Steering wheel at angle while driving.

[trybar]

Hi,

 

Had to change my rear coil springs - one broke and I failed MOT. I have no recolection of it from before procedure, but now noticed my steering wheel has to be kept on angle when driving. Not a great deal, but it's annoing..

Went for wheel alignment and been told it's "within limits, less that 10%" whatever that may mean. Suspect it was too cold for him to bother.  What's your take on this 10% comment, as I have no idea what he was talking about..?

[jafo]

Why fixing rear would have any impact on front ?? 

[simannjo]

If the rear wheels are out of alignment due to spring change, it would have a rear wheel steering effect.

The fronts would have to be turned so the car appears to be going straight, but in effect is slightly 'crab like' and in effect going sideways.

 

When you went for wheel alignment, did he check the rear or front?

 

The front might be OK but the issue is the rear trying to turn the car...

 

The 10% thing is in relation to the tolerance of the measurement.

Wheel alignment has a minimum and a maximum.

 

It also has several 'angles' that have to be considered that may effect things. - Toe, Camber and Castor.

Again, one could be OK but another change the steering effect.

 

The only way to be sure is full 4 wheel alignment at and alignment centre not a dealer, tyre place or local garage - No matter what they say.

Edited 20 December, 2017 by simannjo
Add 4 wheel info

[Danny 57]

Second the 4 wheel alignment.

I had the 4 wheel alignment done just before my new tyres were fitted as soon as they were fitted it was out (the steering wheel like yours) and had to be re-aligned. I thought why but if you think about it the wear, diameter etc. is so different on new tyres compared to the old tyres.

[silver1011]

As above, a proper (Hunter) four wheel alignment is required.

[DEL80Y]

On 12/19/2017 at 21:52, trybar said:

Hi,

 

Had to change my rear coil springs -

Did they definitely change both springs as i have seen some places just changing 1 spring  at a time which will really upset the handling 
Have you seen the parts list for rear springs from skoda .There is about ten different spring colours that could be for your vehicle.
Yet you go to independent supplier and they supply "one fit for all" kind of thing

[bigjohn]

Seconded re checking both springs changed and with the correct ones. The ride height affects camber etc (that's why rear tyres can wear on the inside when carrying very heavy loads)

[trybar]

Sorry, was offline for few days.

 

Not a car mechanic but that much i know, bought two of them . I've entered my reg into EuroCarParts and there was only one option. Both springs replaced with rubber caps moved to new springs on both sides - watched entire procedure. I cannot tell if angle wasn't there from beginning, but if it was, it was smaller than it is now - definately nothing i would noticed as I do now.

On 20.12.2017 at 08:28, simannjo said:

When you went for wheel alignment, did he check the rear or front?

The front might be OK but the issue is the rear trying to turn the car...

The 10% thing is in relation to the tolerance of the measurement.

Wheel alignment has a minimum and a maximum.

It also has several 'angles' that have to be considered that may effect things. - Toe, Camber and Castor.

Again, one could be OK but another change the steering effect.

The only way to be sure is full 4 wheel alignment at and alignment centre not a dealer, tyre place or local garage - No matter what they say.

 

They put brackets on all 4 wheels and parked steering wheel with blocking bit as well.

Re back turning - that's my feeling re this issue - it's missalligned and back tyres are not directly behing front ones - now..

10% - ok, that was part I didn't knew how to interpret.

Machine is 'a laser one' and on diagram it had all thjose angles explained.

It was a tyre place, you know any serious allignment workshop in North London area.? I do prefer that to be done professionally, dont mind paying for result and I do want my car to be in as perfect shape as possible.

 

As per bigjohn comment: 95% of drive is with only me in car, London streets and ocasionally M1 to Luton

Edited 22 December, 2017 by trybar

[simannjo]

20 hours ago, trybar said:

They put brackets on all 4 wheels and parked steering wheel with blocking bit as well.

 

The 'regular' 4 wheel alignment units have measuring brackets on front wheels and 'target' brackets on the back. Even though brackets on all 4 wheels, this is only measuring the front wheel alignment.

To measure the rear wheel alignment, the brackets would be swapped around.

The tyre centres call this 4 wheel alignment - It is not!

 

A specialist wheel alignment centre would have a system that 'measures' all angles on all 4 wheels at the same time and any adjustment that effects the other angles on other wheels can be seen.

Its the only proper way.

 

Time consuming and therefore costly, but everyone i know that has had it done gets a car back that drives straight, with a straight steering wheel.

Sometimes having had an unknown bent/worn suspension arm replaced!

 

20 hours ago, trybar said:

Machine is 'a laser one' and on diagram it had all thjose angles explained.

Again, most regular units are now laser and measure all the angles - but the way its used would determine whether its front or rears that are being measured.

 

I think you're onto the right issue with alignment and probably the rears.

 

 

[trybar]

Time wise it took like 5 mins to set up and test, hence my scepticism about it..

Light projecting brackets went only on front wheels with reflective bands on rears. Will look for a workshop after Christmas period. Tires will be replaced after this winter regardless due to wear.

 

Thanks everybody for help.

[DEL80Y]

This is just standard Laser alignment you need a proper 4 wheel alignment system such as Hunter Hawkeye .

I am sad to say that even though I despise them "Kwik-Fit" have Hunter Hawkeye  in their branches (well they do In Scotland)

This system gives the angles of the rear wheels including camber which is all adjustable 

Look here at alignmycar and put in your reg 

The best person to go to is Wheels In Motion  in Chesham HP5 1SD   who have proved invaluable in the Mercedes forums for Mercs with the "pull to left syndrome" He gave me the correct specs for my C Class which is completely different from standard..

Edited 23 December, 2017 by DEL80Y