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Alignment issue

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  • 27-03-2013 9:09pm
    #1
    cletus
    Registered Users Posts: 7,884 ✭✭✭


    Hi, driving a 99 Fiesta. Failed the NCT on front axle alignment recently.

    Had the tracking done (front wheels only) today. While driving home i noticed that the steering wheel is not centred while driving straight. It is about 6-8 degrees to the right

    Rang the guy who did it, he reckoned with the car being old its probably just play in the steering rack

    Does that sound right or even plausable?


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    #2
    Alanstrainor
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 23,157 Mod ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    He didn't check the wheel was straight before finishing. If there's play in the rack, the symptoms would be different, rather than it just not being straight I would have though. I'm not expert though.

    Moved to motors as it's not DIY.


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    #3
    Big Davey
    Registered Users Posts: 778 ✭✭✭Big Davey


    I think your mechanic should loosen off your steering wheel and re align it, I know that would freak me out not being straight. The steering rack should not cause that in my opinion.


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    #4
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Track rod ends need replacing maybe?


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    #5
    cletus
    Registered Users Posts: 7,884 ✭✭✭cletus


    Big Davey wrote: »
    I think your mechanic should loosen off your steering wheel and re align it, I know that would freak me out not being straight. The steering rack should not cause that in my opinion.


    As far as I understand, just changing the position of the steering wheel is not a remedy here, and has more to do with how the tracking was completed


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    #6
    jca
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,585 ✭✭✭jca


    Get a better mechanic.... The steering wheel should be centered and held in this position with a special tool during adjustment.


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    #7
    slimjimmc
    Registered Users Posts: 7,787 ✭✭✭slimjimmc


    Big Davey wrote: »
    I think your mechanic should loosen off your steering wheel and re align it, I know that would freak me out not being straight. The steering rack should not cause that in my opinion.

    I believe the correct procedure is centre the steering rack properly by making sure the track rods are adjusted to the same length at both ends of the rack. There should be no reason to reposition the steering wheel unless it had been removed on previous occasion.


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    #8
    biko
    Registered Users Posts: 81,223 ✭✭✭✭biko


    Realigning the steering wheel is the lazy way out.


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    #9
    jca
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,585 ✭✭✭jca


    biko wrote: »
    Realigning the steering wheel is the lazy way out.

    And wrong:(


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    #10
    Big Davey
    Registered Users Posts: 778 ✭✭✭Big Davey


    That's me told


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    #11
    sundodger5
    Registered Users Posts: 1,144 ✭✭✭sundodger5


    slimjimmc is correct, the steering wheel should be locked in position and then equal adjustments made to both track rods until the correct angle is acheived.
    If adjustment is only done on one side the correct angle will be got but the steering wheel will be off centre.
    Back you go.:)


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    #12
    Green Hornet
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,305 ✭✭✭Green Hornet


    No matter who aligns my Accord, the wheel always ends up a little to the right.....drives me nuts....same with my last one.

    I've looked at the wheel when they lock it and its dead centre but on the road it's always slightly right. Could it be that the alignment is carried out in a completely flat surface but on the road the camber means that the wheel needs to be put slightly right to offset the bias from the camber??


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    #13
    Nissan doctor
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    If the wheel is still off center then the guy doesn't know what he's at IMO.


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    #14
    cletus
    Registered Users Posts: 7,884 ✭✭✭cletus


    First, thanks for all the replies, and secondly a a belated update. My retest came up before I could go back to the guy.

    Result? Failed again on the tracking, so rang the guy and got my money back. Next step, get the tracking done properly and (finally) pass the nct


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