steering wheel alignment

[edpryce]

I have to hold my steering wheel at a noticable angle to keep the car moving in a straight line.

I realise cars generally pull to the left if you let go of the wheel, but if i have my steering wheel looking straight, it turns very obviously to the side of the road.

Until today i thought it was because the tracking was out, but have just had it all tracked and balanced and the steering wheel still isnt straight.

Can i just un do the bolt in the centre of the steering wheel, and turn the steering wheel to straight (without moving the wheels, and assuming they are straight of course.)

or is it not as simple as this?

thanks

[Brayster]

I think that would work ... Put the steering lock on before undoing the bolt though

[Owen]

Yes.

Its so easy to do, just one big nut to undo, slide the steering wheel off the splines and place back on a couple of splines in the required direction.

[edpryce]

cheers chaps

[Neo Badness]

I have to hold my steering wheel at a noticable angle to keep the car moving in a straight line.

I realise cars generally pull to the left if you let go of the wheel, but if i have my steering wheel looking straight, it turns very obviously to the side of the road.

Until today i thought it was because the tracking was out, but have just had it all tracked and balanced and the steering wheel still isnt straight.

Can i just un do the bolt in the centre of the steering wheel, and turn the steering wheel to straight (without moving the wheels, and assuming they are straight of course.)

or is it not as simple as this?

thanks

Have you checked the camber?

It maybe that someone didn't put wheel on staright previously but I would investigate fully before simply unbolting the steering wheel.
Could have a bent wishbone or dodgy suspension, yada yada
Are your tyres scrubbing anywhere?

[edpryce]

It maybe that someone didn't put wheel on staright previously but I would investigate fully before simply unbolting the steering wheel.
Could have a bent wishbone or dodgy suspension, yada yada
Are your tyres scrubbing anywhere?
[/quote]

camber was set up today mate.

When i first bought my car the wheel was straight. Then somehwere between adding new suspension, wheels and topmounts it has changed.

I havent whacked anything (curb sized) hard since owning it but have nailed a few pot holes which might have put it out.

Saying all that, if there was something bent (which i cant imagine how it would happen) as long as its been tracked, cambered and balanced, would it matter once the wheel was straighter and easier to drive with?

its just passed an MOT so there cant be anything too threatening down there lol.

ed

[Ben Lessani]

Saying all that, if there was something bent (which i cant imagine how it would happen) as long as its been tracked, cambered and balanced, would it matter once the wheel was straighter and easier to drive with?

Depends on how they tracked it, if it was relative to the other wheels, then it would highlight something bizarre. But if they just set it up to book values, then you would never know.

[Neo Badness]

I dunno, I'm having bother with mine as well. Somewhere between new coilovers, topmounts and getting it tracked I've got it pulling to the right. Didn't do it before
Seems camber is greater on passenger side than on drivers causing it but as to why that's happened I have no scoobies.
 That and it's misfiring or down on power somehow. Peeing me right off just, I have man flu and I have to drive a 230mile round trip on Monday, so no pressure then....