Alignment Question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 983
Likes: 5
From: Granada Hills CA
Alignment Question
I routinely go back and forth between a track and street alignment by removing shims on the upper A arms and then adjusting the toe.
This last time after changing back to a street setup, I noticed my steering wheel was off center a little bit. It is pointing to the right a little bit. The car tracks pretty straight as I ride down the road, maybe pulls a little right, but not much. If I straighten the wheel, the car obviously steers to the left. I normally try to reset my toe to 1/16 out. How do I get the wheel straight and have the car track straight?
This last time after changing back to a street setup, I noticed my steering wheel was off center a little bit. It is pointing to the right a little bit. The car tracks pretty straight as I ride down the road, maybe pulls a little right, but not much. If I straighten the wheel, the car obviously steers to the left. I normally try to reset my toe to 1/16 out. How do I get the wheel straight and have the car track straight?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 35
From: Turlock CA
I routinely go back and forth between a track and street alignment by removing shims on the upper A arms and then adjusting the toe.
This last time after changing back to a street setup, I noticed my steering wheel was off center a little bit. It is pointing to the right a little bit. The car tracks pretty straight as I ride down the road, maybe pulls a little right, but not much. If I straighten the wheel, the car obviously steers to the left. I normally try to reset my toe to 1/16 out. How do I get the wheel straight and have the car track straight?
This last time after changing back to a street setup, I noticed my steering wheel was off center a little bit. It is pointing to the right a little bit. The car tracks pretty straight as I ride down the road, maybe pulls a little right, but not much. If I straighten the wheel, the car obviously steers to the left. I normally try to reset my toe to 1/16 out. How do I get the wheel straight and have the car track straight?
I always have to think about moving the steering wheel position and may not get this right but I think you will want to slightly toe-in the left side and toe-out the right side. This will move the tires toward the right to match the current steering wheel position. It should only be a portion of a flat on the rod that you'll move it.
Having the steering wheel off center will not affect tire wear.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,439
Likes: 920
From: CONCORD NC
steer the fronts TOWARD the direction the steering is off, or the rears AWAY from the direction the steering wheel is off.
It just happens. In my case, my street tires track completely straight, when I put track wheels on the steering wheel is off a little. Just happens....cars are machines, and things move, and there is always inaccuracy in adjustments no matter how careful you try and be.
It just happens. In my case, my street tires track completely straight, when I put track wheels on the steering wheel is off a little. Just happens....cars are machines, and things move, and there is always inaccuracy in adjustments no matter how careful you try and be.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,429
Likes: 44
From: Macon, GA
Do you have a laser and a level you can use to set your thrust?
Straighten your steering wheel by shining the laser from the front tires to the back. See David's web page for detailed instructions.
Straighten your steering wheel by shining the laser from the front tires to the back. See David's web page for detailed instructions.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 598
Likes: 3
From: Farmington MI
As another poster commented, having the wheel off center won't effect anything other than your brain if it bothers you...
