Steering wheel not straight

chris james · Jun 29th, 2011, 15:11

My steering wheel is slightly off to the left when driving in a straight line. The tracking is all ok as it was all checked at the last service a couple of months ago. Any suggestions as to how the wheel can be put straight without adjusting the tracking which is already correct !

Dean1985 · Jun 29th, 2011, 15:52

SNAP! mine is like this too.

Dancake · Jun 29th, 2011, 16:55

As is mine lol

capt jack · Jun 29th, 2011, 17:01

Mine leans to the right a bit!

Jack

The Hooded Claw · Jun 29th, 2011, 17:25

The CORRECT way is to have it re tracked up & the steering wheel held in the "straight ahead" position (locked to the driving seat with the correct tool)

it is an all too often occurance where you blat down a pothole or Park on the kerb causing the Tracking to move "out" a few millimeters.

Most garages just "guesstimate" the position of the steering wheel (Lean in & "ohh its "About right") ..

the easy way & VERY BAD WAY to adjust it is to remove the steering wheel off its splines & re-position it to "Straight ahead"..I have NEVER done it that way as it involves removing the air bag & I never wanted two BLACK EYES & a new air bag !!!

If you go to a garage to "track it up" ask them BEFORE they start have they got/do they use the Steering Wheel "Centering Post tool" ....

If they haven't .. walk away & go somewhere else ..

Keith

twinturbo · Jun 29th, 2011, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Hooded Claw

the easy way & VERY BAD WAY to adjust it is to remove the steering wheel off its splines & re-position it to "Straight ahead"..I have NEVER done it that way as it involves removing the air bag & I never wanted two BLACK EYES & a new air bag !!!

Probably would not be brillaint as you can never get it right especially on cars with columns that are not splined but hex or similar.

Airbag not a problem though, just disconnect the battery and leave the car for half an hour to disspell any chance of residual voltage, the unit is still highly unlikely to go off even if there is.

But the correct correct way.

unwind both track rod ends and measure protrusion of track road and equalize between sides.

If steering wheel is not in straight ahead position remove and replace straight ahead.

If steering wheel can not be replaced straight ahead then replace in position that will require least movement after replacing steering wheel.

Center wheel and lock.

Refit track rod ends and adjust to correct toe setting.

Remove locking too.

The steering wheel should now be central, tracking should be correct and the steering rack should be located at the middle of it's travel during straight ahead driving ensuring an equel amount of lock available at both sides. .

TT

The Hooded Claw · Jun 29th, 2011, 19:00

BANG ON there TT ... Crackin post mate !!!

Keith

Volvon · Jul 1st, 2011, 12:06

Mine was very wonky, took 10 mins to adjust the toe settings and now its perfectly straight again.

Jun 29th, 2011, 15:11	#1
chris james New Member Last Online: Nov 27th, 2013 12:10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: hull	Steering wheel not straight My steering wheel is slightly off to the left when driving in a straight line. The tracking is all ok as it was all checked at the last service a couple of months ago. Any suggestions as to how the wheel can be put straight without adjusting the tracking which is already correct !

Jun 29th, 2011, 17:01	#4
capt jack VOC Member Last Online: Apr 20th, 2024 18:56 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire	Left-leaning? Mine leans to the right a bit! Jack

Jun 29th, 2011, 17:25	#5
The Hooded Claw Owner Volvovehiclesclub Last Online: Apr 4th, 2014 12:18 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Choosing which Volvo to go out in Today !!! lex parsimoniae View Photos By: The Hooded Claw	The CORRECT way is to have it re tracked up & the steering wheel held in the "straight ahead" position (locked to the driving seat with the correct tool) it is an all too often occurance where you blat down a pothole or Park on the kerb causing the Tracking to move "out" a few millimeters. Most garages just "guesstimate" the position of the steering wheel (Lean in & "ohh its "About right") .. the easy way & VERY BAD WAY to adjust it is to remove the steering wheel off its splines & re-position it to "Straight ahead"..I have NEVER done it that way as it involves removing the air bag & I never wanted two BLACK EYES & a new air bag !!! If you go to a garage to "track it up" ask them BEFORE they start have they got/do they use the Steering Wheel "Centering Post tool" .... If they haven't .. walk away & go somewhere else .. Keith __________________ 2000 C70 T5 Phase 1 240 Bhp in Saffron Orange ("SAPPHIRE") 2001 S80 2435cc Now with Andy Northface () 1994 960 CD 3.0 Estate ("The Purple Monster") VOC 25900 lex parsimoniae

Jun 29th, 2011, 19:00	#7
The Hooded Claw Owner Volvovehiclesclub Last Online: Apr 4th, 2014 12:18 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Choosing which Volvo to go out in Today !!! lex parsimoniae View Photos By: The Hooded Claw	BANG ON there TT ... Crackin post mate !!! Keith __________________ 2000 C70 T5 Phase 1 240 Bhp in Saffron Orange ("SAPPHIRE") 2001 S80 2435cc Now with Andy Northface () 1994 960 CD 3.0 Estate ("The Purple Monster") VOC 25900 lex parsimoniae

Jul 1st, 2011, 12:06	#8
Volvon Master Member Last Online: Nov 13th, 2020 06:29 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: The Land of Ice & Snow	Mine was very wonky, took 10 mins to adjust the toe settings and now its perfectly straight again. __________________ 1999 V40 1.9D (D4192T2 engine) Current mileage: 211,000 miles Average MPG: 54.4

Jun 29th, 2011, 15:52	#2
Dean1985 Master Member Last Online: Jun 4th, 2021 20:51 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Norwich	SNAP! mine is like this too.

Jun 29th, 2011, 16:55	#3
Dancake Premier Member Last Online: Today 09:06 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Belfast	As is mine lol

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)