Steering Wheel Off Centre

steviec · 30-04-2006, 11:27

When I had new tyres fitted, I had the tracking checked and adjusted as it was out. Anyway numerous visits later the tracking is spot on but the steering wheel is slightly out. If I put it perfectly straight the car heads for the kerb so have to drive with it off centre slightly. Would say instead of it running quarter to quarter past so perfectly straight it runs 48 mins to 18mins passed.

Now I have seen of the computerised tracking system that the tracking is perfect showing 0 on all four wheels, but the steering is still out slightly and annoying as hell especially more noticable with controls on stering wheel.

My question is, is it possible to realign the steering wheel itself for example remove it and move it back a notch?

**mannyo** · 30-04-2006, 13:08

The person that did the tracking has done it wrong. The tracking maybe correct but only when the steering wheel is not pointing straight ahead. Get them to do it again, but this time make sure the steering wheel is pointing straight ahead (it should show as being out of adjustment). They should use a device to hold the steering wheel so its position isnt disturbed whilst fiddling with the adjusting nuts.

steviec · 30-04-2006, 13:15

Thanks for that, that's what I suggested to them and have been back and too nearly a dozen times now trying to get this sorted and TBH are well fed up with it.

They have a device that fits between the steering wheel & seat that "in theory" hold the wheel straight but it's still out when they do it, it's driving me potty. Was debating sitting in the car whilst they set it to make sure the wheel is straight, or even putting it slightly off to take in to account there margin of error.

tomo2001 · 30-04-2006, 15:27

My steering wheel was out after taking delivery of the car. Apparently should have been checked and corrected during PDI. Anyway got it done under warranty by the dealer.

steviec · 30-04-2006, 18:17

So it's something the Dealer can do quite easily? As I am that P'd off back and too to the tyre place over the last couple of months I'd prefer that route.

dutchnigs · 03-05-2006, 15:41

Had the same problem with steering wheel off centre from new(June 2005)...Numerous visits to the dealer(& their bodyshop machine)STILL the same....I now drive with a tilt to my head....dealer was/is waste of time...

EddyH · 03-05-2006, 15:55

Why do I see so many of these threads? Are there really that many places out there offering wheel alignment services that don't know what they're doing?

It really is poor that these companies are charging for such bad service.

cheezemonkhai · 03-05-2006, 16:33

Yes and ditto for tyre ballanceing.

I know of a good one in the hampshire area if anyone needs one.

Basil · 03-05-2006, 18:10

I might be wrong - but I think that I've seen that you can adjust the steering wheel independantly via VAG-COM, and I don't mean the "weight" (Lightness/Heaviness).

Apologies if it's the confusion of one too many coffees....

One for the VAG-COM techies out there (you know who I mean)

EddyH · 03-05-2006, 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basil

I might be wrong - but I think that I've seen that you can adjust the steering wheel independantly via VAG-COM, and I don't mean the "weight" (Lightness/Heaviness).

Apologies if it's the confusion of one too many coffees....

One for the VAG-COM techies out there (you know who I mean)

No, you're wrong I'm afraid. You're prehaps thinking about the recentering procedure for ESP equipped cars which is something entirely different and is purely for calibrating the steering angle sensor.

ednmra · 03-05-2006, 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezemonkhai

Yes and ditto for tyre ballanceing.

I know of a good one in the hampshire area if anyone needs one.

It is amazing how inexpert experts can be. You would think the very first thing done before track adjustment is centre the steering wheel and KEEP it there.

I also hate wheel balancers that say they can't put the weights on the insides of your alloys. Of course they can! They just can't be bothered.

DaveH · 03-05-2006, 19:51

I have major problems everytime i get balancing and tracking done, its a real pain. I got to the stage of refusing tracking (if the tyre wear looked even) cos they only ever made it worse. The tracking was adjusted when i got the coilovers fitted though and guess what, the steering wheel is no longer straight! You can take the wheel off and move it one spline if you're as anal as me.

steviec · 03-05-2006, 19:57

I think it's down to the quality of the Technician, or during my first two visits Tea Lad. The setup the tyre place has is all computerised but was still showing +/- 1, but after complaints and many visits the Manager got of his **** and did it zero all round on all wheels perfect if the steering wheel was straight.

