Why is my steering wheel not quite straight?
Discussion
I bought a 5 year old car (Mercedes SL) recently, and I've noticed that the steering is very slightly off. If I go around a gentle (motorway type radius) bend to the right then the wheel is upright, in a straight line it's a couple of degrees off.
I had the alinement checked and adjusted. It was off, but even with it sorted, the wheel is still slightly out.
Any thoughts what it could be?
I had the alinement checked and adjusted. It was off, but even with it sorted, the wheel is still slightly out.
Any thoughts what it could be?
Assuming it's now driving straight after the alignment, you might still need to get the steering wheel re-centred as someone may have tried to mask/fix the alignment issues by previously adjusting the steering wheel only (like my dad did as he couldn't be bothered fixing the track rods end, I digress).
Should be able to do it yourself, but be careful removing the airbag on the wheel, then undo the nut, recentre the steering wheel and tighten back up.
If it's still not driving straight then either the alignment is still out, or you might have issues with bushings or track rod ends.
Should be able to do it yourself, but be careful removing the airbag on the wheel, then undo the nut, recentre the steering wheel and tighten back up.
If it's still not driving straight then either the alignment is still out, or you might have issues with bushings or track rod ends.
parabolica said:
Assuming it's now driving straight after the alignment, you might still need to get the steering wheel re-centred as someone may have tried to mask/fix the alignment issues by previously adjusting the steering wheel only (like my dad did as he couldn't be bothered fixing the track rods end, I digress).
Should be able to do it yourself, but be careful removing the airbag on the wheel, then undo the nut, recentre the steering wheel and tighten back up.
If it's still not driving straight then either the alignment is still out, or you might have issues with bushings or track rod ends.
This won't work and is a bad idea in general I'm afraid, it is quite important on modern cars that the steering wheel is correctly clocked to the rack for wear reasons and also to make any variable or active steering systems operate correctly. A number of the car's systems may read the steering angle from the column which will be permanently offset if you change the position of the wheel on the column. Finally, in order for this to work in the OP's case he'd need to have an 180-spline steering column (to allow an adjustment of two degrees) which he definitely doesn't. Should be able to do it yourself, but be careful removing the airbag on the wheel, then undo the nut, recentre the steering wheel and tighten back up.
If it's still not driving straight then either the alignment is still out, or you might have issues with bushings or track rod ends.
Is it alignment or is the wheel not on straight!
If it drive straight and true albeit with the steering wheel slightly askew then I'd say someones had the wheel off and not refitted it straight. Having removed a few steering wheels on some of my cars it's really easy to do. The good news is it's usually very easy to adjust - just make sure to disconnect batter before removing the airbag!
If it drive straight and true albeit with the steering wheel slightly askew then I'd say someones had the wheel off and not refitted it straight. Having removed a few steering wheels on some of my cars it's really easy to do. The good news is it's usually very easy to adjust - just make sure to disconnect batter before removing the airbag!
HustleRussell said:
parabolica said:
Assuming it's now driving straight after the alignment, you might still need to get the steering wheel re-centred as someone may have tried to mask/fix the alignment issues by previously adjusting the steering wheel only (like my dad did as he couldn't be bothered fixing the track rods end, I digress).
Should be able to do it yourself, but be careful removing the airbag on the wheel, then undo the nut, recentre the steering wheel and tighten back up.
If it's still not driving straight then either the alignment is still out, or you might have issues with bushings or track rod ends.
This won't work and is a bad idea in general I'm afraid, it is quite important on modern cars that the steering wheel is correctly clocked to the rack for wear reasons and also to make any variable or active steering systems operate correctly. A number of the car's systems may read the steering angle from the column which will be permanently offset if you change the position of the wheel on the column. Finally, in order for this to work in the OP's case he'd need to have an 180-spline steering column (to allow an adjustment of two degrees) which he definitely doesn't. Should be able to do it yourself, but be careful removing the airbag on the wheel, then undo the nut, recentre the steering wheel and tighten back up.
If it's still not driving straight then either the alignment is still out, or you might have issues with bushings or track rod ends.
QuattroDave said:
HustleRussell said:
parabolica said:
Assuming it's now driving straight after the alignment, you might still need to get the steering wheel re-centred as someone may have tried to mask/fix the alignment issues by previously adjusting the steering wheel only (like my dad did as he couldn't be bothered fixing the track rods end, I digress).
