recentering steering wheel
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Richardson TX
recentering steering wheel
Unfortunately I had to have some work done that necessitated the engine/front wheel assembly to come out of the car. When it was put back in, the steering wheel is now turned about 1/10 of a turn to the left while driving straight. I was told the car needs to be aligned so I got this done and asked the alignment place to make sure that the steering wheel was centered during the alignment. Of course, this did not get done so now I am wondering who to complain to and what it will take to get the wheel recentered. It doesn't sound like a lot but it drives me crazy and it seems like the car wants to drift left even though the tire alignment is good.
Is this something that an alignment should be able to fix or does the steering rod need to be "moved over a notch"? If the latter, can this be done easily without needing to take a bunch of things off the car? Can it be done by simply taking off the steering wheel and turning it right a notch?
Thanks in advance
Jason
'01 Z06
Is this something that an alignment should be able to fix or does the steering rod need to be "moved over a notch"? If the latter, can this be done easily without needing to take a bunch of things off the car? Can it be done by simply taking off the steering wheel and turning it right a notch?
Thanks in advance
Jason
'01 Z06
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Ashburn Virginia
yes an alignment can help to re-center your steering wheel or maybe just adjustment on the steering shaft input. either way your alignment tech should be able to remedy your problem. good luck. Little things like that bother me like crazy. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Once the alignment is done correctly it is not unusual for the wheel to be off center a bit. The tech should then take the car for a drive and make minor adjustments to center the wheel. This can be done by adjusting the rack on both sides a small equal amount at a time. Extend the left a half turn and shorten the right a half turn (or vice-versa) until the wheel is centered.
However... you said the car wants to drift left... even on a crowned road it should naturally want to drift right, but not left. This tells me the alignment is not correct. Get the alignment correct (no drift on a flat surface) and then center the wheel.
Good luck... GUSTO
However... you said the car wants to drift left... even on a crowned road it should naturally want to drift right, but not left. This tells me the alignment is not correct. Get the alignment correct (no drift on a flat surface) and then center the wheel.
Good luck... GUSTO
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 831
Likes: 2
From: Silver Spring, MD
I've have the same dang problem. Had it aligned 3x now and the steering wheel is still off a fraction. the last two times, I specifically stated that the alignment is good...but the the steering is off center (maybe a 1/4"). 
I guess I keep looking for a decent shop!
I guess I keep looking for a decent shop!
