Steering wheel not centered.

Paul Ferradas · 02-06-2007, 08:50 AM

So I notice when driving straight ahead my steering wheel is turned slightly to the right. And I mean VERY slightly but enough to bug a perfectionist like myself.

I recently had a front end alignment.

Will I screw up the alignment if I make equal turns to the tie rods to striaghten the wheel out? I already tried another notch on the steering wheel but that causes too much tuen in the other direction. Hehe, it's a small amount but I'd like it to be perfectly straight.

Wil Ferch · 02-06-2007, 08:58 AM

Answer.... no .. won't screw it up.

Best to get the wheel back on the original splines. Then ... make equal adjustments to center the wheel...

or ... go back to the alignment shop and tell them you don't like receiving the car back in worse shape ( wheel uncentered) than when it was brought in.

- Wil

Paul Ferradas · 02-06-2007, 09:06 AM

hehe, thanks Wil. The only problem with that is, I wasn't sure if the wheel was already like this and I just noticed it. When you start paying attention to detail the imperfections start to jump out at ya.

Could be that I screwed it up too. I took my wheel off for upholstery work and just noticed this when i put my wheel back on. I did draw a where wheel meets shaft so that it would go in just the wayit came out. but even it you take the wheel off and put it back on, it shouldn't screw with anything if it went back the same way it came off.

cbeers · 02-06-2007, 09:16 AM

Mine has been that way for months now and I keep meaning to fix it.......someday.

It does bug me, just not enough to overcome my laziness.

-Chris

Paul Ferradas · 02-06-2007, 09:22 AM

Thanks Chris, atleast I'm not the only one.

MattAlpha · MattAlpha's Garage

Mine is the same way.

I'll fix it after I do my suspension work and have a professional align it. Hopefully the alignment will fix it though.

JBO · 02-06-2007, 11:11 AM

Mine is like that too! I don't drive it on the highway much and I'm turning a lot anyway on the side streets so I haven't bothered with it! It does bug me though.

Richard Burns · Richard Burns's Garage

This should be adjusted as a matter of course whenever you get a wheel alignment. Go back to them and tell them to get it right. If you as a perfectionist did not notice it before then it wasn't there.

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

i did this job on my '74 myself..easy diy project. if you can't get it centered by changing splines (and i think you need a 27 mm socket for the steering wheel), then it can be done by adjusting the 'toe' at the tie rods. you will loosen each tie rod (two locking bolts per side) and then rotate the tie rods in the appropriate direction to center your wheel. rotating the tie rod causes the tire to turn to the inside..or to the outside. center your steering wheel and you'll see how much and in what direction to go. be sure to make an equivalent number of rotations on each tie rod. it's a satisfying project and you can do it yourself for free..
ryan

stlrj · 02-06-2007, 03:27 PM

Just use the flat spots on the locknut as a point of reference when you turn your tie rods.

Steve 82SC · 02-06-2007, 03:42 PM

Paul,

I can see you're digging into this, but are the tire pressures exactly where they should be? My car is pretty sensitive to pound or two off creating a slight pull one way or another. Uneven pressures in rear tires can also cause the car to be slightly off. I know it's basic....just thowing it out there.

Steve

Zeke · 02-06-2007, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Steve 82SC
Paul,

I can see you're digging into this, but are the tire pressures exactly where they should be? My car is pretty sensitive to pound or two off creating a slight pull one way or another. Uneven pressures in rear tires can also cause the car to be slightly off. I know it's basic....just thowing it out there.

Steve

So can corner balance. But, that shouldn't have changed either. Check the pressures as he says before going back so you're not embarrassed by the shop, IF they caught that.

I got a car back with the wheel off center. Annoying, isn't it? How can these shops even think they are competent? I do a lot of shrugging of the shoulders anymore. As well as a lot of pissing and moaning.

Paul Ferradas · 02-06-2007, 07:23 PM

Good idea guys. I'll check the tire pressures. If I remember correctly, 5 PSI over the recommended Porsche pressure regardless of type of tires? Or should I go with the tires recommended pressure? I'm using Hankook tires all around.

cbeers · 02-06-2007, 07:55 PM

Well, I think in this case it doesn't really matter. The idea is that one side would be off enough to cause the steering wheel to be off. The corner balance idea seems interesting and could easily apply to my car. I really should get that done......

Sorry, carry on

-Chris

Paul Ferradas · 02-06-2007, 07:59 PM

Corner balance seems like a good idea but I have a hard time paying $350 when I don't plan on tracking my car. I rather use that for a valve adjustment.