I have a 1986 Suzuki Samurai with a leaf over lift, when driving straight the steering wheel is turned a 1/4 turn, I recently purchased this unit lifted. I had to bring it in for a inspection for insurance and the inspection place is saying I need a wheel alignment to correct this. And they will not pass it til this is corrected.  when going down the highway it does not pull, is there another way to straighten the steering wheel without giving it a alignment? can I pull off the steering wheel and reinstall straight?.

Yes, you can just pull the steering wheel.  That is what I did to correct the steering on my SJ when it was off a bit to one side.

Yes, you can just pull the steering wheel.  That is what I did to correct the steering on my SJ when it was off a bit to one side.

Thanks
That was simple

Kind of weird they complain about that of all things.  You would think they would be more interested in WHY it is no longer straight. 

do you have Z-link or OTT steering? i know you can disconnect your steering equipment from the pitman arm, then straighten the wheel and adapt the length of steering stuff to fit. 

either way ought to work, which ever you think would be easier

Don't mean to bring up another problem, but I think that just pulling the steering wheel would be a "temporary" fix.  Unless it's off-road only and you don't care about it, pulling the steering wheel will mess with the turn signal cancellers, wouldn't it?  If you don't care and just want it good enough for inspection, then no biggy, but if you do want normal signal functions, then probably look further, such as the linkage, what needs to be lengthened/adjusted, etc.

Unless it's off-road only and you don't care about it, pulling the steering wheel will mess with the turn signal cancellers, wouldn't it?

I was talking to BRD HNTR about this over the weekend, your right in that it will throw off the cancellers but a small adjustment usually isn't enough to cause a bother.  The proper fix is to do as jow003 mentioned, fix your steering so it's centered.  I recommend picking up the Stage One ott system from Sky Manufacturing.  If you want the full ott system you can just get the second half later.  I haven't bothered, but I have bent up two front tie rods.

If he has a good turning radius them he doesn't want to change the pitman arm setting. Moving the arm a spline in either direction would tighten up the turning radius right or left. Te result could be as dramatic as turning left and having to back up and try again in some instance.

One or 2 splines makes a world of difference. (think of it like gear reduction)

His is more of an alignment problem I would guess with the tie rods whem the steering was changed.

Moving the steering wheel is the simplest fix and will not have any noticable effects on the turn signal functionality.

In all actuality they are not functioning properly now if wheel is off kiltered to oneside or the other. With the wheel in its present position the turn signals are ether comming on early or late in relationship to the actual turning of the vehicle.

Another suggestion would be to get an alighnment since most likely this is the root cause of your problem. You might want to watch your tire wear if you move the steering wheel. If it seems the tires are beginning to wear then get an alighnment. and prepare to move the steering wheel back.


                                                                                 Tux...

pulling the steering wheel will mess with the turn signal cancellers, wouldn't it? 

NO it won't, the turnsignal cancellers is attached to the wheel so it will actually fix them.  only the ignition steering column lock will be offset.

However, turning the wheel will not fix the real issue of why the wheel is crooked after a lift.

Different application, but same basic idea.  My brother's Super Duty had the steering wheel drastically offset to the right after installing a 6" spring lift.  I believe it had something to do with the drag link.  The geometry was changed when the axle was dropped down a bit which "shortened" the effective length of the drag link, and misaligned the steering to one side.  They didn't move the steering wheel, but adjusted something in the linkage.

You are correct about the geometry changing... Everything is being pulled upward. That is why there are drop pitman arms, Zlinks, Over the Top, etc.. all are trying to relieve that upward pull.

On the lifts I have installed I have marked the beginning alignment prior to installation and tried to return this to the original position following installation by adjusting the toe in / out.

Then it is off to the alignment shop for a final adjustment.

Based on the original post the vehicle tracked straight with no apparent ill effects. that was the reaon I said for him to watch the tire wear closely. If this begins to change the an alignment is necessary. If not I wouldn't waste the $$$.

                                                                             Tux...

I want to buy the house that has that big shop with the refer keg between Drone and BRD HNTR.  My zuke would be BA then.

I want to buy the house that has that big shop with the refer keg between Drone and BRD HNTR.  My zuke would be BA then.

Then we would have some brew while waiting on parts!!  Nothing like a big shop with the refer keg to make friends.

Re: Steering problem
You could get a dropped Pitman arm and it may straighten the steering out by itself.
Or
I would check the turns from centered steering wheel to each side. 
If equal then I would attempt to straighten out by adjusting the ends of tie rod (but I doubt that it will be enough), so then pull the Pitman arm and center steering wheel and tires.
If not equal, count the turns lock to lock, divide by two and move steering wheel to true centered position.  Then remove/replace the pitman arm to straighten out the wheels, and either remove/replace the steering wheel or the steering coupling to level the steering wheel.

If it drives and tracks true.... and the only beef is with the steering wheel being crooked pull the steering wheel and realign it. It's just waaaaay simple.

If you pull the pitman arm make sure you mark where you started from. It will save you some headache if you should happen to be a spline or two off.

Just outta curosity ..... why don't you want to spend the $$$ to have it aligned? (I'm guessing because it drives and tracks fine..... and ya don't wanna donate yer hard earned $$$$ if ya don't hafta...)

I have an 88 Samurai. I also lifted my Zuk and found the steering wheel was about 45 degrees off. The Zuk's drag link bar cannot be adjusted. I followed this and others' advice. The horn button pops right off and a single nut/washer holds the wheel on. It was easy to remove. Leave the nut partially on (so you don't hit yourself in the face) and rock the wheel out at 12 and 6, then 3 and 9 while pulling towards you. The wheel sits on a fine-splined shaft. I was able to turn and replace the wheel. Torque to spec.