New tyres fitted and steering wheel 5 degrees out

[richvwr]

Just had new tyres fitted to my Elise 111R and now the steering wheel is sitting 5 degrees to the Right, Tracking just done, its had a full suspension refresh so no worn parts, Tyre pressures been checked and double checked, any one got a clue why ? Ill just point out the whee was perfect before the tyres were fitted,

[Jimmyarm]

I take it the tracking was done prior to the tyres being fitted ?

If so, I'd get it done again. Obviously the only thing that has changed is the tyres so there was probably some odd wear on them that isn't present on the new tyres and is causing the steering to sit out when going straight.

ETA when I say 'tracking' I mean someone who knows what they are doing using a Hunter or similar machine so that the front wheels are aligned with the backs and then the toe in/out is adjusted, I've seen far too many 'tracking' adjustments where no account is taken of the rear and front wheel relationships (or the steeriing wheel and front wheels in some cases!)

Edited by Jimmyarm on Thursday 21st April 09:10

[richvwr]

Cheers will get it booked in for a full Geo

[melhookv12]

Should always do tracking/suspension set up after tyres are replaced. Tyres wear funny and can cause different readings.

[LarJammer]

You could try just swapping them side to side, you may be surprised.

[richvwr]

I thought of swapping side to side but AD07,s are directional

[Piersman2]

richvwr said:

I thought of swapping side to side but AD07,s are directional

Swap, then see if the steering is straight whilst reversing.

[Peanut Gallery]

On a flat road does the car pull to the side, trying to straighten the steering wheel up, ending up in you driving a long slow corner?

(I agree, swap the tyres, a couple of miles in "reverse" is not going to harm them.)

[Fastpedeller]

Jimmyarm said:

I take it the tracking was done prior to the tyres being fitted ?

If so, I'd get it done again. Obviously the only thing that has changed is the tyres so there was probably some odd wear on them that isn't present on the new tyres and is causing the steering to sit out when going straight.

ETA when I say 'tracking' I mean someone who knows what they are doing using a Hunter or similar machine so that the front wheels are aligned with the backs and then the toe in/out is adjusted, I've seen far too many 'tracking' adjustments where no account is taken of the rear and front wheel relationships (or the steeriing wheel and front wheels in some cases!)

Edited by Jimmyarm on Thursday 21st April 09:10

Certainly it needs someone who knows what they are doing. If they don't, then they can check it to find all the alignment, toe in ok in the straight ahead position (ie wheels straight ahead), if the steering RACK isn't in it's central position the steering wheel won't be central. ie where the track rod ends are, one side has more thread showing than the other!

[PositronicRay]

5 degrees is only a gnats cock. With cambers on road surfaces and things I'm surprised you notice.

Edited by PositronicRay on Thursday 21st April 16:42

[Jimmyarm]

Fastpedeller said:

Certainly it needs someone who knows what they are doing. If they don't, then they can check it to find all the alignment, toe in ok in the straight ahead position (ie wheels straight ahead), if the steering RACK isn't in it's central position the steering wheel won't be central. ie where the track rod ends are, one side has more thread showing than the other!

I probably shouldn't admit this publicly but my 'boss' doesn't realise that some racks need to be centralised before they are fitted, combine this with columns that don't have a locating spline and it provides some hilarious tracking adjustments (we don't do them).

Fortunately we QA each others stuff, I've had one rack end wound all the way on and one barely on two threads before !

[james_gt3rs]

Did you get the rears aligned? On my VX220 when the rear toe was out, it made the steering not point straight.