racoon]

I had the same thing but I adjusted it via the steering shaft coupler. It goes into the steering rack, there is a lower screw and an upper screw on the coupler, undo both and then push upward (from under the truck) and it should come loose and slide upward, clearing the pinion on the steering rack. At that point you can rotate the steering wheel and adjust it to its zero point, reattach the coupler, fasten, and bingo that's it. No tie rod fiddling needed. Cheers !

[@1971lemond]

Awesome man good video gonna do the same with my tundra.

[@GeminiHammer]

exactly my problem mate same steering angle will now hopefully sort it out thanks mate

[@dougn2350]

If you pay for an alignment and the steering wheel is not straight you should demand your money back. A straight steering wheel is part of the alignment process.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

You're right. If I wasn't mechanically inclined then I would have. But since it was easy enough for me to do it myself I figured It was a good chance to make a video and teach other people about it. I ended up going back for an alignment and they gave it to me for free.

[@Anasaltamimi757]

Doug N man, I keep give the car back to dealership. I told them the steering wheel is not centered is tilted on the left. They told me that everything is fine tire rods,suspension. Then I took it out and I return it back. They test it and they told me is not tilted!! I told it to a regular shop and they said your alignment is perfect. But I still feel that my steering wheel is not centered.

[@fishing4happiness610]

Alignment shops don't give a rats a$$ about your steering wheel. Thanks for this video!

[@MC-mh2ju]

@@fishing4happiness610 True. My car runs straight, but the steering wheel alignment is FUCKED!

[@AscendingBliss]

Thank you so much!!! I just did this on my 2015 Tacoma and it worked perfectly!! I also got a refund from the inept alignment shop LOL 😂

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Taylor Hayden happy to help!!! Took me 3 attempts at the same shop before making this video. It was frustrating to say the least.

[@hpskater911]

@taylorhayden ​@@TrailBendersOverland I’m also about to do this on my 2015 Tacoma. Hoping it will solve my problems! Been very frustrated about this for awhile now! Also been to several alignment shops, and even the dealer!

[@Sh0d3nn]

used to this in my 2001 accord really it’s not hard but alignments are probably a good idea

[@joeyhcmc]

The same thing happened to me. They could not figure it out both the tire center specialist and the Official Car Repair Center. Thanks for sharing.

[@kj232009]

Beautiful truck dude

[@olenaerhardt7725]

Thank you for pointing out to remove the clamping ring fm/the Inner TR boot, so you can rotate it free. I've recently noticed that the wheel is crooked like ~30 degrees to the right. Not sure if I need to go to alignment before or fix it and then go to check everything during the alignment. I've read you comment below about the reasons why to do the straightening 1st, but in one film they said the crooked wheel can be due to unbalanced tires. I've changed 2 tires on front, balanced them w/HF Bubble Balancer (all that is not very precise of course), then took it for a test drive, noticed that crooked wheel. I don't remember if was crooked before or not (I don't drive that car much). So I think maybe the problem is due to new tires, which are not aligned and unbalanced. After I change all 4 tires, would it be better to straighten the wheel first and then go for alignment or just go to the dealer explain everything, so the mechanic will do the adjustment during alignment? Thank you very much for your film again.

[@johnhenderson6407]

Thank you. Very useful.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Happy to help!

[@mrlambo2972]

If u know this info it's such a huge tip for straight steering wheel, I am doing mine tomorrow for my bmw and It's all about tie rod assembly and I need to adjust toe forshure

[@stendecstretcher5678]

Spot on this happened to me. Took it straight back refused to budge until they fixed it. Why does no one do their job properly any more?

[@OldWurlitzerMusic]

im just doing my 08 highlander now , i need a bit more adjustment also

[@AdamWelch]

Just had my 2018 TRD "aligned" today after I installed my lift. Drove it there and when I took it home...it's aligned...but the wheel is sitting around 45 degrees left. I'm going to take it back but if they can't fix it I'll give this a try. Thanks for posting!

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Same thing happened to me. I took it back twice and it was still not straight, but like yours it was aligned. So finally decided to do it myself, and take it back for alignment. It was off such a small amount they barely had to touch it. Never going back to that shop again though

[@AdamWelch]

The shop I took it to gave me a deal on a lifetime alignment package so hopefully they'll get it eventually. I won't say it's name but it rhymes with Firestone.... Super cool guys, then again, this is a little much. My terrain control and traction assist lights won't go off either. Fun times.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Hah yeah it’ll do that to your lights. Well best luck man! Let us know that you got it fixed!

