steering wheel not straight
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 17,367
Likes: 1
From: Kentucky
steering wheel not straight
86 L98. Does the steering wheel only go on in a specific way or can you take it off and rotate a little and put back on? 2 days ago my car was in perfect alignment, but the steering wheel sat a little off center. Now since I installed my camber brace and didn't put the shims exactly right I'm going to get the front end realigned and mentioned I wanted them to pull off and straighten my steering wheel also. The mechanic said he thought the steering wheel would only go on a specific way and that wasn't my problem. What do I need to do to straighten?
[Modified by hngacurv, 3:55 PM 9/2/2003]
[Modified by hngacurv, 3:55 PM 9/2/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
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From: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
Re: steering wheel not straight (hngacurv)
First off, vettes get a 4-wheel alignment. The tech will still have to check the rear alignment and thrust angle and then align the front to the rear.
Second, the steering wheel should be keyed to go on one way. A tie-rod adjustment will be required to straighten the wheel.
Second, the steering wheel should be keyed to go on one way. A tie-rod adjustment will be required to straighten the wheel.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
Re: steering wheel not straight (vettek50)
This may be a stupid question, but I'm a fairly new owner and still have a lot to learn about my vette.
I've never heard of a 4 wheel alignment. Does this apply to all years? I have an '89.
I've never heard of a 4 wheel alignment. Does this apply to all years? I have an '89.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: steering wheel not straight (hngacurv)
Saw and read alot on here about the Pit Falls of General Alignments from the unknown vette mechanics... Best suggestion is take it to a Corvette Shop and have the alignment down right... only 2cents worth.... best of luck, vinnie
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 17,367
Likes: 1
From: Kentucky
Re: steering wheel not straight (vinnies87)
Saw and read alot on here about the Pit Falls of General Alignments from the unknown vette mechanics... Best suggestion is take it to a Corvette Shop and have the alignment down right... only 2cents worth.... best of luck, vinnie
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Palm Bay Fl
Re: steering wheel not straight (hngacurv)
Most cars these days require 4-wheel alignments, especially with front wheel drive being so prevailent.
I took mine to my local Tire Kingdom for an alignment and I watched the guy and he did a real good job. He knew exactly what to do and what order to do it in.
The wheel alignment will fix your steering wheel being off-center. (if the guy does a good job).
-Dave C.
I took mine to my local Tire Kingdom for an alignment and I watched the guy and he did a real good job. He knew exactly what to do and what order to do it in.
The wheel alignment will fix your steering wheel being off-center. (if the guy does a good job).
-Dave C.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,333
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Re: steering wheel not straight (hngacurv)
If it's a very small amount off adjusting tie rods can correct it.
If its bigger than very small pull the steering wheel and align wheel to center of rack.
If you try to overcome too much with tie rods you will end up with a large turning radius in one direction and a small turning radius in the other direction.
Ask me how i know :smash: :D
If its bigger than very small pull the steering wheel and align wheel to center of rack.
If you try to overcome too much with tie rods you will end up with a large turning radius in one direction and a small turning radius in the other direction.
Ask me how i know :smash: :D
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 17,367
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From: Kentucky
Re: steering wheel not straight (Beautiful Beast)
Update. My steering wheel was about 1/4 inch off center and I didn't think an alignment would straighten it out, but I was wrong. I got a 4 wheel alignment today and everything is ship shape now.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 125
From: Birmingham AL
Re: steering wheel not straight (hngacurv)
Just for everyone's reference here, my '89 steering wheel is not keyed to the shaft. All other cars that I've worked on had keyed shafts, but not the Vette. Yes, the alignment is the correct way to fix it. But rmember if you ever remove your wheel, make some marks so that it will go back on correctly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Re: steering wheel not straight (HapAFcop)
This may be a stupid question, but I'm a fairly new owner and still have a lot to learn about my vette.
I've never heard of a 4 wheel alignment. Does this apply to all years? I have an '89.
I've never heard of a 4 wheel alignment. Does this apply to all years? I have an '89.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 849
Likes: 1
From: dubuque iowa
Re: steering wheel not straight (Goody)
i agree 4 wheel alighnment is a must also, and if done correctly it should also correct your steering wheel problem......but also for the record the steering wheel is splined with fine equal spaced splines and therefor can go on more than just one way so you could fine tune its location a bi that way if its still not strait but as stated it should be or alighnment was not done correctly.
also steering wheel spline info is based on the 85 as i just had mine apart i belive it is the same on yours.....hope this helps
also steering wheel spline info is based on the 85 as i just had mine apart i belive it is the same on yours.....hope this helps
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,516
Likes: 0
From: Lockport NY
Re: steering wheel not straight (ladystoy69)
...but also for the record the steering wheel is splined with fine equal spaced splines and therefor can go on more than just one way so you could fine tune its location a bi that way if its still not strait...
I agree on the post above that if it is off a little bit that you can adjust the tie rod ends (that is what the alignment mech does as well)...
There is a specific way to align Corvettes F&R; if you see your mechanic backing your car onto the machine to align the rear end, then be wary... :thumbs:
