Had two new wishbones fitted by a one band garage man.  Ever since the steering wheel has been out of line and with my OCD it bugs the hell out of me.  I have had all new tyres since, the wheel alignment done, the wishbone bushes upgraded to poly, new drop links and still the steering is out.  If i hold the steering wheel straight the car wanders to the right slowly.  I read if the subframe isn`t put back on exactly as it was taken off it can pull things out of line slightly?(yet garages keep telling me the wheel alignment is spot on)..

 

I figured I could remove the steering wheel and put it back on straight?  I remember doing this a while back on my first car, a suzuki swift, which involved removing battery negative so that the airbag didn`t go off in my face.  Is it the same sort of procedure for the Skoda?  Or is there a certain way to do things to remove the steering airbag without setting it off?

 

Cheers,

 

Samuel

 

 

Edited 24 July, 20178 yr by sammyhale30

Was it straight before? If so, then when the tracking was adjusted they may have only altered one side instead of adjusting both sides at the same time, this will throw your steering wheel out. What they should do is lock the wheel in the normal straight ahead position, then check the alignment. If it is out, then it should be adjusted an equal amount each side until it meets the correct spec for the car. If they only adjust one side, then that causes the wheel to go off centre. From the sound of it, it hasn't been set properly anyway if it is pulling to one side. Take it back and get them to reset it.

The subframe doesn't need to be removed when changing the lower arms, removing the steering wheel and re aligning it won't cure the problem if the tracking is off

3 hours ago, octyal said:

What they should do is lock the wheel in the normal straight ahead position, then check the alignment. If it is out, then it should be adjusted an equal amount each side until it meets the correct spec for the car. If they only adjust one side, then that causes the wheel to go off centre.

 

Finding a garage that can track a car properly can be a right pain. Octyal is spot on though with his advice. You should never remove the steering wheel too get it straight, in extreme cases it can over stress the ribbon cable i the column and cause lots of pretty lights on your dashboard.

Thanks for the replies guys.  It makes sense now.  I think next time i take it for an alignment i will specify that I want the steering wheel to be straight before they start!