1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering

[std1940]

I had a front end wheel alignment on my 1940 Coupe .
Now my steering wheel is not centered as it was before?

I had the drag link tie rod replaced as part of the alignment.
My front end is totally stock.
What needs to be done to center the steering wheel to the right clock position?
It is driving me crazy!
Thanks Tom.

[V8 Bob]

The alignment shop should have secured the centered steering wheel before any work was started. Have them re-do the alignment, or find another shop.

[glennpm]

Instructions in the attached pdf.

Glenn

[19Fordy]

std40: Along with glennpm's excellent info. here's a little more:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...steering+wheel
Do a Fordbarn SEARCH on "How to center 1940 Ford steering wheel" and even more appears.

[ford38v8]

You had it done? The pimple faced trainee likely didn’t align your wheels per Ford specs if he didn’t even center the steering wheel. Don’t bother going back there, as the owner apparently relies on customer complaints to educate his flunkies.

[std1940]

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Originally Posted by glennpm

Instructions in the attached pdf.

Glenn

What you are showing me makes perfect sense but my drag link does not have a rotating connecting sleeve.
The passenger side ( right) has a tie rod that screws into the fixture.
The drivers side (left) has a tie rod that does not screw into the fixture .
It is made as part of the fixture.
How do I make the correct adustment with the tie rod with out the adustable connecting sleeve?
Thanks Tom.

[Zax40]

Originally Posted by std1940

What you are showing me makes perfect sense but my drag link does not have a rotating connecting sleeve.
The passenger side ( right) has a tie rod that screws into the fixture.
The drivers side (left) has a tie rod that does not screw into the fixture .
It is made as part of the fixture.
How do I make the correct adustment with the tie rod with out the adustable connecting sleeve?
Thanks Tom.

That does not sound right. Who did you buy your parts from and can you take pics? I just replaced mine two weeks ago so it's still fresh in my mind. The non adjustable end should be on the right (passenger) side and the adjustable side should be on the left (driver) side. It should have a sleeve so it can be adjusted without disconnecting it.

[std1940]

Originally Posted by Zax40

That does not sound right. Who did you buy your parts from and can you take pics? I just replaced mine two weeks ago so it's still fresh in my mind. The non adjustable end should be on the right (passenger) side and the adjustable side should be on the left (driver) side. It should have a sleeve so it can be adjusted without disconnecting it.

This is what I got.
This pictures is from one of Kubes posts.

[glennpm]

Incorrect post

[glennpm]

Incorrect post

[glennpm]

My bad on the drag link.

[Zax40]

Originally Posted by glennpm

You adjust the Tie Rod and NOT the drag link which is the bottom one in Kube's photo.

The tie rod adjustment is for setting toe, the drag link adjustment is for centering the steering wheel

[Zax40]

I bought my drag link from Joe's and it has the adjuster sleeve.

https://www.joesantiqueauto.com/drag-link-11y-3306

[glennpm]

Yes I blew it. Working on my car, listening to wife and not focused :-(

[std1940]

Zax40
I see that the one that Joes sells has the adjusting sleeve but the one I have has nothing wrong with it and is correct according to Kubes pictures.
So how do center the steering wheel with the correct drag link as pictured?
THanks Tom.

[Mart]

If you do not have a separate sleeve you can still adjust it. Break the drag link end at the spindle and turn it in or out to adjust.
Without a separate sleeve you are limited to adjustments where the minimum increment of adjustment is one thread pitch.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Zax40

That does not sound right. Who did you buy your parts from and can you take pics? I just replaced mine two weeks ago so it's still fresh in my mind. The non adjustable end should be on the right (passenger) side and the adjustable side should be on the left (driver) side. It should have a sleeve so it can be adjusted without disconnecting it.

What he has IS correct. The adjustable sleeve type was a service part, not the same as what was installed at the factory.

He will need to remove the end that has the adjustable end, turn it and see if he turned it enough to center the steering wheel or too much.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Zax40

I bought my drag link from Joe's and it has the adjuster sleeve.

https://www.joesantiqueauto.com/drag-link-11y-3306

That link you bought fits and works. It is NOT correct.
The link in the photos is correct.

[std1940]

Kube, Mike,
I have tried turning in both directions and can’t get the steering wheel in the sweet spot.
You are limited because of spindle orientation .
Turning the tie rod to where the steering would be centered makes it impossible to attach to spindle.
Thanks Tom.

[kartrae7]

Unhook drag link. Center steering wheel. Turn drag link end till it drops in hole. If wheels not exactly where you want it adjust again till it is. Mike