My new steering wheel is off center, how to fix?

SpeedracerIndy · 07-02-2009, 07:31 AM

I got a new 993RS steering wheel, which uses a standard MOMO hub. It is exactly 6 degrees off center now, measured with a protractor. One spline to the left and it is off center in the other directions. I did install the hub correctly with the spot marked top at the top.

After a search, it looks like the only option is to adjust at the tie rods. Does anyone know how many degrees one turn of the tie rods will accomplish at the steering wheel. I really only want to have to do this once since the tie rods are a PIA to adjust.

Very happy with my new wheel otherwise:

Talewinds · Talewinds's Garage

You already know the answer since you tried one spline to the left and got the same result on the other side of zero degrees. I had the same problem...
Tie rods

Talewinds · Talewinds's Garage

BTW, nice gauge lighting. Weren't you heavily involved in that EL Strip gauge lighting thread?

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

1/2 turn on each.

SpeedracerIndy · 07-02-2009, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talewinds

BTW, nice gauge lighting. Weren't you heavily involved in that EL Strip gauge lighting thread?

Yes! Thanks for the complement and noticing my little show off pic.

On the steering wheel, I'm hoping to figure out how many turns of the tie rods are needed to get my 6 degrees so I don't have to do it several times.

stlrj · 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedracerIndy

On the steering wheel, I'm hoping to figure out how many turns of the tie rods are needed to get my 6 degrees so I don't have to do it several times.

If it were my car, I would turn the left tie rod 90 degrees CW and the right one 90 degrees CCW. That should center your steering wheel, or at least, get you much closer to center.

Cheers,

Joe

SherpaDog · 07-02-2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedracerIndy

I got a new 993RS steering wheel, which uses a standard MOMO hub. It is exactly 6 degrees off center now, measured with a protractor. One spline to the left and it is off center in the other directions. I did install the hub correctly with the spot marked top at the top.

After a search, it looks like the only option is to adjust at the tie rods. Does anyone know how many degrees one turn of the tie rods will accomplish at the steering wheel. I really only want to have to do this once since the tie rods are a PIA to adjust.

Very happy with my new wheel otherwise:

Would love to know more about your guage lighting, thanks.

SpeedracerIndy · 07-02-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SherpaDog

Would love to know more about your guage lighting, thanks.

Here you go:

Another alternative to getting brighter gauges
El-Wire, Alternative to OEM and LED Lights for Gauges

SpeedracerIndy · 07-15-2009, 03:31 PM

Help!!!

I turned both tie rod ends one turn and the steering wheel was off to the left. I then tried to recenter by removing the steering wheel and remounting it one spline to the right, and it was clocked too far to the right. Then I turned both tie rods two turns to the right and recentered the steering wheel again. It is closer now, but still a few degrees clocked to the right. Is there any way to fine tune any more? Do I have a bad MOMO hub or what?

algs911 · 07-15-2009, 03:37 PM

I had the same problem and am now absolutely spot on. It took patience! I did small adjustments to the left and right tie rods, tightened them down, drove the car, then went back and did it some more until I got it spot on. It's worth the time. If you're careful you shouldn't need an alignment after.

Patience and time, that's all it takes. You have the tools and knowledge.

BTW, this is the BEST my wheel has ever been. It seems to me that alignment shops just get the steering wheel close and don't really care about being spot on. I do, so follow the process above and you'll enjoy many happy hours of motoring.

Good luck.

al

SpeedracerIndy · 07-15-2009, 04:07 PM

But what I don't understand is that I adjusted the tie rod ends by the smallest amount possible: 1 turn. And one turn was too much. How can I adjust any smaller amount? If I keep moving them more turns in the same direction my steering rack will end up off center.

ossiblue · 07-15-2009, 04:30 PM

One turn is not the smallest amount possible. This takes patience and time as algs911 said. Each small adjustment, less than a full turn in opposite directions, needs to be followed by a short drive on flat pavement to settle the adjustment--this is where the time and patience comes in. You should not have to move the steering wheel on the splines (in fact, some of my old manuals expressly say to never move the steering wheel.) Sounds like you're getting close. Stick with it and you'll get it spot on.

Mysterytrain · 07-15-2009, 04:31 PM

Had the same problem with my new 930s wheel. I made a mark on each tie rod by measuring from the floor the the side of the tie rod with a carpenter's square. This gave me a point of reference so I could return things back to the way they were. I adjusted each tie rod about 45 degrees, in my case each mark was rotated up from the reference position. It spot on now. Must say I really like your wheel. How is the speedo visablitiy?

SpeedracerIndy · 07-18-2009, 10:10 AM

Wow I feel really stupid here, but where exactly is the adjustment supposed to be made???

I have been unbolting the tie rod end from the wheel and turning the end one full revolution. I'm assuming there is another adjustment point that you guys are referring to that I should be using.

Mysterytrain: The speedo visibility for the 993RS wheel is similar to a momo wheel, which isn't great. I loose sight of the speedo at about 100mph. I don't travel there too often though, and if I am going that fast I'd rather be looking at the road so it doesn't bother me too much.

Kevin Stewart · 07-18-2009, 11:31 AM

if you dont know what your doing take it in as you are messing with the toe, Kevin

ewave · 07-18-2009, 11:34 AM

Leave the tie rod end attached to the wheel. Loosen the lock nut, then you can rotate the threaded part that goes to the steering rack. It is infinitely adjustable. Use vice grips or pliers to rotate the threaded shaft.

Kevin Stewart · 07-18-2009, 11:36 AM

can i ask you guys how he is going to set the toe? Kevin

ewave · 07-18-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Stewart

can i ask you guys how he is going to set the toe? Kevin

As long as you adjust each side by the *exact* same amount the toe will not be affected.

Kevin Stewart · 07-18-2009, 11:39 AM

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

Hey Speed, (Fellow El-Wire Guage Guy)

When I corrected my Camber after the passanger tower came loose. I ended up adjusting the toe evenly on both sides because the correction threw off the steering wheel.

The trick is about 1/4 turn increments until straight. Simply turn the wheel so you can easily access the toe rods and adjust in on one side and out on the other.

I took a large piece of card board and my two wrenchs and drove around the block a dozen times until I got her exactly the way I wanted.

Peops were looking at me Like I was crazy. Crazy like a fox ;-)

Verified with my HF Toe Check Tool, All GREEN