Alignment issue

cletus

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?

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.

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.

Track rod ends need replacing maybe?

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

jca

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

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.

biko

Realigning the steering wheel is the lazy way out.

jca

biko wrote: »

Realigning the steering wheel is the lazy way out.

And wrong:(

Big Davey

That's me told

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.:)

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??

Nissan doctor

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

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