Just got a Yellow 02. Two minor flaws.

Steering wheel is slightly off center to the right. How do you fix this?

Scratch on the inside of windshield on drivers side. Can this be polished out.

Thanks

 

I have a '99 and I noticed a scratch on the driver's side window about six months ago. The scratch was nearly vertical and upon inspection I realized that the scratch remained in the same place relative to the door frame. If I put a chalk mark on the door that was closest to where the scratch was when the window was up, the scratch would continue to line up with the chalk mark as I lowered the window. I told my service manager that something inside the door must have scratched the window and he had it replaced (not repaired).

I just had a new set of tires put on the front of my car. I also had the car aligned. Now my steering wheel is off a little bit to the left. It used to be dead center. I'm having the dealership second-check the alignment. Don't know if this will fix it, though.

[Edited] I was just reading elsewhere in the forum of someone whose steering wheel was off center. Someone else noted that the mechanics must remove the steering wheel to perform the column lock repair. The problem can be easily fixed by removing the steering wheel and aligning it before reinstalling. I just had my column lock repaired two weeks ago (just before the alignment) so I'm guessing this could be the problem.

-Dave


[Modified by dbrogan, 12:34 AM 9/27/2001]

 

With the whel being off center the car simply needs to be realigned. When I got new tires put on I had this happen. After I lowered my car I had a 4-wheel alignment done an the angle of the steering wheel is part of the adjustment. They should set it back to perfectly straight no problem.

 

You have four tie rod ends on your car that control toe in toe out (one for each wheel location) the camber and caster can also effect the centering of the steering wheel. Anytime you mess with the suspension asymetrics you have to get the car aligned. Usually, to staighten the steering wheel you give equal twist on the front two tie rod ends, to you get to the point where the steering wheel is centered. This action is best done at a alignment shop. I have done it with much time and a tape measure. Take it back to the alignment shop and tell them to center the steering wheel. Then when you are driving the car see if it pulls to any certain side when driving straight. If it does your camber/caster might be out. :cool:


[Modified by Shinobi's97, 9:21 AM 9/27/2001]

 

Yes, straightening the wheel can be done with the tie rod adjusters, BUT if you just had the column lock recall, that could be the problem.

I'll venture a guess that if the wheel was not put on straight (after the recall) then setting the tie rod adjusters to fix it may straighten the wheel as you look at it, but the steering position sensor is going to report that the wheel is turned, when its actually not.

Clear as mud :yesnod:

Eric

 

Thanks all;

I just picked this 02 up last Thursday. Don't think they did a column lock change. The dealer did however transfer my 3.73's, intake, stainless brake lines and TPIS's from my traded 98 to the 02 this past Monday/Tuesday. Drove the car last Thurs/Fri/Sat & don't recall the steering wheel being off center (may have been). Noticed it last night. Definately didn't hit anything. Am going to have the car lowered and realigned at that time. Hopefully this will correct the problem.

 

I think I noticed what the problem is in your description of the parts you had transferred. When they transferred the 3:73's they had to pull the lower control arms, this probably changed the camber and effected your steering wheel. I noticed when I first lowered my car 2" in the rear it offset my steering wheel, get your ride height where you want it and then have aligned, that should do it. :cool:

As for the scratch in the window, I think they should put in a new one!


[Modified by Shinobi's97, 5:03 PM 9/27/2001]

 

Simple advice. When getting an alignment, (a) use the new type machine that hangs lasers on the wheels; gets the alignment dead nuts and gives you a before- and after- printout of each setting; and (b) tell the tech (not the service writer) that you want him to ensure the steering wheel is centered once aligned; and (c) tip the tech $20 in advance.

Ranger

 

Good advise, also I believe the steering wheel should be centered with a Tech-2. C-5 Tech? c4c5specialist? bueller? anybody know for sure?

Eric

 

Had my steering pulled twice and the C5 steering wheel is keyed so it can't go back off center! I agree with getting your alignment checked.
Hope this helps! :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:

 

To put the 3:73s in they had to pull the diff. This means they had to do a complete alignment when they put everything back together. The tech probably didn't notice the wheel was slightly off center when he set the steering wheel before adjusting the alignment (remember they are not in the car they are standing beside a car that is at about the same height as they are so its tough to see if it is exactly centered). If it isn't pulling I wouldn't bother getting it adjusted. The more you go back the more likely something really bad will happen. Don't fix it if it ain't broken. If its pulling then you should take it back.
Bill

 

Thanks for the clarification. Most GM cars in the past did not have a keyed wheel.

Eric