Done first major drive in it today Warrington to Hatfield return 350 miles and it wasn't "that" noticable yes it's slightly out, but because I know it's there it's annoying but it's the best it's been since visiting said tyre place. Honestly wish I had never gone in the first place now

And to make matter worse comming up the M6 tonight big brick bounces over the Car in front, it was one of them you know it's going to hit but can't get out of the way, its just where. It hit the windscreen just to the right of the rear view mirroe and took a big chunk out of the glass, then I sat and watched as the crack started travelling around the windscreen. So new windscreen now needed

Put the fear of God in to me, but not nearly as much as the person I was on the phone two on hands free, they thought I'd crashed or something.

cheezemonkhai · 03-05-2006, 20:03

Hey be greatful, new windscreen on insurance is a small pay out and doesn't affect the no claims. Brick into the body work now that would have been bad.

steviec · 03-05-2006, 20:13

True, that's what was bothering me, or straight through the headlight would of been nasty especially with Xenons.

Just discovered that Direct Line have put the Windscreen excess up from £40 to £60 and AutoGlass won't have a Windscreen in until Friday and can come down Sunday to fit. Good job it didn't come through.

30-04-2006, 11:27	#1
steviec Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Warrington, Cheshire Posts: 753 Members Car: Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0 FSI Thanks: 10 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Steering Wheel Off Centre When I had new tyres fitted, I had the tracking checked and adjusted as it was out. Anyway numerous visits later the tracking is spot on but the steering wheel is slightly out. If I put it perfectly straight the car heads for the kerb so have to drive with it off centre slightly. Would say instead of it running quarter to quarter past so perfectly straight it runs 48 mins to 18mins passed. Now I have seen of the computerised tracking system that the tracking is perfect showing 0 on all four wheels, but the steering is still out slightly and annoying as hell especially more noticable with controls on stering wheel. My question is, is it possible to realign the steering wheel itself for example remove it and move it back a notch? __________________ Cheers Steve Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0T FSI - Black Magic, 18" Alloys, Dual Zone Climate Control, Jumbo Box, Rear Electric Windows, Xenon Headlights, MaxiDot, Light Assist, Front & Rear Parking Sensors, Rain Sensing Wipers & Dipping Rear View Mirror. Pentagon SupaGlass in Midnight, Parrot 3400LS GPS Bluetooth Car Kit.

30-04-2006, 13:08	#2
mannyo BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Stevenage Herts. Posts: 11,474 Members Car: Octavia 2.0 TDi Elegance Thanks: 58 Thanked 361 Times in 332 Posts	Re: Steering Wheel Off Centre The person that did the tracking has done it wrong. The tracking maybe correct but only when the steering wheel is not pointing straight ahead. Get them to do it again, but this time make sure the steering wheel is pointing straight ahead (it should show as being out of adjustment). They should use a device to hold the steering wheel so its position isnt disturbed whilst fiddling with the adjusting nuts. __________________ Manny 2005 Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance combi my skoda website http://www.octaviars.co.uk Join the briskoda.net folding team click Here for more info Last edited by mannyo; 30-04-2006 at 13:09.

30-04-2006, 13:15	#3
steviec Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Warrington, Cheshire Posts: 753 Members Car: Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0 FSI Thanks: 10 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Steering Wheel Off Centre Thanks for that, that's what I suggested to them and have been back and too nearly a dozen times now trying to get this sorted and TBH are well fed up with it. They have a device that fits between the steering wheel & seat that "in theory" hold the wheel straight but it's still out when they do it, it's driving me potty. Was debating sitting in the car whilst they set it to make sure the wheel is straight, or even putting it slightly off to take in to account there margin of error. __________________ Cheers Steve Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0T FSI - Black Magic, 18" Alloys, Dual Zone Climate Control, Jumbo Box, Rear Electric Windows, Xenon Headlights, MaxiDot, Light Assist, Front & Rear Parking Sensors, Rain Sensing Wipers & Dipping Rear View Mirror. Pentagon SupaGlass in Midnight, Parrot 3400LS GPS Bluetooth Car Kit.

30-04-2006, 15:27	#4
tomo2001 Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Sheffield Posts: 347 Members Car: Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI PD Elegance Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Steering Wheel Off Centre My steering wheel was out after taking delivery of the car. Apparently should have been checked and corrected during PDI. Anyway got it done under warranty by the dealer.

30-04-2006, 18:17	#5
steviec Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Warrington, Cheshire Posts: 753 Members Car: Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0 FSI Thanks: 10 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Steering Wheel Off Centre So it's something the Dealer can do quite easily? As I am that P'd off back and too to the tyre place over the last couple of months I'd prefer that route. __________________ Cheers Steve Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0T FSI - Black Magic, 18" Alloys, Dual Zone Climate Control, Jumbo Box, Rear Electric Windows, Xenon Headlights, MaxiDot, Light Assist, Front & Rear Parking Sensors, Rain Sensing Wipers & Dipping Rear View Mirror. Pentagon SupaGlass in Midnight, Parrot 3400LS GPS Bluetooth Car Kit.

