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Steering wheel

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:23 pm
by hornmeister2000
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

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:27 pm
by Kevin
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.

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:28 pm
by Cam
remove the horn push. Undo the large nut in the centre. pull the wheel off and put it back on rotated a few splines.

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:30 pm
by hornmeister2000
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...!

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:32 pm
by Cam
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

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:32 pm
by Kevin
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.

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:38 pm
by hornmeister2000
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!

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:39 pm
by d_harris
Yup thats it.

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:51 pm
by Cam
There are loads of splines... not sure how many..... never counted!! So a bit of adjustment and it should be fine!

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 1:56 pm
by ColinP
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