Used AEV Procal to Center Steering and Wheel Still Off!
02-27-2012 | 07:47 AM
#11
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,882
Likes: 172
From: Maine
No, the procal will turn of the lights to let you know which way to turn the drag link adjustment. You still need to loosen them. You then twist it, and it lights up either the left or the right turn signal to tell you which way to twist. once both lights come on, the steer wheel is now centered. The problem is, the procal only tells you that the steering wheel is centered; it does not indicated if the steering wheel is centered to the wheels being centered. Therefore, you can "center" the steering wheel with the procal, and still have the abs kick in as you're driving because you centered the steering wheel while the wheels were off center.
to use it correctly, you should drive, until you know the wheels (the tires, not the steering wheel). If using the procal, follow procal instructions. then get out, loosen the two bolts on the draglink, and twist until steering wheel is centered. retighten the bolts. drive again to check to see if the steering wheel is now centered properly with the tires. repeat as needed.
the procal does nothing to confuse the computer. it simply tells you the steering wheel is centered (centered in the cabin, not in any way correlating to the tires)
to use it correctly, you should drive, until you know the wheels (the tires, not the steering wheel). If using the procal, follow procal instructions. then get out, loosen the two bolts on the draglink, and twist until steering wheel is centered. retighten the bolts. drive again to check to see if the steering wheel is now centered properly with the tires. repeat as needed.
the procal does nothing to confuse the computer. it simply tells you the steering wheel is centered (centered in the cabin, not in any way correlating to the tires)
After all other steering components are aligned to give straight tracking, the ProCal only helps you put the steering wheel in its center position. That's important because the computer wants to know when the driver is turning the steering wheel.
02-27-2012 | 08:21 AM
#12
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 527
Likes: 0
From: Triad, NC
I used a plumb line down the side of my jeep to be sure the front and rear tires were squared up with each other. Take two jack stands and tie the plumb line to each and position one in front and one behind your Jeep. Center the plumb line vertically with the center caps or hubs of your wheels and make sure the line lays across the sidewalls equally, adjusting your steering wheel with the engine running until your square. Pay attention to the side lugs and roll the jeep as needed to get it aligned properly. Then play with the ProCal to center the steering wheel. Or take it to shop and put it on the alignment rack and let them use the ProCal once they got your front wheels centered.
As others here have said, the ProCal only centers the steering wheel, regardless of where your front wheels are positioned, so obviously you need to square up the front wheels before using it. Again, when the steering wheel is centered the turn signals both light up and the high beam indicator should light. Lastly, try to keep the knuckle from moving while you tighten the bolts
As others here have said, the ProCal only centers the steering wheel, regardless of where your front wheels are positioned, so obviously you need to square up the front wheels before using it. Again, when the steering wheel is centered the turn signals both light up and the high beam indicator should light. Lastly, try to keep the knuckle from moving while you tighten the bolts
Last edited by vulcan classic; 02-27-2012 at 08:26 AM.
02-27-2012 | 08:27 AM
#13
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,882
Likes: 172
From: Maine
I used a plumb line down the side of my jeep to be sure the front and rear tires were squared up with each other. Take two jack stands and tie the plumb line to each and position one in front and one behind your Jeep. Center the plumb line vertically with the center caps or hubs of your wheels and make sure the line lays across the sidewalls equally, adjusting your steering wheel with the engine running until your square. Pay attention to the side lugs and roll the jeep as needed to get it aligned properly. Then play with the ProCal to center the steering wheel. Or take it to shop and put it on the alignment rack and let them use the ProCal once they got your front wheels centered.
As others here have said, the ProCal only centers the steering wheel, regardless of where your front wheels are positioned, so obviously you need to square up the front wheels before using it. Again, when the steering wheel is centered the turn signals both light up and the high beam indicator should light.
As others here have said, the ProCal only centers the steering wheel, regardless of where your front wheels are positioned, so obviously you need to square up the front wheels before using it. Again, when the steering wheel is centered the turn signals both light up and the high beam indicator should light.
02-27-2012 | 08:36 AM
#14
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 527
Likes: 0
From: Triad, NC
Agreed, tow-in is about 1/8" of an inch inward compared to the rear tire but this still should get your steering wheel close to center. Took me two tries and it came right in, considering my wheel was first at about 2:00 position after my lift was installed. The second try I basically just loosened the bolts and re-tightened them and it was nearly perfect.
02-27-2012 | 10:11 AM
#15
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Greenville, SC
I used a plumb line down the side of my jeep to be sure the front and rear tires were squared up with each other. Take two jack stands and tie the plumb line to each and position one in front and one behind your Jeep. Center the plumb line vertically with the center caps or hubs of your wheels and make sure the line lays across the sidewalls equally, adjusting your steering wheel with the engine running until your square. Pay attention to the side lugs and roll the jeep as needed to get it aligned properly. Then play with the ProCal to center the steering wheel. Or take it to shop and put it on the alignment rack and let them use the ProCal once they got your front wheels centered.
As others here have said, the ProCal only centers the steering wheel, regardless of where your front wheels are positioned, so obviously you need to square up the front wheels before using it. Again, when the steering wheel is centered the turn signals both light up and the high beam indicator should light. Lastly, try to keep the knuckle from moving while you tighten the bolts
As others here have said, the ProCal only centers the steering wheel, regardless of where your front wheels are positioned, so obviously you need to square up the front wheels before using it. Again, when the steering wheel is centered the turn signals both light up and the high beam indicator should light. Lastly, try to keep the knuckle from moving while you tighten the bolts
02-29-2012 | 06:41 PM
#17
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 433
Likes: 1
From: Charleston, SC
Originally Posted by Basecamper
Probably why the Procal instructions advise you need to be on an alignment rack to center the steering wheel.
02-29-2012 | 07:44 PM
#18
JK Super Freak
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,236
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Originally Posted by c17loadmaster
I just went ten rounds with my jk and the esp/ steering wheel problem. I installed a drop pitman arm and then tried to center the steering wheel. Like everyone else said the procal only shows you where the dead zero steering is...it does not program anything. It didnt work for me either. I took my 15mm wrench out for a drive... Drove 1/2 mile and let the jeep track straight" ignore the steering wheel at this point. You want your tires straight... You fix the steering wheel with the tie rod." got out adjusted the tie rod. Drove again. Repeat. Took me 4 stops at about 1/8 of a tie rod turn at a time but I was able to center the steering wheel slowly.
I straightened mine after a lift but the ESP constantly came on going around turns. So I got a procal. It shows you what the jeep computer believes is straight which actually is the steering wheel tilting to the left in my case. Never had a premature ESP issue after the procal.
03-01-2012 | 04:38 AM
#20
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 433
Likes: 1
From: Charleston, SC
Originally Posted by Saharaunlmtd
But did it quiet your ESP? It's easy to straighten your steering wheel by adjusting your draglink but due to a lift, dead on straight will cause premature ESP activation.
I straightened mine after a lift but the ESP constantly came on going around turns. So I got a procal. It shows you what the jeep computer believes is straight which actually is the steering wheel tilting to the left in my case. Never had a premature ESP issue after the procal.