Steering wheel

www.xing.com/profile/Neil_Shorney · Post by **hornmeister2000** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:23 pm

Hello all!

I took Naomi to the garage yesterday to have her horn push fixed and in the process they had to remove the steering wheel. It now seems to be not quite straight. Before I moan at my garage (in case I just never realised it before) can someone tell me if it is possible to replace the steering wheel slightly off-centre (it's not much) and tell me how to adjust it, as it's a real pain to take her back to the garage as the traffic's terrible.

Thanks in advance,

Neil

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:27 pm

Well that seems strange as its fitted on a tapered spline so I dont see how it could be fitted off centre and they are a very good fit, it doesnt have any movement in it or anything does it ? where it has been put back incorrectly, although I dont see how but its possible.

Post by **Cam** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:28 pm

remove the horn push. Undo the large nut in the centre. pull the wheel off and put it back on rotated a few splines.

www.xing.com/profile/Neil_Shorney · Post by **hornmeister2000** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:30 pm

Well it was always slightly out - I guess that's tracking? It's just that it seemed more, but as I said, I might be imagining it. There's no movement in it. So basically, are you saying it's not possible to fit it wrongly? In that case, I guess it's always been like that. I just want to make sure before I call the garage...!

Post by **Cam** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:32 pm

It's VERY possible to have it fitted incorrectly (rotationally) I think Kevin is thinking offset as in left to right or up and down

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:32 pm

Right I see you meant the alignment of the spokes not the whole steering wheel then, and remember to leave the nut on a couple of turns to avoid bashing your chin.

www.xing.com/profile/Neil_Shorney · Post by **hornmeister2000** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:38 pm

Yes, I mean if the steering wheel is "straight", the car goes to the left. If the wheel is slightly "right", the car goes straight on. Are there many splines? Are there enough to make it just a small amount? If there are only 4 or 5 then I'll assume they've done it OK, as it's not far out.

So I have to remove the horn push (prise it out with a screwdriver) then undo the nut underneath (with a socket?). Thanks everso much for your help, guys - this is really useful!

Post by **d_harris** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:39 pm

Yup thats it.

Post by **Cam** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:51 pm

There are loads of splines... not sure how many..... never counted!! So a bit of adjustment and it should be fine!

Post by **ColinP** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 1:56 pm

Neil,

It is possible for the tracking to be set (badly) by adjusting only one side. This will give the correct toe-in when straight ahead, but will be assymetic when cornering, and also result in the steering wheel being incorrectly aligned.
The adjustment should use both track rods, giving a symmetric effect.

Colin