Steering guides are used to control the position of a long span. There are three web spans important to a steering guide's performance: entry span, exit span and pre-entry span. Controlling the web in the entry span should be viewed as the primary function of steering guide. The application of a steering guide is at the exit of a long, unsupported span in a drying or curing oven. A steering guide at the end of a long span will actively control the position of the long oven span, preventing the web from tracking off the roller face or crashing into the oven walls. It has a unique motion combining lateral translation and rotation of the pivoting roller.