Centering Steering Wheel
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 121
Likes: 4
From: Atlanta Georgia
Centering Steering Wheel
Is this tough to do? I took the car into the dealer, told them it was about 10 degrees off center. The repair ticket said they adjusted the front and rear suspension, I never noticed anything wrong with the steering, the wheel is still off center. Is it a problem to center? Just curious.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 52
From: Colorado Springs CO
I had this exact problem with a VW Jetta VR6 I had brand new. I didn't get it fixed for a few thousand miles and by the time I got around to it they told me they wouldn't fix it without charging me for an alignment!!! There wasn't an alignment problem, the steering wheel was crooked! Anyway, here's the deal:
It's not a big deal for them to center your steering wheel, BUT it WILL cause them to have to do a realignment after they are done simply because of the work they have to do to straighten it. It was just installed improperly.
It's not a big deal for them to center your steering wheel, BUT it WILL cause them to have to do a realignment after they are done simply because of the work they have to do to straighten it. It was just installed improperly.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,233
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From: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
Setting the alignment will center your steering wheel. They will adjust the toe settings on both wheels, one way at the same rate and it will center the steering wheel. I can't really explain it in words without showing with a model....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 121
Likes: 4
From: Atlanta Georgia
Thanks, evidently what they did, didn't work. Guess I'll try again, not a big deal, but I just want it right. I'm probably too picky. I have a E320 M-B and they seem to fix things like this the first time, oh well, an SL would have been another $50k over the C5 so I suppose I'll just grin and bear it.
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Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Originally Posted by corvette dave
Barry,
Have the alignment tech drive the car or ride along with you for a test drive.
It is much easier that way.
Very easy fix.
Have the alignment tech drive the car or ride along with you for a test drive.
It is much easier that way.
Very easy fix.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
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From: King George VA
Originally Posted by Barry Hanna
Is this tough to do? I took the car into the dealer, told them it was about 10 degrees off center. The repair ticket said they adjusted the front and rear suspension, I never noticed anything wrong with the steering, the wheel is still off center. Is it a problem to center? Just curious.
Short example:
Say your steering wheel is straight and your car turns left. You need to move both front tires to the right to result in a centered steering wheel. To do so, you would shorten the LF tie rod, and lengthen the RF tie rod by the same amount. 10 degrees of off center wheel is about two flats of the tie rods.
As a note, I have toe plates, so when I'm done doing this, I can check my total toe and make sure I didn't mess it up.
Best bet if you don't have toe plates, is to take it back, drive it with the alignment tech and let him do this for you. Good luck.
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Safety Car
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From: Arroyo Grande CA