Steering alignment after cam install
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 8
From: Hopatcong New Jersey
Yes. Either you didn't lock your steering wheel in place while the rack was out and it rotated a little, or your wheels/hubs weren't straight when you re-installed your tie rod ends...or both...either way I would get an alignment for sure. 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 14
From: Odessa TX
Steering wheel was locked in place. I sort of eyed the wheels being straight, figured it'd either line up or be way off. I read that the wheel would be off by 1/4 a turn minimum if the wheels weren't straight when reinstall the rack.
Let get an alignment I guess. Was just surprised since I didn't read too much about people needing one after a cam install. Is it just the steering wheel that has changed or is the suspension geometry off now?
Let get an alignment I guess. Was just surprised since I didn't read too much about people needing one after a cam install. Is it just the steering wheel that has changed or is the suspension geometry off now?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,153
Likes: 892
From: South Western Ontario
The rack likely moved left a slight amount compared to where it was. Shouldn't have messed up anything but the steering wheel position. Unless you screwed the tie rod ends on or off the rack or messed with the control arms you really couldn't have thrown anything else off.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,226
Likes: 33
From: Morton illinois
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
Why on earth would he need an alignment? The rack does not do any alignment, only the centric bolt on the subframe and stuff you didn't touch. Make sure the steering arm is where it was and make sure is tight tight.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 8
From: Hopatcong New Jersey
Well then at the very least I would put the car back up, disconnect the tie rod ends and straighten the wheels out. I wouldn't be able to deal with the steering wheel being off regardless of how straight the car drove.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
If the steering is off that much,,, your EBTCM should be having fit! Are you getting any AH, Antilock issues??
Before you get an alignment,, you are going to need to get the Steering Wheel Position Sensor (SWPS) checked to see if it is ZERO. If it isnt, the Active Handling system will never work correctly (If you have AH)
Bill
Before you get an alignment,, you are going to need to get the Steering Wheel Position Sensor (SWPS) checked to see if it is ZERO. If it isnt, the Active Handling system will never work correctly (If you have AH)
Bill
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 14
From: Odessa TX
02 z06 so it has ah/tc. No issues with them so far though . Is 5 degrees really a significant amount to be off by? I'mgoing to get the car back in the aair and see if I can play with the steering shaft coupler a bit.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,153
Likes: 892
From: South Western Ontario
I doubt you can adjust anything at the coupler, with the flats I can't see it allowing any change in the connection. If you're doing it, also plan on loosening the rack mount bolts and trying to push the rack to the right or just loosing the jamb nuts at the tie rod ends and turning the tie rods equal amounts to straighten the wheel. You'd want to screw the tie rods further into the end on the left and further out of the end on the right.
WTF does this mean? The tie rods will re-connect exactly the same when they are removed and re-installed at the tapered joint. You can install the tie rods ends back into the knuckles with the wheel pointed in any direction you want and it won't change a damn thing.
WTF does this mean? The tie rods will re-connect exactly the same when they are removed and re-installed at the tapered joint. You can install the tie rods ends back into the knuckles with the wheel pointed in any direction you want and it won't change a damn thing.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 8
From: Hopatcong New Jersey
WTF does this mean? The tie rods will re-connect exactly the same when they are removed and re-installed at the tapered joint. You can install the tie rods ends back into the knuckles with the wheel pointed in any direction you want and it won't change a damn thing.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,454
Likes: 412
From: Portland OR
I doubt you can adjust anything at the coupler, with the flats I can't see it allowing any change in the connection. If you're doing it, also plan on loosening the rack mount bolts and trying to push the rack to the right or just loosing the jamb nuts at the tie rod ends and turning the tie rods equal amounts to straighten the wheel. You'd want to screw the tie rods further into the end on the left and further out of the end on the right.
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I bet the rack bushing is sloppy. Just loosen the bolts and slide it the opposite way. If you can move it, you have your answer.Mine didn't change one bit when I had it out.
Ron
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,960
Likes: 135
From: Maryland
How about loosening the rack mounting bolts, put the car on the ground, and rotate the steering wheel the opposite direction to move the rack. If there is any slop in the rack mounting, this may slide it over. I'd do it with the engine off.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I doubt you can adjust anything at the coupler, with the flats I can't see it allowing any change in the connection. If you're doing it, also plan on loosening the rack mount bolts and trying to push the rack to the right or just loosing the jamb nuts at the tie rod ends and turning the tie rods equal amounts to straighten the wheel. You'd want to screw the tie rods further into the end on the left and further out of the end on the right.
WTF does this mean? The tie rods will re-connect exactly the same when they are removed and re-installed at the tapered joint. You can install the tie rods ends back into the knuckles with the wheel pointed in any direction you want and it won't change a damn thing.
WTF does this mean? The tie rods will re-connect exactly the same when they are removed and re-installed at the tapered joint. You can install the tie rods ends back into the knuckles with the wheel pointed in any direction you want and it won't change a damn thing.
LOL!!
That is exactly what I was going to say. Unless someone intentionally loosened the tie rod jam nuts and physically screwed with them, theres little or no chance that the issue. Your RACK will only go in ONE WAY and there is little or NO "side to side" play to move it.
Your mechanic or who ever put the steering shaft and the rack input shaft back together failed to maintain the original alignment. The rack shaft is most likely off by one revolution. It really easy to do.
Bill
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 8
From: Hopatcong New Jersey
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
BC
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
You dont want the steering wheel off a half turn to rack / It could seriously damage the air bag clock spring behind steering wheel.
New alignment machines use Cameras not lazers and are MUCH more accurate ( Just bought one )
If the ride height has been changed (most have ) that will throw off the camber and you spent the $$$$ for cam upgrade--Geez get a alignment..
New alignment machines use Cameras not lazers and are MUCH more accurate ( Just bought one )
If the ride height has been changed (most have ) that will throw off the camber and you spent the $$$$ for cam upgrade--Geez get a alignment..
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 8
From: Hopatcong New Jersey
Gotcha... Was just clarifying that I wasn't completely wrong in my first post. Just a minor brain fart mixing up tie rod end connections with steering shaft connection...all good
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Get the steering wheel center fixed FIRST. You should find some one with a GM Tech2. That will allow you to read the the SWPS and figure out which way to turn the wheel to zero it. Then just disconnect the coupler and point the front wheels straight ahead and then reconnect the coupler.
Then get you alignment!
BC
Then get you alignment!
BC