Front suspension continues.... Steering centeredness??

[Kent mosby]

I have Qa1 k member, doctordiff front end rebuild kit, PST 1.03 t-bars, viking double adjustable shocks. Ride height set at 1 1/4 inch instead of 1 7/8. I checked the toe-in and it is a 0.00. I will change this when aligning per Skosh. 1973 scamp

I first checked the steering wheel position, lock to lock and found that I was off from center. So I marked the steering wheel so that 12 o'clock was the center and it rotated equally right/left.

My Question is that when I am driving down the street it drives straight, doesn't pull, but the wheel is at about 11:00 o'clock. Is that adjusting the tie-rods or alignment adjustments of UCA bolt? It "looks" like my left tie rod is shorter than the right side by 1/2 inch or more. I am not sure if manufacturing tolerances would indicate or allow measurement to be accurate. I had to remove the tie rods to install the t-bars.

When doing a front end alignment, Ride height is first, Then,, ??? I have looked in the FSM and I could not find a way to check tie rod "centeredness", if that is what it is called. Any instructions that could help instead of trial and error? I could shorten one side tie rod and lengthen the other by the same amount and check that but there must be a better way. ????
Any help appreciated.

 

[royslead]

You'll center the wheel by adjusting the tie rod lengths. Alignment order is ride height check and adjust, camber / caster (camber is most critical of the two, for tire wear - caster will not wear tires), then center the steering wheel, adjust toe.

 

[Kent mosby]

You'll center the wheel by adjusting the tie rod lengths. Alignment order is ride height check and adjust, camber / caster (camber is most critical of the two, for tire wear - caster will not wear tires), then center the steering wheel, adjust toe.

Thanks, I will equal the lengths and go from there. Tomorrow align

 

[royslead]

It will not be unusual to end with those tie rod assemblies at unequal lengths - just keep that in mind. They probably won't be "miles" different, but don't beat yourself up trying to figure out why they aren't.

 

[Kent mosby]

I got it to within a 10 degrees or so. I will do the alignment in order and then double check everything this week. Thanks for the help

 

[tinman2]

I not really familiar with how much adjustment is there but just be sure when you lengthen one side that you have enough threads left in the sleeve to be safe.

 

[67Dart273]

The only other issue--and this is abnormal--is if someone has destroyed the "key spline." The pitman is keyed to the box, and the column is keyed to the wheel, unless they have been "modified"