Home alignment question for steering wheel centering

NoLift911 · 06-19-2012, 07:01 AM

So after doing a pile of suspension mods and getting my camber in the front to about -3 my steering wheel is at the 3 o'clock position. When installing the tie rods they are pretty equal on both sides. I guess the camber positions are setting the wheel crooked.

So the question is should I reindex my steering wheel first to the correct centered position and then do the alignment(as in take the wheel off an and install at 12 o'clock)? Or should I center the wheel and lock it down and then make the adjustments on the tie rods to get it centered?

Thanks -

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Use the tie rods. You can't re-center the wheel as it's indexed to the shaft so that the turn signal cancel cam works. Or I'm guessing you have a momo or something where you can bolt it onto the hub and index it that way. But, either way I would use the tie rods to get the best position.

aston@ultrasw.c · aston@ultrasw.c's Garage

Here's what I did.

Turn the wheel all the way left then turn all the way to the right counting the number of turns.

Turn back half the total.

Remove the wheel and install at 12 o clock and secure in position.

Adjust suspension.

NoLift911 · 06-19-2012, 10:05 AM

Interesting...so I am 1 for 1...any tie-breakers want to chime in?

Targalid · 06-19-2012, 10:22 AM

It seems to me that both these guys are correct. Scott R is assuming that the steering wheel was properly positioned initially and that in order to keep the position correct you need to adjust the tie rod ends to keep it correct. Aston is not making any assumptions and counsels you to verify that the wheel is centered relative to the steering rack. When you are in the center of the steering rack the steering wheel should be centered also. Any deviation would be due to the tie rod ends or other suspension parts.

mnez · 06-19-2012, 10:22 AM

They are both basically saying the same thing. #2 assumes that the wheel has been removed and put on in the wrong place (and the steering rack hasn't been messed with). Adjust centering with the tie rods.

#1 assumes the wheel is in the right place. Adjust center with the tie rods.

Moving the steering wheel to a new position will mess up the turn signal self cancelling. I tried it, then had to count turns to put it back right, then adjust the tie rods to get it centered. They will not necessarily be the same length after.

boyt911sc · boyt911sc's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by aston@ultrasw.c

Here's what I did.

Turn the wheel all the way left then turn all the way to the right counting the number of turns.

Turn back half the total.

Remove the wheel and install at 12 o clock and secure in position.

Adjust suspension.

This is the easy way to get started centering the steering wheel. After the front wheel alignment is done, check again the steering wheel. It might moved a tiny bit left or right but could be corrected easily by adjusting the tie rod end accordingly.

Tony

NoLift911 · 06-19-2012, 10:32 AM

OK - thanks for the clarification, easy enough to do.

moneymanager · 06-19-2012, 12:05 PM

Both work but tie rods are easier, at least on my car.

Neel · 06-19-2012, 03:15 PM

Parker, you have a PM...

sparkle84 · 06-19-2012, 03:41 PM

Original post stated that the tie rods looked to be fairly equal which would indicate the steering wheel is wrong. Reattach wheel as close to centered as possible & go from there.

DW SD · 06-19-2012, 04:11 PM

Good advice, still, I would wait until you've set the alignment. Have you measured tow?

Doug

911nut · 911nut's Garage

Re-setting the steering wheel might make it perfect, but if it doesn't you'll have to play with the tie rods, which is a pain if your running +5 minutes toe or 0 toe.

donagain1 · donagain1's Garage

Is there any problem with waiting to get the car on the ground post-alignment, allowing it to roll a straight course, and resetting the steering wheel to the approriate spline once a straight path has actually been ascertained?

DW SD · 06-19-2012, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donagain1

Is there any problem with waiting to get the car on the ground post-alignment, allowing it to roll a straight course, and resetting the steering wheel to the approriate spline once a straight path has actually been ascertained?

Not really, but the approach usually doesn't yield perfect results. There are only so many splines (maybe 30) meaning each is good for 12 degrees. I couldn't get mine to line up perfectly, so I adjusted the tie rods from there. Remember to turn both tie-rods the same direction and same amount to preserve the alignment.

One will get shorter and one longer.

Cheers,

Doug

Neel · 06-19-2012, 08:23 PM

OK.. My $.02+ 50yrs experience.. Set camber/caster first..They affect toe, but toe settings do not affect camber/ caster.. Make sure your steering wheel is relatively centered as mentioned earlier.. Center the steering wheel and lock it into position.. Do not use the ignition lock.. There is a tool for that that most of you do not have,so be creative.. Set your toe using both tie rod adjustments.. Drive your car on a flat road to verify the steering wheel is centered.. If it is not, repeat the above process.. Take your time and you'll get it right.. Enjoy the results..