Had my console bushes replaced just over a week ago at a cost of just over £140 by a Skoda dealer. They've fitted the newer type of bush which is cool.

However, when driving on the motorway the steering wheel is now off centre while driving in a straight line.

The guy at the dealer reckons that replacing the console shouldn't involve anything that would throw the steering wheel off-centre. This sound plausible? Should they have checked alignment as part of the job?

My only guess is that either:

i) the car had previously had an alignment job with the old, worn console bushes and now the wishbones are back in the right place it's thrown the alignment out? (I haven't had an alignment done in the last 20,000 miles of ownership though!)

ii) they have disturbed something that's affected the alignment, e.g. removed the actual consoles?

Just wanted to prepare myself with any info from you chaps as I don't want to be fobbed off, and I'm even less keen on being charged for something they should have done first time round if that turns out to be the case.

Cheers.

Edited 29 June, 201016 yr by andrewd

I'm not a mechanic.. but it's my understanding that you need an alignment after a console bush change,

Especially to a different design!

Apart from the wheel position how does it drive / track?

I'm not a mechanic.. but it's my understanding that you need an alignment after a console bush change,

Especially to a different design!

Apart from the wheel position how does it drive / track?

That was my understanding too, even if just a basic front-tracking check?

Car "seems" okay to drive and I didn't notice any issues on the 230 mile motorway commute to work last week, although I swear the steering is "weightier"?

If you change worn front end bushes (other than ARB where it's not used as the track control link) you need to check the front tracking. Similarly with an outer rod end (but not replacing a gaiter if you work carefully).

...although I swear the steering is "weightier"?

Just had mine done mate, Can't agree with the above more.

I noticed a little bit of new vibration in the steering driving home and will be

sorting alignment and balancing checks asap.

Mine seems heavier to steer since I got it back and it doesn't skit about like it

used to when braking firmly. Much straighter under braking.

Just the dmf and clutch to replace now :(

Then alignment etc when the car is back on the road proper...

cant see how it could be possible for changing console bushes to make the steering heavier..console bushes only hold the wishbone in situ and play no part in the wheels turning...got to be pyschological...

Steering will feel heavier if the allignment is out, it should alway be checked after bush replacement.

Steering will feel heavier if the allignment is out, it should alway be checked after bush replacement.

grr666 makes no mention of it not driving straight...just seemed heavier..

I had my bushes replaced today (seat one and powerflex).

I can confirm my steering wheel is now not straight.

I only had tracking done 3 weeks ago so im off again tomorrow to throw another £40 down the drain.

Oh i hate cars bah.

cant see how it could be possible for changing console bushes to make the steering heavier..console bushes only hold the wishbone in situ and play no part in the wheels turning...got to be pyschological...

Perhaps heavier isn't quite the right word...

More positive?? Firmer?? More connected and direct,

It's just that the play from the previously (badly) worn bushes has been taken

out of the equation now and it all feels better bolted together if you catch my drift.

Steering will feel heavier if the allignment is out, it should alway be checked after bush replacement.

Yeah, that was my worry! Although it may just be me adapting back to the vRS steering after a weekend in a courtesy Fabia II ...

So is the consensus that a post-console-bush-replacement alignment check should always be carried out by a dealership as part of the job?

Perhaps heavier isn't quite the right word...

More positive?? Firmer?? More connected and direct,

It's just that the play from the previously (badly) worn bushes has been taken

out of the equation now and it all feels better bolted together if you catch my drift.

arghh rite gotcha...mine has all been fully pollybushed and amazing the feel now as theres no give at all...very precise...