Steering problems

[stevo1986]

Steering was fine until About a week ago then all of a sudden the steering wheel is off centre by 40/45 degrees but I can't seem to find any failed ball joints or anything bent etc and ideas?

[BUSHWHACKER]

Depends on what vehicle you're referring to, there's differing steering systems between the three different generations.

[stevo1986]

Mine is a j reg 1991 2.4 ln130. Not to sure of all terminology just yet

[BUSHWHACKER]

Mine is a j reg 1991 2.4 ln130. Not to sure of all terminology just yet

Ad the details above to your profile on the left, will help with future questions.

Have you bumped a curb recently?
Does the truck track straight if you let go of the steering wheel?

[stevo1986]

No not hit any curb done little off roading but mainly mud. It slowly pulls left not severe just slightly. Maybe I'm looking to hard but driver side wheel seems to not be straight vertically asif one of the main ball joints has failed

[stevo1986]

However I've checked all ball joints and steering ball joints and all seem to be ok

[BUSHWHACKER]

Does it sit level at the front? i.e. same gap between the tyre and wheelarch both sides?

Has the truck had a bodylift?

[stevo1986]

Looks to sit level and no not had a body lift yet want to get this issue sorted before doing anymore mods. I'm pretty stumped to be honest

[stevo1986]

idler arm bushes? tyre pressures?

What's the best way to check the bushes

[lord_flashart]

Is it something silly like the steering shaft bolt being loose and the wheel spinning on the shaft (has any of it had to be slackened and re-torqued for a body lift at all?)

[stevo1986]

Nah no body lift done as of yet need steering issue sorted first. I'll have just work my way from steering column n go though each component I think. Unless any1 has and ideas ?

[Ambobeer]

Brake caliper binding?

[stevo1986]

Nope and surely that wouldn't make the steering wheel be out by 40/45 degrees even if it was binding ?

[BUSHWHACKER]

It must to be something to do with the steering shaft.

It's in four sections, from the steering wheel to the joint above the pedals. Then to the joint near the exhaust manifold, then the section that includes the 'rag' joint then the final short section that goes into the steering box. Each section has a splined end to the shaft, maybe one of the pinch bolts is missing or loose and the shaft has jumped a few of the splines to make the steering wheel off centre??
A 12mm spanner or socket is all thats needed to tighten the bolts.

[stevo1986]

That seems to be most relevant as all steering ball joint are ok so that's all I think it could be unless it could be inside the box ?