Hi everyone,

 

My Octavia 2018 FL has a slightly off-center steering wheel. It's been this way since I received the car, and I have it booked in next week to get it sorted at the dealership. 

 

However, on Friday, I am putting lowering springs in the car. I'll get the wheels aligned after, so there is a possibility this might fix the off-center steering wheel, although I don't think it's an alignment issue, so probably not (car drives straight when not holding the wheel, returns to almost center after turning a corner, etc.).

 

So onto my question -  With the lowering springs, is it likely the dealership will try to avoid the warranty and blame it on the modification. If so, I could just loosen and recenter the steering wheel after the wheel alignment and save myself a headache of arguing with them for something so small.

 

Any opinions are gratefully heard

 

Cheers!

@edition82 - OK, I don't know German consumer law. There are only 2 ways I can see a steering wheel "getting squint":-

 

1. It was put on squint at some point.
2. Some "mist" (yes I know what that means) did a tracking alignment by screwing all the adjustment on or off one side.

Yeah, my assumption is that it was mounted badly in the first place. So it should be pretty easy to straighten myself anyway. If it's still off center after an alignment, is it safe to say that it was just mounted incorrectly, then?

@edition82  If you proceed on investigating my suggestion (2) above, there will be significantly more turns of thread visible on one track rod outer end than the other if (2) is correct. Otherwise (1) is correct, and the biggest issue with correcting it is the airbag.

Solid. Thanks for the tips

I would get the dealer to investigate and fix *before* making any mods.  There could be an issue with several parts or components and modifying the car will likely give the dealer a solid excuse to wipe their hands of helping you (under warranty).

 

FWIW. I've had two new Superbs in the last two years, both came from the factory with their alignment well out (steering wheel not straight).  It took the dealers not long at all the identify and rectify.

 

Also, if the steering wheel was put on wonky, wouldn't there be errors or faults reported by steering angle sensors or similar??? 

Edited 18 June, 20188 yr by penguin17

Yes, I'm thinking this is also the best way forward too...

@penguin17 - The steering wheel is impaled on the end of a splined rod. You could literally fit it upside down and nothing electrical would notice.

16 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

@penguin17 - The steering wheel is impaled on the end of a splined rod. You could literally fit it upside down and nothing electrical would notice.

Thanks, I wasn't sure.