[@olenaerhardt7725]

What actually causes the tiltedness of the steering wheel? Can it happen after you hit a cement bar on the parking lot? I knocked the bottom of the car over that bar near one store and then noticed that the wheel is tilted. I can't say if it was tilted before or not. Before I hit another car over that limiting bar, but the wheel is straight on it.

[@TheBonbagay]

@Trail Benders Overland wouldn’t that throw off your alignment? Just wondering because I’m having the same issue with my 2k19 Dodge Journey

[@carolinasonsoutdoors2483]

Yea I just replaced my steering rack bushings. The wheel is off to the left about 10-15degrees I think I’m going to have to take it back off and move the knuckle another tooth the wheel moved a little even having it tied down so I think that is my problem.

[@markisokawa2067]

The other videos I watched showed the them loosening the nut before turning. Did you do anything with the nut?

[@haroldo5889]

Your steering wheel might be staring but how’s you toe setting?

[@mzhameed1]

Thanks for the video I’ll give it go on a Lexus

[@bgriff2517]

You said same direction for both sides. Are you turning the wrench upward on both sides? Or in opposite directions when making adjustments?

[@TrailBendersOverland]

In my case I went "upward" on both sides. I needed to loosen the drive side and tighten the passenger side, by the same amount. This was with my steering wheel being justified too far to the left. If your steering wheel is too far to the right, you'll do the exact opposite.

[@NOM145]

I got an alignment done they gave it back and it still pulls to the right all the time. I took it back and they said the rack and pinion is bad.....now I'm second guessing that too!

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Ira Hmmm. I mean it’s possible. But did take it to another shop to have it checked out. Does the steering feel tight still?

[@2rogerflores]

thanks!

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Your welcome!

[@KRTLyfe]

Sorry, the haters are hating on your video. I had the exact same scenario with my 100 Series Land Cruiser. My steering wheel had to be to the left to drive straight. I took it to an alignment shop and they recommended a new Rack & Pin and claimed my Tie Rod Ends were stuck. When I got some time, I took some toe measurements (looked good) and then saw your video. So I gave it a try, did a full 360 turn “up” on both sides and bam steering wheel was straight and the vehicle tracked perfectly down the road! I dialed mine in a little and came back 1/4 turn and now its really nice. Thanks so much, this helped a lot and saved me a bunch of troubleshooting and time! If we ever cross paths I’ll buy you a beer lmao.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Glad I could help! I’ll take you up on that beer haha. It’s funny the haters are the people who wouldn’t actually try it themselves and don’t realize that after I made the adjustment my truck drove straight and my steering wheel was straight. Haters gonna hate!

[@4bvenom733]

Did my alignment turn out they didn't proper torque my driver side lca bolts was loose, it was clunking and torque it down now my steering wheels is crooked Will it be the same problem

[@chris31795]

Fuckin lifesaver brother. See you on the trail

[@kamranraza9865]

Tell me a solution to get my steering wheel back in place

[@jg2611]

Same issue for me I refused to go back to the shop. What is the point? Same shop also didnt notice my cam bolt being waaay out on the passenger side Tire noise ans wear still drive me nuts I'll be adjusting the front toe, cause the factory marks are off on either side 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@bpt386]

Same problem after a shop put an intermediate shaft in now my steering wheel is off a little i already tried getting it alliend

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Well give it a try doing it yourself and take it back to the shop to make sure everything is still straight. Or just give them a call and let them know the wheel isn’t straight. They should do it again

[@shazzakhan99]

Awesome video! I just took our car to get an alignment and on the way home realised the steering wheel was pointed 10-15degrees to the right. I called the shop and they told me to come back tomorrow and they'd fix it but the car wont need an alignment again as the alignment is unaffected by the steering being off. Is this true?

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Shayan Khan it is true. The alignment can be correct and the steering can still be crooked. If you follow the directions in the video you can fix the steering wheel without messing up your alignment. If they said you can bring it back then I would go ahead and fix the steering wheel yourself and still take it back to them so they can double check your alignment. It’s incorrect that they would say the car doesn’t need an alignment because adjusting your steering wheel is part of the alignment procedure so after fixing the steering wheel they will need to check your alignment again. Sounds confusing... as your truck sits you are fine to drive it and it should be driving straight. It’s just annoying to look at a crooked steering wheel.

