Steering wheel alignment
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,161
Likes: 12
From: San Diego CA
Steering wheel alignment
I took my car to the dealer to have the airbag replaced because the red airbag light was staying on. They replaced the airbag (warranty)and I drove the car home. On the way, I noticed the steering wheel was very slightly off center like they replaced the steering wheel and ir was off "one click or notch". I took it back and left thinking all they had to do was take it off and move it over one notch. A few hours later, the service guy calls and says the steering wheel does not have several notches and basically goes on perfect straight or way off. He told me to p/u the car because there was nothing they could do.
My question is, does anyone know if this is true? Can the steering wheel be replaced and be slightly off or can it only go on perfect or way off? My car is still at the dealer.
Thanks for the help
.
My question is, does anyone know if this is true? Can the steering wheel be replaced and be slightly off or can it only go on perfect or way off? My car is still at the dealer.
Thanks for the help
.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 792
Likes: 19
From: ME
I've never removed the steering wheel from a C5 yet, but my inclination tells me that the wheel would be about 10-15 degrees off center if they did install it wrong. Are you sure they replaced the drivers airbag? If so, I don't believe you have to remove the steering wheel to replace it. Maybe you've just got the "ever since you" disorder.......Mechanics are well acquainted with that customer charactaristic.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,161
Likes: 12
From: San Diego CA
The tech told me they removed the steering wheel. I've driven my car over 25,000mi and the wheel was dead on before. I find it odd that it would be off now that the steering wheel was removed and replaced.
If anyone has knowledge on this matter I would appreciate the help.
If anyone has knowledge on this matter I would appreciate the help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,028
From: eastern NC
Originally Posted by servohead
I've never removed the steering wheel from a C5 yet, but my inclination tells me that the wheel would be about 10-15 degrees off center if they did install it wrong....
Another option is that someone at the dealership bumped a tire on a curb (or something else) hard enough to change the alignment. Does it track the same as before? It would take quite a bump to do this, so I would look closely at the tires for any evidence of this. Even if they didn't mar the rim, a shot strong enough to change the steering wheel would leave a mark on a front tire.
Good luck... GUSTO
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Check the inner tie rod ends
I had the same problem with my wheel. It was off slightly but still noticeable. By replacing the inner tie rod end on the driver side along with the mandatory reallingment my steering wheel aligned perfectly. This was done by a suspension specialist at Ford. Thus avoiding having to remove the wheel by the General etc...
