installed new steering wheel but wheel does not stay straight

[crazy997]

I installed a momo steering wheel today on my 911 SC. I made sure the wheels were straight and the steering wheel was straight when I pulled it off. When I secured the new steering wheel and went for a test drive, the steering ended up being straight with the wheel rotated about 20 degrees counterclockwise.

So I went back home and parked, made sure the wheels were straight and repeated the process. Went for a test drive and the same thing happened again.

The only thing I can think of is that because I reverse into my parking spot at a fairly tight angle, even though the wheels are straight the steering rack is not, which causes the drift when I eventually start driving forward.

Tomorrow I will go for a drive on a straight street and pull over and then reinstall the wheel. Hopefully that does the trick.

[Bill Douglas]

LOL, it's annoying. You buy a new steering wheel and it doesn't look quite right. My SC always seemed to be off by a notch too. Do you like the new wheel?

And good luck.

[garment]

I have the same issue, but seems like my new Momo wheel is off center less than OP’s wheel. I really like the addition (Prototipo Heritage) and have managed to keep my OCD at bay b/c I am enjoying it so much. I’m seeing my wrench this week and will ask his opinion.

[wareaglescott]

Are both your tie rods adjusted with about the same amount of thread showing from side to side? It is possible the wheels are straight but not oriented properly to the proper spline on the steering column. Was the car is good alignment before you did this? IF you take the wheel off and rotate it a spline or two left or right as needed what happens?

[Flojo]

When it was straight before it must be straight afterwards as well.

You did something wrong.

realign the hub. check that screw pattern is correct.

[john walker's workshop]

Put the wheel on without the nut. Go drive it and stop in a straight line. Install the wheel straight.

[Flojo]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

Put the wheel on without the nut.

redneck style?

what a good advice...

[crazy997]

Thanks for all the replies.

I had turbo tie rods installed a couple months ago, and an alignment done then. No issues.

Of course I know I did something wrong! I am 100% certain of that, haha.

I will reiterate the issue:

1. The steering wheel is installed, the bolt pattern is dead center and the wheels are straight.

2. Then I go for a drive and the steering wheel ends up rotating about 20 degrees to the left when driving straight.

After repeating this process twice, my current assumption is that because of reversing into my garage at an angle, despite the steering wheel and wheels being straight, I have not driven forward enough for the steering to truly be "straight".

Anyway, last night I also tried to install my wevo shifter, unfortunately the instructions on this site incorrectly say to use a 24mm socket but it is a 22mm socket that is needed to remove the lock nut on the 915 shifter housing. I don't have one, so this steering wheel issue will be postponed a few days until I have more time.

[brshap]

I always have the best luck straightening my front wheels by driving in reverse for at least a couple car lengths with no hands on the steering wheel.

[Otter74]

If you've got a bit of play (or lash?) in the steering column assembly, I can see this happening. +/- ten degree and you can wind up with a wheel that's 20 degrees off. Try it again but make sure the wheel is straight but also centered within whatever play exists.

[darrin]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

Put the wheel on without the nut. Go drive it and stop in a straight line. Install the wheel straight.

I've done a variation of this, put on wheel WITH nut on but not completely torqued down, go for short drive to a flat, empty parking lot with wrench in passenger seat. Get feel for where car is tracking perfectly straight and stop, remove wheel nut and recenter wheel -- repeat until satisfied wheel is straight and then crank nut down

[john walker's workshop]

You could play smart or dumb. Pull the wheel off while driving, or wait until you're stopped. Your choice.

[356911930]

Darrin has the right idea.

This is the way I have done it and it works great!

Rahl

[golfbuddy]

Originally Posted by darrin

I've done a variation of this, put on wheel WITH nut on but not completely torqued down, go for short drive to a flat, empty parking lot with wrench in passenger seat. Get feel for where car is tracking perfectly straight and stop, remove wheel nut and recenter wheel -- repeat until satisfied wheel is straight and then crank nut down

Yes, this is how I installed a new steering wheel on my 82 SC. Drove me nuts trying to get it perfect. Always seemed to a notch off but finally got it right.

[Rob T.]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

Put the wheel on without the nut. Go drive it and stop in a straight line. Install the wheel straight.

Like this. I have done it several times on different cars.
Always worked fine...

[gtc]

20 degrees off seems high. There are 40 splines on the steering column, so you can adjust the wheel in 9 degree increments.
I think it's pretty common for the Momo hubs to be off by about 5 degrees, which people then correct during an alignment.
I've wondered if you could use the 6 bolt wheel pattern and 40 spline hub to find a dead straight position for the wheel. Like indexing a torsion bar.
Been a while since i had mine apart, so not sure if the orientation of the cancel ring might prevent this.

[911h20]

lol

[josephvman]

That worked for me and I got it spot-on. I had new tires and a fresh alignment, which I'm sure helped!

Originally Posted by darrin

I've done a variation of this, put on wheel WITH nut on but not completely torqued down, go for short drive to a flat, empty parking lot with wrench in passenger seat. Get feel for where car is tracking perfectly straight and stop, remove wheel nut and recenter wheel -- repeat until satisfied wheel is straight and then crank nut down

[911pcars]

Can R&R the steering wheel so it and the car point straight as suggested. However, check the number of turns from straight to left, then again to the right. If not equal, the tie rods are probably not adjusted equally. You can continue driving with the knowledge your L-R turn radius is different or take it to a shop to bring it back to spec.

Sherwood

[stlrj]

How can something so simple end up so complicated?