Steering Wheel Off Center.

Green Hornet

Got 2 new tyres on my car a week ago and also got the alignment done. The steering wheel was a bit off center beforehand and I assumed an alignment would fix it. It didn't. Brought it back and told them about the wheel and they put it on the alignment system again. Steering wheel still off center. Brought it back again and they changed the tyres around. Still off center!

I asked them the next time to set the wheel a little to the left but they wouldn't do it for me. In fairness to them I saw them set the wheel dead center during the alignment so I suppose I can understand that they didn't want to purposely mis set the wheel as they saw it.

When I'm in a car park etc. the wheel is perfect. The problem only occurs on the road. I'm assuming the camber requires me to steer a little to the right thereby shifting the wheel.

Is there anything I can do to get it centered? Drives me crazy!

tin79

who did you bring it to? it want advance pit stop or similar was it?

Mr.Diagnostic

In my opinion, based on experience, the number of people who “professionally” track cars that are actually capable of doing the job could be a few as approx 2%. Its not unusual for a car to drive worse after tracking than it did before.
Bring it somewhere else!

Green Hornet

tin79 wrote: »

who did you bring it to? it want advance pit stop or similar was it?

Wasn't an Advance (had issues with them before too). It was a reputable tyre supplier in Waterford (not sure if I can name them?). Maybe I'd be better to go to the dealer for the alignment?

Green Hornet

Mr.Diagnostic wrote: »

In my opinion, based on experience, the number of people who “professionally” track cars that are actually capable of doing the job could be a few as approx 2%. Its not unusual for a car to drive worse after tracking than it did before.
Bring it somewhere else!

Funny you should say that. My local mechanic hates the newer crowds doing the alignment with lasers. He says that they never do it right because the factory specs are not tailored to the Irish roads.

Stevie Dakota

Green Hornet wrote: »

Funny you should say that. My local mechanic hates the newer crowds doing the alignment with lasers. He says that they never do it right because the factory specs are not tailored to the Irish roads.

I thought alignment was alignment no matter what the road surface. It is however important for the car to be weighted properly before being aligned. I would suggest Dave McCann in Dublin, not to handy for you in Waterford though.

Berty

Did you know that newer cars are set naturally from the factory to pull slightly to the left so if you fall asleep your car will not veer right?

Stevie Dakota

Berty wrote: »

Did you know that newer cars are set naturally from the factory to pull slightly to the left so if you fall asleep your car will not veer right?

Nonsense!

Green Hornet

Berty wrote: »

Did you know that newer cars are set naturally from the factory to pull slightly to the left so if you fall asleep your car will not veer right?

I've heard that before but I dont think I believe it. I'd say it's a salesman line.

For one thing the tyres would wear due to the car being out of alignment. All cars will drift slightly due to the camber on the road naturally.

Mr.Diagnostic

Green Hornet wrote: »

I've heard that before but I dont think I believe it.

I think you are correct to doubt that.

Green Hornet

Mr.Diagnostic wrote: »

I think you are correct to doubt that.

Actually, you're right. I dont believe it at all.

mickey mac

Berty wrote: »

Did you know that newer cars are set naturally from the factory to pull slightly to the left so if you fall asleep your car will not veer right?

Have you heard this one "the daddy long legs is the world's most poisonous animal":D

crosstownk

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

I thought alignment was alignment no matter what the road surface.

Correct. It depends on the weight balance and drive of the car. FWD is usually toed out and RWD is usually toed in.

Berty wrote: »

Did you know that newer cars are set naturally from the factory to pull slightly to the left so if you fall asleep your car will not veer right?

I assume you say this in jest. Pulling to any given side means one wheel is 'scrubbing' the surface which will result in excessive tyre wear.

@OP - what make/model?

Whosbetter?

It should be dead simple to have the steering wheel on centre!

I've watched them track my car. Before they track it they centre the steering wheel.

They put an adjustable prop under it to hold in position.
Then they track the car.
After that they take out the 'prop'.
Hey Presto!

Berty

I never said it naturally pulls permanently to the left. The car will pull mildly to the left when the wheel is released.

Mr.Diagnostic

Berty wrote: »

Did you know that newer cars are set naturally from the factory to pull slightly to the left so if you fall asleep your car will not veer right?

Berty wrote: »

I never said it naturally pulls permanently to the left. The car will pull mildly to the left when the wheel is released.

…

Berty

Context. Factory setting to pull to the left.

I was disagreeing with people assuming I meant it pulls to the left when you are holding the wheel in a straight line which would only prove to wear the tyres down and frankly annoy the crap out of you.

mickdw

If they actually centre the wheel before they start and if it is fine when driving slow in carparks etc, it could be that you have alot of play/wear in various suspension/steering components that means you have to steer right alittle too much to counteract the effect of the road camber.
There is certainly no point in trying to track a car with very worn suspension.
Try driving centred on the crown of the road to see if you then have the steering pointing straight ahead

gman2k

I had alignment (4 wheel on laser jig) carried out on my prev car by well known Waterford tyre depot, result was rubbish and did not straighten the steering.
After that, I brought it to an Advance in Dublin city centre and they did a perfect job!

Green Hornet

gman2k wrote: »

I had alignment (4 wheel on laser jig) carried out on my prev car by well known Waterford tyre depot, result was rubbish and did not straighten the steering.

Hmmm. Methinks we could be talking about the same place..............looks like the cause of the issue may be the tyre depot itself after all.

Green Hornet

crosstownk wrote: »

@OP - what make/model?

New model Honda Civic saloon 1.8L.

EPM

Very irritating OP. i got my car tracked in a well known chain in clonmel and it was never right afterwards, despite bringing it back. It ate the rear tyres in 22k km which was nice and handy... If you can bring it to john banks tyres in cork, they did mine when they put on the 4 new tyres the other day. Its a completely different car afterwards. I know a bit of a spin but the lads there really know their stuff

Voodoomelon

Mine is pulling slighly to the left for the last few weeks, but I reckon i'll hold off until the summer before getting the tracking done, as new tyres will be on the cards.

Henry Ford III

Berty wrote: »

I never said it naturally pulls permanently to the left. The car will pull mildly to the left when the wheel is released.

That'd be the road's camber I reckon.

sundodger5

Have tracked many cars that have trouble with the steering being off.
Experiance tells me that it may do no harm if the car is tracked with the engine running.
Sometimes the skidplates the wheels sit on when being tracked can not cope with the weight. so even though the steering wheel is locked in place the drag from the wheels when doing the adjustment is enough to pull the steering wheel.
engine running, power steering pump running and hey presto.
Worth a shot.

L-M

Henry Ford III wrote: »

That'd be the road's camber I reckon.

+1 me thinks

congo_90

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

I thought alignment was alignment no matter what the road surface. It is however important for the car to be weighted properly before being aligned. I would suggest Dave McCann in Dublin, not to handy for you in Waterford though.

What does weight have to do with it?

Berty wrote: »

Did you know that newer cars are set naturally from the factory to pull slightly to the left so if you fall asleep your car will not veer right?

All roads in ireland are designed on a crest so water drains to the side of the road not in the middle hence cars naturally veery left.

Stevie Dakota

congo_90 wrote: »

What does weight have to do with it?
.

The factory settings take into account a car with a few passengers, the weights simulate this so the wheels are aligned when the car is loaded.