Alignment / Steering wheel angle

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Feb 14, 2002 | 01:27 PM

SDVette

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From: Poway CA

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Alignment / Steering wheel angle

I had my 98 aligned by the dealer last week. The car feels better now and drives straight as an arrow.

But now the steering wheel is slightly (5 degrees?) off-center when the wheels are straight. Did the tech just get lazy? How difficult is it to reposition the steering wheel so that it's straight now? Any special tools required?

Thanks,

Feb 14, 2002 | 02:02 PM

Kenny94945

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From: Sausalito CA

Re: Alignment / Steering wheel angle (SDVette)

Hi SD,

I am with you on this, it seems to me with every car I have owned after an alignement the steering wheel never gets centered correctly and I have to return to the alignment people.

The tech probably wasn't lazy. Some of the computer alignment machines ask you to start by centering the steering wheel.

Anyway....to center one must do/ re-do the toe alignment.

Never have I been able to hold the alignment spec doing this in the driveway. Loosen the tie rod locking bolt and turn the tie rod adjustor equal amounts to center. Then tighten.

I would very much like to read how our other co-members deal with this.

So, I guess the special tool is a toe adjustor measurement tool. I have seen these before (even in JC Whitney catolog) but have never been satisfied that the tool will measure to .5 degrees or be at all accurate.

Kenny

Feb 14, 2002 | 02:09 PM

Tom/99

Team Owner

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From: Houston,Texas USA

Re: Alignment / Steering wheel angle (SDVette)

I had my 99 Coupe aligned at Corvettes of Houston. When I drove it home, the steering wheel was dead on center. There was a world of difference in the feel of the car, before and after the alignment.

Feb 14, 2002 | 06:06 PM

wottogo

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From: Bellingham WA

Re: Alignment / Steering wheel angle (SDVette)

Had the dealer use his new eqquipment to do a 4 point alignment on mine and the steering wheel is centered. It should be do-able. :yesnod:

Feb 14, 2002 | 08:47 PM

gpflepsen

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From: Southeast Nebraska

Cruise-In II Veteran

Re: Alignment / Steering wheel angle (wottogo)

The specs for steering wheel angle is 0 degrees with no variance. I'd get it centered.

Feb 15, 2002 | 01:20 AM

01C5fan

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From: Downingtown PA

Re: Alignment / Steering wheel angle (SDVette)

Take it back to the dealer. They'll fix it.

Feb 16, 2002 | 04:00 AM

dbrogan

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From: Charlottesville VA

Re: Alignment / Steering wheel angle (SDVette)

I had the tire shop perform a 4-wheel alignment when I replaced my tires. The steering wheel was off center, as you describe. I took it to the dealership where they aligned it and kept the wheel centered. If at first you don't succeed...

Feb 19, 2002 | 02:07 PM

SDVette

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Re: Alignment / Steering wheel angle (SDVette)

Just a followup to close this thread out...

I took it back and they fixed it in 20 minutes. They did not have to lift the car or remove the wheels..

Chalk one up to Mr. Goodwrench..

Thanks all for the opinions/advise.