03-05-2006, 15:41	#6
dutchnigs Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: west midlands Posts: 16 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Steering Wheel Off Centre Had the same problem with steering wheel off centre from new(June 2005)...Numerous visits to the dealer(& their bodyshop machine)STILL the same....I now drive with a tilt to my head....dealer was/is waste of time...

03-05-2006, 15:55	#7
EddyH Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 4,908 Members Car: Audi S8 Thanks: 41 Thanked 27 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Steering Wheel Off Centre Why do I see so many of these threads? Are there really that many places out there offering wheel alignment services that don't know what they're doing? It really is poor that these companies are charging for such bad service. __________________ EddyH Audi A6 Avant 2.7 TDI Audi A3 2.0 TDI Sport

03-05-2006, 16:33	#8
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 15,664 Members Car: Thanks: 116 Thanked 526 Times in 487 Posts	Re: Steering Wheel Off Centre Yes and ditto for tyre ballanceing. I know of a good one in the hampshire area if anyone needs one.

03-05-2006, 18:10	#9
Basil Hardcore Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bahrain Posts: 3,257 Members Car: Fabia vRS Thanks: 200 Thanked 194 Times in 151 Posts	Re: Steering Wheel Off Centre I might be wrong - but I think that I've seen that you can adjust the steering wheel independantly via VAG-COM, and I don't mean the "weight" (Lightness/Heaviness). Apologies if it's the confusion of one too many coffees.... One for the VAG-COM techies out there (you know who I mean)

03-05-2006, 19:51	#12
DaveH Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sheffield Posts: 806 Members Car: Octavia Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Steering Wheel Off Centre I have major problems everytime i get balancing and tracking done, its a real pain. I got to the stage of refusing tracking (if the tyre wear looked even) cos they only ever made it worse. The tracking was adjusted when i got the coilovers fitted though and guess what, the steering wheel is no longer straight! You can take the wheel off and move it one spline if you're as anal as me. __________________ Mondeo Tdci 115, sweet!

03-05-2006, 19:57	#13
steviec Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Warrington, Cheshire Posts: 753 Members Car: Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0 FSI Thanks: 10 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Steering Wheel Off Centre I think it's down to the quality of the Technician, or during my first two visits Tea Lad. The setup the tyre place has is all computerised but was still showing +/- 1, but after complaints and many visits the Manager got of his ** and did it zero all round on all wheels perfect if the steering wheel was straight. Done first major drive in it today Warrington to Hatfield return 350 miles and it wasn't "that" noticable yes it's slightly out, but because I know it's there it's annoying but it's the best it's been since visiting said tyre place. Honestly wish I had never gone in the first place now And to make matter worse comming up the M6 tonight big brick bounces over the Car in front, it was one of them you know it's going to hit but can't get out of the way, its just where. It hit the windscreen just to the right of the rear view mirroe and took a big chunk out of the glass, then I sat and watched as the crack started travelling around the windscreen. So new windscreen now needed Put the fear of God in to me, but not nearly as much as the person I was on the phone two on hands free, they thought I'd crashed or something. __________________ Cheers Steve Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0T FSI** - Black Magic, 18" Alloys, Dual Zone Climate Control, Jumbo Box, Rear Electric Windows, Xenon Headlights, MaxiDot, Light Assist, Front & Rear Parking Sensors, Rain Sensing Wipers & Dipping Rear View Mirror. Pentagon SupaGlass in Midnight, Parrot 3400LS GPS Bluetooth Car Kit.

03-05-2006, 20:03	#14
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 15,664 Members Car: Thanks: 116 Thanked 526 Times in 487 Posts	Re: Steering Wheel Off Centre Hey be greatful, new windscreen on insurance is a small pay out and doesn't affect the no claims. Brick into the body work now that would have been bad.

03-05-2006, 20:13	#15
steviec Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Warrington, Cheshire Posts: 753 Members Car: Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0 FSI Thanks: 10 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Steering Wheel Off Centre True, that's what was bothering me, or straight through the headlight would of been nasty especially with Xenons. Just discovered that Direct Line have put the Windscreen excess up from £40 to £60 and AutoGlass won't have a Windscreen in until Friday and can come down Sunday to fit. Good job it didn't come through. __________________ Cheers Steve Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0T FSI - Black Magic, 18" Alloys, Dual Zone Climate Control, Jumbo Box, Rear Electric Windows, Xenon Headlights, MaxiDot, Light Assist, Front & Rear Parking Sensors, Rain Sensing Wipers & Dipping Rear View Mirror. Pentagon SupaGlass in Midnight, Parrot 3400LS GPS Bluetooth Car Kit.

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