Steering wheel alignment.

jackatesme · 11th January 2018, 14:59

When driving straight ahead, wheel pointing to 1 o,clock. Would bad tracking do this much,or do i need to re-align wheel.

David Lawrence · 11th January 2018, 15:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackatesme

When driving straight ahead, wheel pointing to 1 o,clock. Would bad tracking do this much,or do i need to re-align wheel.

A better indicator will be to check the tyre wear on all 4 wheels. If there is evidence of uneven wear on any of them then tracking is needed and the steering wheel alignment will get sorted at the same time.

T-Cut · 11th January 2018, 22:04

Another possibility. The steering wheel can be 'out' if it wasn't locked in the straight ahead position before the tracking was last adjusted. The tracking can be correct but the steering wheel can be wrong if that isn't done. A good tracking depot can sort it for you.

TC

Avulon · 12th January 2018, 01:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Cut

Another possibility. The steering wheel can be 'out' if it wasn't locked in the straight ahead position before the tracking was last adjusted. The tracking can be correct but the steering wheel can be wrong if that isn't done. A good tracking depot can sort it for you.

TC

if the rack isn't centered during tracking then the tracking will only be correct when driving straight ahead. The wheels alignment to each other changes as the car steers (to allow for the different radius each wheel must follow in a turn).

On our cars, like many - the steering stem has a punch mark to align the steering wheel. Provided that hasn't been messed up (or the steering stem to rack alignment!) then centering the wheel before adjusting the front tracking will result in correct tracking across the full steering range.

What I'm saying is, if the steering wheel is off straight when driving straight ahead - but the tracking is 'correct'* ... it's not: it could be more 'correct'.

n.b. only talking about front wheel tracking here. If the rear's are wrong, especially the thrust angle then it'll crab up the road sideways whatever you do with the front. With the steering wheel turned counter to the crab it'll go in a straight line. Plus with the wheel at 1 o'clock it'll steer in quicker to the left than the right.

I've exaggerated the effect a little - if the steering wheel is only slightly off the majority won't notice an effect on the turn-in itself. The more it's off center the greater the effect though. I'd think that 1 o'clock is too much.

rustymotor · 12th January 2018, 05:02

Hi, wondering if the track rod end is worn on that side, if the problem has just come to light so to speak..might be worth jacking it up and having a look..have read on the forum of track rods collapsing.

handyjackdaniels · 12th January 2018, 07:19

I have the same issue with mine, when I put the steering wheel back on I put the wheels straight and lined up the two notches to the wheel and column, then tightened it up.

Thought that lining the notches up would have been okay, but not so!

Steve.

SD1too · 12th January 2018, 07:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avulon

On our cars, like many - the steering stem has a punch mark to align the steering wheel.

I didn't know this. Can you give me a bit more detail please Avulon?
By 'stem' do you mean the end of the steering column on which the steering wheel is fixed?
Where exactly is this punch mark?
Is there a similar mark on the steering wheel with which to align the punch mark?

Looking forward to your reply.

Simon

marinabrian · 12th January 2018, 07:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD1too

I didn't know this. Can you give me a bit more detail please Avulon?
By 'stem' do you mean the end of the steering column on which the steering wheel is fixed?
Where exactly is this punch mark?
Is there a similar mark on the steering wheel with which to align the punch mark?

Looking forward to your reply.

Simon

It's not a pinpunch Simon, it's an index line on the wheel, which aligns with a corresponding line on the splined top of the column shaft.

If you look closely, you will see the absence of a spline internally within the wheel boss too

Brian

SCP440 · 12th January 2018, 07:56

I would suggest you take your car and get the tracking checked in case a winter pot hole has knocked something out. If it is 100% correct most places wont charge but if it is out at least you wont waist a set of front tyres and they should get the wheel straight again.

Avoid Halfords and Quickfit as they will often find it is out even if not if you see what I mean, I suggest a local independent if you have one locally?

rustymotor · 12th January 2018, 18:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCP440

I would suggest you take your car and get the tracking checked in case a winter pot hole has knocked something out. If it is 100% correct most places wont charge but if it is out at least you wont waist a set of front tyres and they should get the wheel straight again.

Avoid Halfords and Quickfit as they will often find it is out even if not if you see what I mean, I suggest a local independent if you have one locally?

Hi, just in passing, wife had a renault laguna and at the time was doing 300/500 miles per week with her job, I took the car for front tyres and had some good tyres fitted, at the same time had the car tracked, in weeks both front tyres had run of on one side..checking the steering there was a fault, the garage said : with the fault it would have been impossible to track the front wheels..rip off or what?

11th January 2018, 14:59	#1
jackatesme This is my second home rover 75 saloon.Renault Captur 1.5 diesel. Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: rhymney Posts: 3,661 Thanks: 2,269 Thanked 1,242 Times in 702 Posts	Steering wheel alignment. When driving straight ahead, wheel pointing to 1 o,clock. Would bad tracking do this much,or do i need to re-align wheel. __________________ - John B signing out Maralyn was born 9th Sept 2004 14.44.48. 103,597 of 112,381 (75s) 3,021 of 4,744 Connie SE 239 of 1.685 Platinum Gold. "Maralyn": Platinum Blonde,Troublesome,Unpredictable.

12th January 2018, 07:19	#6
handyjackdaniels Posted a thing or two Rover 75 2.5 v6 in firefrost red Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Letchworth Posts: 1,402 Thanks: 383 Thanked 121 Times in 106 Posts	I have the same issue with mine, when I put the steering wheel back on I put the wheels straight and lined up the two notches to the wheel and column, then tightened it up. Thought that lining the notches up would have been okay, but not so! Steve. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

11th January 2018, 22:04	#3
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,753 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	Another possibility. The steering wheel can be 'out' if it wasn't locked in the straight ahead position before the tracking was last adjusted. The tracking can be correct but the steering wheel can be wrong if that isn't done. A good tracking depot can sort it for you. TC

12th January 2018, 05:02	#5
rustymotor Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: May 2017 Location: Hull Posts: 1,848 Thanks: 216 Thanked 432 Times in 340 Posts	Hi, wondering if the track rod end is worn on that side, if the problem has just come to light so to speak..might be worth jacking it up and having a look..have read on the forum of track rods collapsing.

12th January 2018, 07:56	#9
SCP440 I really should get out more....... MG ZT-T 260 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Witney Posts: 2,504 Thanks: 6 Thanked 910 Times in 571 Posts	I would suggest you take your car and get the tracking checked in case a winter pot hole has knocked something out. If it is 100% correct most places wont charge but if it is out at least you wont waist a set of front tyres and they should get the wheel straight again. Avoid Halfords and Quickfit as they will often find it is out even if not if you see what I mean, I suggest a local independent if you have one locally?