Just noticed today, when driving in a straight line, the wheel isn't straight :eek:

Haven't noticed any handling problems, nor fuel consumption changes, nor tyre wear, so I don't think it's the tracking that's altered.

I haven't had any knocks or kerbs recently so I'm perplexed as to why it's not straight anymore. The only event I can think of is when IP undid the driveshafts when they changed the clutch over, but I don't think they played around with the steering struts at all.

Any ideas? :confused: :(

Just whip the steering wheel off and stick it back on straight.

Although I'm curious as to how a clutch change could affect that too. :confused:

Mine is off centre too.... dont know why since I dont think its been tampered with...

OK, J, but why would it have moved in the first place?

And is it easy to take off? What about the airbag???

Best disconnect the battery first. Turn the wheel to 90 degrees each way and there's 2 holes back there - small flat screwdriver in each one to prise the airbag clips out - this takes some practise - took me half an hour the first time. 5 minutes the second time, and now is pretty OK - K does it in about 10 seconds.

Once out, the bolt for the wheel itself is exposed, simply undo and re-align the wheel and re-do up bolt

I would ask I.P if they had to remove the steering wheel for any reason. Just sounds odd - If they have knocked something underneath the car, you want to be remedying that, not just realigning the steering wheel.

Bit of a how to remove the steering wheel here Xav -

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dgace/control_stalk.htm

You'll need the M12 Spline, I have one if you can't get hold of one.

If it was my car, I'd be more intereested in finding out why it had happened than just adjusting the steering wheel.

If it was my car, I'd be more intereested in finding out why it had happened than just adjusting the steering wheel.

I agree. I have had this occur a number of times following tracking adjustment and also front suspension repairs. Hitting the kerb or a major pothole can also throw the suspension alignment out, and the steering wheel off centre in the process.

its not down to tyre pressure dropping because of the cold weather is it? Have you check your pressures are even at the front? Also I wouldnt bother taking the wheel off. If its not the pressures take it in and get the tracking checked.

Take it to your local tracking place and get them to check it over to make sure it's still set up correctly. They should lock the steering wheel in it's central position and then make the necessary adjustments

Chris

I wouldn't be surprised if the track rod was disconnected during your recent clutch upgrade mate.

I wouldn't be surprised if the track rod was disconnected during your recent clutch upgrade mate.

Our local friendly Southampton dealer assured me that the tracking didn't need checking after they replaced my track rod as they'd tightened it to the same number of turns and the mechanic was so good he could line it up accurately by eye! Suffice to say, the tracking was well out

Chris

I have the same problem, except I clipped a cerb, took a chunk out of the tyre and it pulls left a bit too much now aswell, new tyres on the front this weeks and off to get the tracking done, I'm sure that'll sort it... I think.

I have the same problem - only off by maybe 5 degrees, but annoying. In my experience, tracking stations don't like to do centering, because they can't tell if the steering wheel is off line or the tracking off centre. Their gear just measures the relative tracking between the two front wheels, as I understand it.

In the good old days, the advice was to get under the car and adjust the track-rod ends by the same amount on each side (one in, one out) until it came right. Is this out of order these days? I've never had power steering before. Is turning the wheel from lock to lock a reasonable measure of whether it's centred on the shaft?

Xav; you need my Hunter laser aligner, guaranteed steering wheel position and you get a printout before and after.....Only