Installed a new steering rack, steering wheel isn't centered anymore

[blakkoutdarko]

Installed new steering rack, steering wheel is off center now

I curbed my 86 over a month ago leaving me to have to buy another Rays 57DR wheel, new tire, passenger side control arm, steering rack and I said I’m im replacing one LCA might as well do the other. I followed the service manual on replacing the rack and keeping the steering wheel centered by using the seat belt in which it did stay centered during the entire install, but now when I drive my car and park it the “86” logo has to be turned to a 180 degree angle for the wheels to be straight. Would an alignment fix this and get the steering wheel back perfectly centered or would I have to remove the steering rack again and realign the splines in the steering column/steering intermediate shaft?

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Did you set the tie rods to be the same length on the new rack as they were on the old rack? If, not you probably just need alignment to center it and to correct any toe in/out.

[blakkoutdarko]

Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast

Did you set the tie rods to be the same length on the new rack as they were on the old rack? If, not you probably just need alignment to center it and to correct any toe in/out.

The steering rack I ordered was OEM from Toyotapartsdeal.com and I didn’t change anything literally as soon as I opened the box I installed it onto my car. I never knew you had to “set” the tie rods. What do you mean by that they seemed fit fine back where they were supposed to be. I torqued it down correctly and what not. I can really even use the old rack as a reference since I threw it away.

[NoHaveMSG]

Just get it aligned. The position of the rod ends on the rack is what is causing it.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by blakkoutdarko

I never knew you had to “set” the tie rods.

Well now you know. Typically people would place the old rack next to the new rack and set the length of the tie rods the same. Or, if re-using the old tie rods mark the position of the threads or note down the length and make sure it's the same when installed on the new rack.

Either way, alignment is recommended afterwards.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast

Either way, alignment is required afterwards.

fify

OP, we've all had our first time doing this. It would be an actual miracle if it lined up after assembly. Just get it close enough to safely drive to the shop.

...carefully

[blakkoutdarko]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

fify

OP, we've all had our first time doing this. It would be an actual miracle if it lined up after assembly. Just get it close enough to safely drive to the shop.

...carefully

Didn’t take it apart but it was safe enough to drive to the shop and they took it out, centered the steering column to where it’s supposed to be and did an alignment. Car drives like new.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by blakkoutdarko

Didn’t take it apart but it was safe enough to drive to the shop and they took it out, centered the steering column to where it’s supposed to be and did an alignment. Car drives like new.

Excellent! Happy trails!