Steering wheel not straight!

[imported_vando]

Only noticed today amazingly but my steering wheel isn't straight when i'm driving in a straight line! A bit petty I know but it annoys me! I had the tracking done when I had new front tyres fitted recently, would this have caused it cos I'm sure it was ok till then, and if it did cause it how can I sort it out?!

Cheers!

Steve

 

[AndyMac]

Unless someone's taken the steering wheel off and put it back on crooked, unlikely as the adjustment on the centre spline is quite dramatic, then the tracking has not been done correctly. The wheel should definately be perfectly straight with correct wheel alignment/tracking and evenly worn tyres, unless a steering arm or part of the suspension is worn or bent.

 

[dickys3]

I had my car 4 wheel aligned at my local dealer. My wheel doesn't sit straight now either! Keep meaning to take it back but never get around to it!

It is starting to annoy me mind you!

 

[AndyMac]

I wouldn't trust a high street tyre shack with tracking or alignment, they're hardly gonna spend the time necessary to get it spot on. Try and find a tracking specialist.

 

[Khufu]

I'd take it back - they will need to adjust the track rod ends equally until it is straight eg 4 clockwise turns on the one side and 4 anti-clockwise on the other side etc or just remove the steering wheel and turn is around on the spline but they will have to disconnect the battery to avoid the airbag going off or the warning light coming on.

 

[HTC]

You can have perfect tracking with a steering wheel that isn't straight. The rack will be slightly wound to one side. Basically you will have very slightly more lock on one side to the other.

When the garage set the tracking they should centre the wheel propery before touching the track rod adjustment.

So many places don't bother, or just guess it.

When I was working as a mechanic, I'd use a lock that holds the wheel to the brake pedal for good measure.

Anyways, I'm waffling now. Take it to a reliable place and ask them to centre the wheel next time they track the steering.

 

[nervus]

Take it to a specialist, HTC is bang on. You tracking is probably fine but you want your wheel in the centre or it will drive you crazy!

I've been there with my old civic type-r, Dealer, local backstreet ***** and quick-fit couldn't sort it. The alignment was also out from factory as it scrubbed four tyres in 3k miles. I had to take it to an independent specialist in the end.

 

[fnbloke]

Had a similar problem myself, got my new wheels fitted and got the tracking done at a local Hi-Q, seemed ok at first, then gradually started to pull to the right and wheel wasn't exactly straight when i was driving straight, as others said, petty but annoying.

So i took it back, they checked and and there was some kind of problem, i slightly overheard a conversation whilst waiting, after that they were ever so helpful. not exactly sure of the problem, but they said it was now sorted. but after driving down south and covering 550 miles in 2 days i am once again noticing the same, when i let go of the wheel it starts to move right, it doesn't pull that way, just goes that way, its ok under braking though.

the tyres are new so not that, wasn't sure if it was maybe the road camber, but in that case it should do it in both directions. Wonder if there is anything else wrong?

AndyMac- Where could i check for a tracking specialist, especially up north?

Ross /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif