steering wheel problem

[awaitcall]

Astra 1.9cdti sri 56plate

Had the car tracked twice and checked three times still the steering wheel is off centre when driving straight

it does not pull. ATS who did the tracking has checked it 3 times and siad the tracking is spot on it could be other issues.

Iv had 2 front part worn tyres fitted to the car before the tracking could that be the problem.
what i was thinking that the steering wheel has been off and refitted wobbly.
Please advice what it could be its really annoying cuz i have just bought the car

 

[Belle427]

id take it somewhere that actually knows what they are doing, did they suggest a reason why they couldnt straighten the steering wheel?

 

[Peter.N.]

The tracking hasn't been adjusted evenly from both sides which means you have slightly more lock one side than the other. It needs one track rod shortening and the other lengthening by exactly the same ammount.

Peter

 

[awaitcall]

Have been to national tyres and ATS

Don't want to go to kwik fit with ther reputation

Any sugestions

 

[Crickleymal]

Did you actually ask the garages to straighten the steering wheel or just check the tracking? If you want it straightened then either adjust the trackrods equally yourself as Peter suggested and then take it for a retrack or ask them to do exactly that.

If the arms are properly adjusted then it could well be steering wheel off time.

 

[Burnerman]

Seriously, if the wheel is a mile off centre, I'd be inclined to pop the wheel off and see if it will align better on another spline....someone must have made one hell of an adjustment at some time to send the wheel out like this.
John

 

[Nige F]

On a modern car with airbag etc

 

[Peter.N.]

If you turn the wheel from lock to lock you should have the same ammount of movement in both directions, if not the track rods need adjusting, if you have, as John says, you can correct it by repositioning the wheel.

Peter

 

[awaitcall]

Thanx for the advice when the steering wheel is locked it locks off centre as well

I have been advised by several wheel alignment specialists that I require four wheel alignment/ geometry and have guaranteed it will solve or will diagnose the problem

 

[Peter.N.]

Its not the alignment that's the problem, its getting the lengths of the track rods equal, next time you get it checked tell them you want the steering wheel straight.

Peter

 

[Burnerman]

Thanx for the advice when the steering wheel is locked it locks off centre as well

I have been advised by several wheel alignment specialists that I require four wheel alignment/ geometry and have guaranteed it will solve or will diagnose the problem

Gawd we are really fed some rubbish, aren't we
When the tracking is adjusted for the first time, the steering wheel should be locked in the straight ahead position - thats done by a device that grips the wheel and steadies itself against the seat.
Then, the track rod ends are adjusted equally until the tracking is correct.
If your car has been in a smash, then 4 wheel alignment could be necessary, but it wouldn't make any difference to the steering wheel orientation.
John