steering wheel not centered
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 102
Likes: 20
From: Hilton NY
steering wheel not centered
Steering wheel not centered. Just noticed steering wheel off a couple degrees. Hit a pot hole last week but didn't think it was that hard. Unfortunately just had tires and alignment done a couple weeks ago. Any ideas welcomed!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,485
Likes: 713
From: Sausalito CA
I believe a Tech II has a setting to make sure the wheel is centered by reading sensor locations.
Typically a toe adjustment is used to center the wheel, which you could possible DIY.
But, alignment shop maybe best.
Good luck.
Typically a toe adjustment is used to center the wheel, which you could possible DIY.
But, alignment shop maybe best.
Good luck.
thing knower
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,404
Likes: 942
From: wpb
yeah, sounds like the put it on the rack with the wheel cocked to the side just a touch... then proceeded to "fix the toe" with the wheel off center....
they need to put it back on the rack with the wheel square and redo the toe on the front....
they need to put it back on the rack with the wheel square and redo the toe on the front....
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
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From: Saint Albans, WV
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Race Director
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Steering wheel position sensor reading Zero voltage will have the wheel set dead straight, and then end links are adjusted to get the tires straight with the wheel during the alignment.
The downside, most aftermarket alignment shops do not have the tools to read the steering wheel sensor during the alignment (ending up with the steering wheel not straight), so best to just take your Tech II so they can use it during the alignment isntead. Its either this, or they have to do a few test drives to make sure that the steering wheel is straight when going down a flat straight road.
The downside, most aftermarket alignment shops do not have the tools to read the steering wheel sensor during the alignment (ending up with the steering wheel not straight), so best to just take your Tech II so they can use it during the alignment isntead. Its either this, or they have to do a few test drives to make sure that the steering wheel is straight when going down a flat straight road.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,114
Likes: 598
eg off center as if turning right:
add toe in to the left wheel and add toe out to the right wheel. Adjust the tie rods the same amount 1/4 turn and adjust until the wheel centers.
to add toe in requires to shoten the tie rod arm, and lengthen to add toe out.
opposite it the wheel is off as if turning left
add toe in to the right wheel and toe out to the left wheel.
Last edited by cagotzmann; Jul 27, 2021 at 08:50 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,437
Likes: 918
From: CONCORD NC
Toe the front wheels “into” the error, or the rear wheels “away” from the error if the thrust angle is off.
if you hit a pot hole, you may have bent a steering link or toe rod. I’ve also seen potholes move a concentric, which throws everything off but the immediate clue is the steering wheel.
if you hit a pot hole, you may have bent a steering link or toe rod. I’ve also seen potholes move a concentric, which throws everything off but the immediate clue is the steering wheel.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 102
Likes: 20
From: Hilton NY
Called the dealership to see if they would correct it (only a couple weeks old) when new tires were installed. No warranty would not do anything unless pay again for new alignment. Advisor said they always check steering center at end of work. Took it out on cooler day and it didn't seem as bad. Very hot the day I noticed it. Steering tracks road levels really close. Tires heating up and cooling making difference? PSI changes 3 lbs when hot and driven awhile. Nuts or possible?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
Called the dealership to see if they would correct it (only a couple weeks old) when new tires were installed. No warranty would not do anything unless pay again for new alignment. Advisor said they always check steering center at end of work. Took it out on cooler day and it didn't seem as bad. Very hot the day I noticed it. Steering tracks road levels really close. Tires heating up and cooling making difference? PSI changes 3 lbs when hot and driven awhile. Nuts or possible?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 240
From: San diego Ca
pay $200 and get lifetime alignments for as long as you own the car
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Atlanta - - - - - Save the manuals
Old school fix here. If we ASSUME that the steering wheel is at zero sensor position when centered it is possible that the last alignment person adjusted the toe in on just one tire and matched it to the other.
FWIW I had the same problem on my 05. I centered the wheel and turned the tie rod adjustments EXACTLY the same amount in opposite directions (don't change the toe in just change the length of the tie rods shorter and longer) and now the wheel is centered. I might take a couple of test drives to zero in on the exact amount.
FWIW I had the same problem on my 05. I centered the wheel and turned the tie rod adjustments EXACTLY the same amount in opposite directions (don't change the toe in just change the length of the tie rods shorter and longer) and now the wheel is centered. I might take a couple of test drives to zero in on the exact amount.
Last edited by Dutch08; Aug 3, 2021 at 10:56 AM.
Cruising
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Can you say what signal would read "0" when wheel sensor is centered?
Are you referring to signal A or B in the Tech2 data display?
Or are you measuring voltage on the backside of the SWPS plug?
Thanks,
BT
Last edited by BillyTee; Aug 10, 2021 at 11:48 PM.