Should be able to do it yourself, but be careful removing the airbag on the wheel, then undo the nut, recentre the steering wheel and tighten back up.
If it's still not driving straight then either the alignment is still out, or you might have issues with bushings or track rod ends.
This won't work and is a bad idea in general I'm afraid, it is quite important on modern cars that the steering wheel is correctly clocked to the rack for wear reasons and also to make any variable or active steering systems operate correctly. A number of the car's systems may read the steering angle from the column which will be permanently offset if you change the position of the wheel on the column. Finally, in order for this to work in the OP's case he'd need to have an 180-spline steering column (to allow an adjustment of two degrees) which he definitely doesn't. Should be able to do it yourself, but be careful removing the airbag on the wheel, then undo the nut, recentre the steering wheel and tighten back up.
If it's still not driving straight then either the alignment is still out, or you might have issues with bushings or track rod ends.
I'm not sure I've ever seen anything with as many as 180 splines!
The alignment was done by Mercedes Benz, which I appreciate isn't a guarantee of perfection, but you'd hope they'd make a decent fist of it.
I'm pretty certain the steering wheel has never been off. It's a low mileage one owner car and I have spoken with the previous owner who certainly doesn't seem the sort to tamper with it (in fact I'm struggling to think of a reason anyone would remove a steering wheel and refit it even if he was).
Don't think it's the road camber, it's not something I've noticed in any other car.
I'm pretty certain the steering wheel has never been off. It's a low mileage one owner car and I have spoken with the previous owner who certainly doesn't seem the sort to tamper with it (in fact I'm struggling to think of a reason anyone would remove a steering wheel and refit it even if he was).
Don't think it's the road camber, it's not something I've noticed in any other car.
The geometry just needs doing again. They will probably try to fob you off with such a small misalignment, 'road camber' etc, but basically if they weren't in a rush there is no reason why the wheel couldn't be locked in the straight ahead position and the adjustment made at the track roads. This is the correct way to adjust it. Taking the steering wheel off was a lazy bodge decades ago, and it really ought to have died out by now for the reasons I already mentioned.
ETA: It is easy to fix the wheel not quite straight if the technician fits the steering wheel lock without looking at it square on. Was just in a hurry. Most likely they were given about 0.15 hours to do it!
ETA: It is easy to fix the wheel not quite straight if the technician fits the steering wheel lock without looking at it square on. Was just in a hurry. Most likely they were given about 0.15 hours to do it!
To my mind this isn't about "alignment". It's simply an off-centre steering wheel position.
If you get under the car, loosen the lock nuts and put an equal number of turns onto one side and off the other side you'll straighten the steering wheel without upsetting anything, then re-tighten the lock nuts.
If you get under the car, loosen the lock nuts and put an equal number of turns onto one side and off the other side you'll straighten the steering wheel without upsetting anything, then re-tighten the lock nuts.
HustleRussell said:
it is quite important on modern cars that the steering wheel is correctly clocked to the rack .... to make any variable or active steering systems operate correctly.
This can be correct but depends on age/model of car. There may be a steering position sensor. However, it's just as likely the system is "out" now and will become "correct" if you straighten things up!I'd expect a light on the dash (EML or other) if anything significant is awry.
HustleRussell said:
QuattroDave said:
HustleRussell said:
parabolica said:
Assuming it's now driving straight after the alignment, you might still need to get the steering wheel re-centred as someone may have tried to mask/fix the alignment issues by previously adjusting the steering wheel only (like my dad did as he couldn't be bothered fixing the track rods end, I digress).
Should be able to do it yourself, but be careful removing the airbag on the wheel, then undo the nut, recentre the steering wheel and tighten back up.
If it's still not driving straight then either the alignment is still out, or you might have issues with bushings or track rod ends.
This won't work and is a bad idea in general I'm afraid, it is quite important on modern cars that the steering wheel is correctly clocked to the rack for wear reasons and also to make any variable or active steering systems operate correctly. A number of the car's systems may read the steering angle from the column which will be permanently offset if you change the position of the wheel on the column. Finally, in order for this to work in the OP's case he'd need to have an 180-spline steering column (to allow an adjustment of two degrees) which he definitely doesn't. Should be able to do it yourself, but be careful removing the airbag on the wheel, then undo the nut, recentre the steering wheel and tighten back up.
If it's still not driving straight then either the alignment is still out, or you might have issues with bushings or track rod ends.
I'm not sure I've ever seen anything with as many as 180 splines!
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