Steering wheel mounted 90 degrees in the wrong direction

Just bought a 95 tacoma and the steering wheel is mounted incorrectly, so when I’m going straight the steering wheel is sideways. Any tips on rotating it back to the center?

 

How is the alignment? If the steering rack was replaced and not properly centered, the wheel will be off.

 

Drives very straight and there isn’t too much play in the wheel.

 

You could adjust the tie rods and re-center it that way, but before doing that...
Set the wheels straight.
Mark the top center of steering wheel with tape or something and count number of rotations side to side and see if they are the same.
You're checking to see if the steering rack is centered. At that age, it's prolly been replaced at least once.

 

Take it in for an alignment. Part of an alignment is centering the steering wheel. At least its supposed to be. Look for a decent, reputable shop and take it in.

Welcome to TacomaWorld!

 

How many turns to the right and how many turns to the left?

You should only get around 2.5 rotations of the steering wheel each direction.

I'm gonna be surprised if you don't have a malfunctioning horn or cruise control.

The ribbon cable in the steering column is only good for a bit over 2.5 turns each way. More turns than that and the ribbon cable(clock spring) will tear.

 

Tacomas 1998+ (not sure about pre 1998) are 3.55 turns lock to lock. 1.8 to the left and 1.75 to the right. I can't imagine the 1995 needing 2.5 turns in either direction. That's school bus territory.

 

This is not uncommon after a steering rack replacement by an inexperienced mechanic. If the truck turns the same amount at full lock in both directions, then you can straighten the wheels out, pull the steering wheel, and put it back on straight. If the truck turns like a Mini Cooper in one direction and like a dump truck in the other, you need your tie rods adjusted.

 

I was going by memory. I appreciate the correction.

The point is that both directions should be very similar.

 

Drive your truck forward with wheel straight. Then back up about 2ft and roll forward. Do it twice to get the steering in neutral straight position. Then Loosen one end of the steering coupler (by the steering rack) 12mm bolt ans remove the other 12 mm
And clock that coupler in correct orientation to get the steering wheel straight.

Don't mess with the tie rod ends or pulling steering wheel off and clocking.

 

Well, OP hasn't replied but I'm going to leave this right here...





Get the wheels (tires) facing straight forward, try to make it so you have equal # of threads showing on the outer ties and then take it into the alignment shop and let them do their job. Is it really worth messing with number of turns this way or that risking your clock spring? So what if your steering wheel is off kilter by 98 degrees. They can fix it.

 

Just go get it aligned.

Don't bother trying to reset the tie rods or anything on your own. A competent alignment shop will do ALL that and make sure your steering wheel is straight, too. If something is damaged that prevents a proper alignment, they'll be able to diagnose that as well.

 

Alignment shop will not reset power steering rack to its center position. they would do it for additional cost.

Alignment shop motto is....
Set "Toe" and go.

 

Nothing you said refuted anything I said. I never said they'd do it for free anyhow.

 

Set toe and go

 

Why bother with camber and caster huh?

I did a DIY alignment at home. My truck has about 2.5" of lift. Assuming my interpretation correct, no way you can meet caster specs on a lifted truck. To meet camber spec with a lift requires the settings at the limit on drivers side so you're stuck with whatever caster ends up as. Passenger side is different for some reason, to match caster from drivers side I was not at the limit. I think this has been mentioned here before that its not symmetrical driver/pass- at least I hope so as I have never been in accident.

In my case I think caster is about 1 degree, seems to be enough for the steering to self center but interesting that the alignment shops never mention this - I suppose they see so many lifted trucks there's no point and customer won't understand anyhow.