Steering Wheel Question

[CalgaryG]

Hi all,

To make my car go straight, the steering wheel has to be angled a bit to the left. Is this something that can be fixed by getting the wheels re-aligned? Or is this an issue that has to do with the way the steering column is actually connected to the wheels?

I'd really like to get this corrected, and am hoping it is an easy fix.... could I get it done at the tire shop when I get my winters off? Or would I need to take this to a proper mechanic/dealership?

Thanks!

[G_whizz]

If all your tires are at the correct PSI... it sounds like an alignment problem. Depending on your rim size... most shops should be able to perform an alignment.

[rn79870]

Are you saying the car needs a little pressure on the wheel to make it go straight, or that the steering wheel is at a slight angle when you are driving straight?

If it is the former, then I went through a similar problem with my Maxima. My wife had hit a curb hard enough to blow out a front tire. Once the tire was replaced the car pulled a little to the left and required input to the right to drive straight down the road. The car had 5500 miles on it at the time, so I wouldn't expect that it needed an alignment, but the "incident" had me thinking otherwise. I had the 4 wheel alignment done and found out that the caster (Forward angle of the front wheel) had been so slightly shifted back on the impacted tire. Caster is not an adjustable setting so we were stuck with the problem. (which led to getting the G) The rear was also out of alignment but that is another deal. The shop told me that new car alignments are not set as accurately as a good shop sets them.

Start with G_Whizz's suggestions and if it is still bad, see an alignment shop for a 4 wheel anlgnment (I think I paid about 95 dollars for it.)

[SVTCOBRA]

Hi all,

To make my car go straight, the steering wheel has to be angled a bit to the left. Is this something that can be fixed by getting the wheels re-aligned? Or is this an issue that has to do with the way the steering column is actually connected to the wheels?

I'd really like to get this corrected, and am hoping it is an easy fix.... could I get it done at the tire shop when I get my winters off? Or would I need to take this to a proper mechanic/dealership?

Thanks!

If it is pulling, check tire pressure. If pressure OK, then you most likely need an alignment.

If it is not pulling, but the steering wheel isn't straight when you are going straight....you need an alignment. Somebody may have not had the steering wheel straight when they did the last alignment.

I had this happen to me when I put a new set of tires on my 88 bronco II years ago. Got in the car and noticed when I was headed straight, the steering wheel was crooked. It wasn't pulling. So, had to take it back to the idiots to have them re-do the alignment..

[CalgaryG]

It is not pulling to either side, so I probably do the need the alignment...I think they were supposed to do that when I got my winter tires on.... I suppose I'll just wait until I put summers back on in a month or so.

[ArizonaG35]

I'd say that if the alignment is correct and the and it's not pulling to one side or another, just disconnect your airbag unit on the steering wheel then dismount the steering wheel from the hub assembly with a torque wrench. Pull the steering wheel off the hub assembly and rotate one or two clicks on the sprocket in the opposite direction of the way that it was tilting... reconnect the steering wheel and the airbag assembly and PRESTO! Your steering wheel is now in the straight position!

I make it sound simple, but I recently disconnected my steering wheel and it wasn't that hard... do a little homework before you go taking your steering wheel off though... might I recommend a shop manual... I've heard they're worth their weight in gold for do it yourselfers...

Good luck!

Dave

[telcoman]

.. might I recommend a shop manual... I've heard they're worth their weight in gold for do it yourselfers...

Good luck!

Dave

Yes they are! I purchased the printed one for my G and I occasionally print out instructions on various items posted on this site and insert them in the appropriate sections. The shop manual is four thick volumes and well over 1000 pages. I've gotten my money's worth out of it. I've read many posts and find it a bit odd with so many doing so much work on their G's that they don't spring for the shop manual? If you can afford a $35-$40,000 vehicle, whats a few hundred more for the shop manual?Actually the regular 87 octane that I've used in over 50k miles and doing my own oil changes paid for the manual.

Telcoman

[SVTCOBRA]

87 octane in a G!?!?!

[SVTCOBRA]

It is not pulling to either side, so I probably do the need the alignment...I think they were supposed to do that when I got my winter tires on.... I suppose I'll just wait until I put summers back on in a month or so.

I would wait and point it out to them......actually, I might find someone else to do the alignment.