Hi, it has ben pointed out to me (after a service) that my steering wheel is off centre. Is this an important job to rectify ? It's not far off centre , I haven't suffered any excessive tyre wear and the car drives ok. I seem to recall this came about after I had a suspension part replaced a couple of years ago, and now the car requires another similar part to be replaced too, was thinking that a wheel alignment after this work would sort out the steering wheel alignment too? Am I right do you think, any help would be great, thank you.
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Steering wheel alignment
- Thread starter 20v roper
- Start date
Having an off centre steering wheel is a purely aesthetic thing, it just means that when you're going straight, the steering wheel isn't!
It usually happens after a 'lazy' wheel alignment, when the tyre place doesn't set the steering wheel before doing the alignment. You're right that another wheel alignment will fix it, but just to make sure point it out to the fitter so they definitely sort it. There's no benefit to doing it before then, it's not wearing the tyres or doing any other damage.
It usually happens after a 'lazy' wheel alignment, when the tyre place doesn't set the steering wheel before doing the alignment. You're right that another wheel alignment will fix it, but just to make sure point it out to the fitter so they definitely sort it. There's no benefit to doing it before then, it's not wearing the tyres or doing any other damage.
Unless steering has changed significantly in the last couple of years, neither of those statements is true. Alignment only checks the two roadwheels are in line with each other, it's purely optional to have the steering wheel straight when its being done. If the mechanic doesn't use some sort of mechanical device on the steering wheel, and fixes the alignment by using only one rod end instead of both like they should do, the steering wheel can end up off centre. I ended up with a steering wheel 90 degrees out after one particular incompetent alignment, but apart from problems engaging the steering lock I had no problems with it. As a side note, the mechanic told me the steering wheel had to be removed and rotated on it's splines to fix the issue, and it would cost lots. I was so gullible back then...
And a wonky steering wheel gives no indication whether the steering rack has a problem or not.
And a wonky steering wheel gives no indication whether the steering rack has a problem or not.
Your statement is also incorrect to align the steering wheel tracking must be offset equally via both track rod ends so if the left is out it must be compensated by the right also so that the correction is made and the steering wheel is central, My cousion was an alignment technician and mot tester for 10 years.
So answer to your question is the wheel can be aligned via both track ends and tracking being checked, a decent tracking specialist should do this anyway unless monkeys are working on the car, Its pretty easy to do yourself anyway.
So answer to your question is the wheel can be aligned via both track ends and tracking being checked, a decent tracking specialist should do this anyway unless monkeys are working on the car, Its pretty easy to do yourself anyway.
Although Slimy you did touch on that the original posters question has now been answered yes its doable and easy to do yourself, straighten the wheel so thats its centre, adjust the track ends to eye it up then have a tracking specialist check your tracking after this bingo!! straight wheel!
I think we're arguing the same point, but just to clarify. If for example I took my car and the left wheel was one degree toe-in, and the other was two degrees toe-in (extreme, but it'll make sense shortly). A good technician (for instance your cousin) would lock the steering wheel in its straight ahead position, and dial out the relevant angle from each wheel.
On the other hand, a lazy technician/monkey would simply access the nearest rod end and dial out three degrees. It would still end up with the wheel being aligned, but the whole rack would be out by half an inch or so and the steering wheel would be at an angle.
It doesn't mean there is an issue with the wheel alignment, or an issue with the steering rack. It just means there are still mechanics out there who don't give a monkeys.
thanks everyone, so basically 80 odd quid plus the new vat rate could bes saved by not having the wheel straightened up because as i said it drives ok. it depends on the replacement of the 'control arm' i suppose but would this mean having to have a full alignment? last time i was told the technician was able to use the visible markings left from the old part which was being replaced! thanks again.
Yes, it's advisable to do a full realignment if it's the control arm you're replacing. Even the thickness of new bushes will be enough to push the wheel out slightly and mess up the alignment.
So don't do anything yet, have it all done in one.
So don't do anything yet, have it all done in one.
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