[@noelfoley23]

Will this work a a 4wd car that also has 4wheel steering, ie. Mitsubishi 3000GT? please help

[@TrailBendersOverland]

It should work. Most car’s steering work just like this and the adjustments are the same.

[@johnmadsen37]

I hit a stump and it went -45 degrees. I hit a stump again and it was on center. Then a third hit of a stump did a - 10 degrees. I think something is slipping. If it was bent, it would probably be unable to correct itself.

[@nathangomez5006]

Would this be the same way to do it on my 2005 Toyota Tacoma?

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Nathan Gomez sure would be!

[@CBW0314]

What year is this and where di you get the headlights?

[@TrailBendersOverland]

It's a 2006 4Runner and I got the headlights on eBay. Just search either 03-05 4runner black headlights or 06-09 4runner black headlights. They were around $250.

[@beexiong2995]

Did this to my gx460. Screwed up my toe and caster pretty bad. Sure the wheel is straight but your tires will start to wear unevenly. Do at your own risk

[@kamranraza9865]

My problem is that the steering wheel of my car does not come back to its place. There is also a problem with the new alignment in the steering rack. I have asked a lot of people about this problem but no one has a new solution.

[@xterra4hire]

More videos please

[@TrailBendersOverland]

More are coming very soon!

[@username_jr133]

Did it shake while driving? I have that same problem with the steering wheel, and shaking while driving.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Jaime Quezada Hmmmm. Mine was never shaky at all. That only happen to me when when my tires where unbalanced. Does it happen during coasting and acceleration or during breaking?

[@username_jr133]

Trail Benders Overland when I’m accelerating around 65-70 mph. The steering wheel has the same angle as yours. And it’s bothersome haha

[@lupitacarballo4925]

@@username_jr133 what was your problem, mine is doing the same thing, how did you fixed it

[@username_jr133]

Lupita Rodriguez it was the part inside the steering wheel. I forgot the name of it. It sits behind the airbag. Click spring.

[@username_jr133]

Lupita Rodriguez clock spring*

[@thewishmastur]

Wonder if you just messed up the alignment

[@TKDPWR]

doesn't that change the wheel alignment though??

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Herman only if you spin them different amounts. You spin them the same, literally the only thing that happens is the wheel turns.

[@mrmurdx8956]

All he did was push both front tires inward to correct his steering wheel position he may be 2 degrees of his total toe setting but it wont be off to cause an alignment ISSUE.

[@TKDPWR]

thanks for the info friends.

[@ScottDobbs07]

Why would you adjust the rods and not just loosen the intermediate shaft and straighten your wheel. Then retighten?

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Because with my searches I couldn’t find anywhere to do that. Could you help me know where it’s at? I know there’s bolts on the shaft under the dash, but that wouldn’t let the steering wheel spin.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

@Eric Kimmy ??

[@TrailBendersOverland]

@@subtegral I actually know the answer to that.. would you like to know?

[@TrailBendersOverland]

@@subtegral I agree. So the egg and chicken paradox... The simple answer is that the chicken came first. Cause who the F sat on the egg. Eggs are so temperamental. You need to keep them warm, flip them over... if the egg came first there would never have been any chickens. The egg would've just sat there and rotted to nothing.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

@@subtegral That is a whole other topic my friend.

[@ronsag65]

Now you need an alignment lol

[@TrailBendersOverland]

I actually did end up getting an alignment after this. It ended up not being off at all! Guess I got lucky and really moved them both the same amount. Too bad the shop couldn't just give me a straight steering wheel from the start!

[@howabouthetruth2157]

Lilac.......You ain't a kiddin'. There's DOZENS of stupid videos just like this one, duping people into doing this NONSENSE. BECAUSE MOST CARS & TRUCKS HAVE AN ADJUSTABLE U-JOINT ASSEMBLY TO THE STEERING WHEEL SHAFT RIGHT UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THAT IS THE VERY REASON IT IS THERE, TO STRAIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT EVEN TOUCHING THE FRONT END & SCREWING UP THE ALIGNMENT. I just posted a complete description on how to do this THE RIGHT WAY in my main comment above. ( Some cars DON'T have that U-joint under the dash......but most DO. ) If I didn't know better, I would swear some OWNER of a shop that does front-end alignments started this BULLSHIT.......TO DRUM UP A BUNCH OF BUSINESS FROM IDIOTS SCREWING AROUND WITH AN OTHERWISE PERFECT FRONT-END ALIGNMENT......JUST TO "STRAIGHTEN OUT A DAMN STEERING WHEEL".

[@Six82one]

Howabouthetruth ya so when you fuck with that u joint your driving crooked you dumb fuck

[@lurice0]

@@howabouthetruth2157 you just uncentered your steering wheel from the rack, yet you're so CONFIDENT YOU KNOW WHAT YOURE DOING but you have no idea.

[@peterdryden1408]

If your wheels are aligned your steering wheel should be, if not take your steering wheel off and re-centre it nice

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Negative. If you ever look at steering linkage it would be very clear that an adjustment in the wrong direction by the tech doing your adjustment could through your steering wheel off and have the vehicle still drive straight.If the wheel was straight before the alignment then it it should be straight after the alignment. A crooked steering wheel means the tech didn't leave the steering wheel perfectly straight at the beginning of the alignment. Means they adjust the steering linkage all together in the wrong direction. This video shows how that steering linkage works and why my adjustment worked without having to remove the steering wheel.

[@kamranraza9865]

I am waiting ur reply thankxx

[@smgs6941]

I might just buy that SUV that had that same problem and fix itself

[@jerrydc818]

What’s the point of paying for an alignment when the steering wheel adjustment is part of the alignment. Bring it back, if they’re incompetent about basic alignment, get your money back and don’t go back.

[@moneyforeign]

Your cute haha

[@binzsta86]

Nothing wrong of not being straight. Pride!!!!

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Broke lol 🤙🏻

[@jaywalker7622]

no

[@borp6912]

@@TrailBendersOverland Brokeback Steering Wheel

[@wacky.racoon]

I didn't realize my steering wheel "turned" that way. lmao.

[@cameronjohnson8618]

You did it wrong. You have 128k views. Your just told 128k people how to do it wrong. .

[@eman0828]

Maybe you need to go to a different alignment shop. Lol I don't see how they missed that. That's usually part of the alignment it's self.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

You’re right. I didn’t want to pay again somewhere else and they wouldn’t refund. I went back a couple times and finally did myself.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

@@subtegral Thank you for understanding!! It's amazing how much flack I've gotten on this video. Now go watch my balancing beads video.. might actually deserve some of the trolling I get there haha, but this one I feel like I did the right thing after so many attempts with the shop. I understand it could throw things off.. but It still drove straight and I was happy afterward. Tires wore well too.

[@eman0828]

@@subtegral I Disagree. I gotten an alignment and my car was pulling to the right. My steering wheel was off and they corrected it for me. I didn't ask for anything or mentioned anything about my steering wheel was crooked.

[@eman0828]

@@subtegral And how many alignments have you done in your life? Show me some validated proof to back your claims because I'm not buying that. I just don't see any logical sense leaving a steering wheel crooked when getting an alignment done esp they have to put the car on an alignment rack to make measurements of thousands of an inch. They have to straighten the steering wheel when putting it on the rack.

[@eman0828]

@@subtegral You didn't even answer my question or provide any evidence to your claim which means you have no credibility. Case is closed. No point trying to argue if you have nothing to back your claims.

[@alfredspicer3697]

My wife had a 2007 toyota highlander 4 WD and i am telling her that the steering is not centered,and she is saying that nothing is wrong with the steering,i am a mechanic for almost fifteen years in my country where i came from and i am telling her that the vehicle need a alignment,when i drive the vehicle because i am now a permanent resident in america,so i would like to get use to the american road,so that i can get my driver's license,when i am on a straight the steering is not in the center at all, it lean so when i took a deep bent i have to spin it about 4 times!but she said she have no problem,so i tell her that i have to go to an driving school to get a proper teaching of a vehicle that the steering is centered properly.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Alfred Spicer Haha well it sounds like it needs an alignment! Might as well take it in. Good luck!

[@alfredspicer3697]

@@TrailBendersOverland i know it need align!but my wife said it ok,and so i told my dear wife but she said it ok she use to it.so i have to let she made up her mind.

[@rickhenry7107]

dont do this, when they do an alignment the wheel needs to be straight then adjust front end......this method makes ur alignment bad again, just take it back and have the shop fix it

[@TrailBendersOverland]

I did take it back, 3 times. Then I did this to straighten steering wheel myself and took it back a 4th time to make sure the wheels were still aligned.

[@howabouthetruth2157]

If you have A UNIVERSAL JOINT UNDER YOUR DASH that assembles the steering shaft there, you can simply loosen & remove BOTH bolts ( one on the top of the U-joint, and one on the bottom ) to that U-joint. That U-joint will then slide right off DOWNWARDS off of the shaft closest to the steering wheel. You may have to "coax it" or jiggle & pull repeatedly, but it WILL slide off that upper shaft. You will see SPLINES ( little grooves ) on the end of that UPPER shaft closest to the steering wheel that the U-joint rides on when assembled. Now, SIMPLY STRAIGHTEN YOUR STEERING WHEEL BY HAND, TO WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE, AND MAKE SURE YOU DON'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AGAIN ( keep it in the correct position ) AS YOU RE-INSTALL THE U-JOINT, EXACTLY THE SAME WAY YOU REMOVED IT. What happens, is AFTER you completely remove that U-joint, and then STRAIGHTEN YOUR STEERING WHEEL, THE UPPER STEERING SHAFT TURNS ALSO, TO THE PROPER POSITION. If you do this carefully, and properly, you will straighten your steering wheel WITHOUT so much as touching ANY of your front end adjustments THAT CAN CAUSE YOUR FRONT-END TO GO OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THAT MAKES NO SENSE TO DO IT BY MESSING WITH YOUR FRONT-END ADJUSTMENT. ( Unless you happen to have a vehicle that does NOT have that U-joint on the steering shaft UNDER THE DASH. ) VERY IMPORTANT: BEFORE YOU DO THE METHOD I JUST EXPLAINED, DRIVE YOUR CAR ON THE DRIVEWAY, PARKING LOT, OR ANY ALLEY OR SIDE STREET JUST FAR ENOUGH FORWARD SO YOU KNOW YOUR FRONT TIRES ARE EXACTLY STRAIGHT. ( Make sure you are on hard, LEVEL ground when driving your car about 30 feet or so to make sure the front tires are perfectly straight. Because YOUR TIRES AND YOUR STEERING WHEEL NEEDS TO BE STRAIGHT WHEN YOU RE-INSTALL THAT U-JOINT. ) If you have that ADJUSTABLE U-JOINT on your steering shaft under the dash.........THAT is where you are suppose to straighten a damn steering wheel.........YOU SHOULDN'T MESS WITH A PERFECT FRONT-END ALIGNMENT TO SIMPLY "STRAIGHTEN OUT YOUR STEERING WHEEL".........YOU COULD VERY EASILY SCREW UP YOUR FRONT-END ALIGNMENT THAT WAS PERFECT TO BEGIN WITH. THAT ADJUSTABLE U-JOINT ON THE STEERING SHAFT IS THERE ( on most vehicles ) FOR THE VERY REASON OF STRAIGHTENING THE STEERING WHEEL, WITHOUT HAVING TO SCREW AROUND WITH YOUR FRONT END ALIGNMENT AT ALL. ........GOOD GRIEF MAN........WHO IS TEACHING YOU GUYS ALL THAT OTHER CRAZY SHIT.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Lol you must have a lot of time on your hands. Turns out the shop didn’t get my alignment right or my steering wheel straight.. so this was necessary for me after having gone back 5 times already. I’m sure you would’ve understood that if you watched the video. I appreciate your input, but would appreciate even more a better delivery 🤓

[@abbadonalex]

Thank you so much saved me lots of dollars taking it to garage

[@mrmurdx8956]

@@TrailBendersOverland if you had to go back 5 times to get your steering wheel straight there may be something wrong with one or both of your outer tie rods or possibly whom ever is doing your alignments isn't that good.

[@waltjake1]

Yup. I had to replace the steering shaft with the U joint and now my steering wheel is off because of it.

[@bkelsey6692]

Agreed. Alignment tech who uses a machine to align the wheels showed me the tie rod end tied in, while the other one was adjusted to half of the thread length. Now I'm sitting here replacing a steering rack (it was completely out of alignment which caused the rack to have play on the passenger side). Btw, hes right. If your rack is aligned, and all the rubber (bushings and joints), and ball joints are good, you should adjust the steering wheel at the rack. Did your alignment shop give you the measurements? The only time you should touch those is if you're replacing them and getting an alignment. Otherwise, youre replacing other stuff along with tires. Those tires look expensive

[@yournightmare9999]

Why low IQ people dyslike this video?

[@starfoxjwarry7917]

You don’t need to do any of this I swear lol You can do all this while stilling in the car why do all this

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Star Fox J Warry Then tell me how and I’ll make a new video