3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Steering Wheel doesn't match tire direction!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-18-08, 05:51 AM
  #1  
93 Touring

Thread Starter
 
ppritchard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Longwood FL
Posts: 968
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 2 Posts
Steering Wheel doesn't match tire direction!

More and more, the steering wheel will be off center when the car is pointed straight. I know there are a couple of bolts that can get loose on the steering link rod that runs across the front of the car, but I haven't found anything missing or loose yet.

Just afraid that one day the wheels will go one way and the steering wheel the other.


Anyone had and fixed this issue?
Thanks
Old 06-18-08, 05:55 AM
  #2  
Put it in her butt
iTrader: (1)
 
Azcamel's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Tucson
Posts: 848
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
point the wheel stright, take off the center then the center bolt, take it off and put it back on straight, might take a few times, took me two tries now my wheel is stright. this applies if you have taken off the OEM wheel before, if not then you might have an alightment problem
Old 06-18-08, 07:52 AM
  #3  
Newbie
 
realityck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: right here
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Check your tire pressure.........
Old 06-18-08, 08:36 AM
  #4  
Junior Member
 
LokiXerxes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Jax
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
check your alignment
Old 06-18-08, 12:05 PM
  #5  
Newbie

iTrader: (9)
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MI
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by realityck
Check your tire pressure.........
Uneven tire pressure would cause it to pull one side to the other, but it wouldn't cause the steering wheel to be off from the steering itself.

Sounds like an alignment issue unless you have taken the wheel off for any reason. Take it into an alignment shop and just get the front end aligned, that should take care of the problem assuming there isn't anything else wrong with the front end.
Old 06-18-08, 01:44 PM
  #6  
The Anti-Prius

iTrader: (9)
 
Sled Driver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Federal Way, WA
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Lets look at this logically.

Has it become worse over time or did you notice it after you hit the curb practicing your drifting skills?

Your question is do FD’S have a history of steering wheel alignment problems that just require a simple fix (loose nut behind the wheel?). Everything “looks” tight, but you really don’t know what your doing. Do you?

Convinced that if you take it to a professional he will charge you an arm & leg for 5 minutes of work.

So instead you ask a bunch of strangers, cause they have a red car like yours. Brilliant
Old 06-19-08, 01:49 AM
  #7  
Derek

iTrader: (2)
 
DMoneyRX-7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Posts: 2,011
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Originally Posted by Sled Driver
Lets look at this logically.

Has it become worse over time or did you notice it after you hit the curb practicing your drifting skills?

Your question is do FD’S have a history of steering wheel alignment problems that just require a simple fix (loose nut behind the wheel?). Everything “looks” tight, but you really don’t know what your doing. Do you?

Convinced that if you take it to a professional he will charge you an arm & leg for 5 minutes of work.

So instead you ask a bunch of strangers, cause they have a red car like yours. Brilliant
Bravo! Bravo!...you summed up almost every reason why every question is asked on this forum. Did you just get fed up with the non-sense or something? If so, I don't blame you. Congratulate yourself, you deserve it.
Old 06-19-08, 05:18 AM
  #8  
All Spooled Up

iTrader: (7)
 
badddrx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Ironton,ohio
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Gotta ask, has the Steering wheel been removed before ?


Later
Old 06-19-08, 05:28 AM
  #9  
Moderator

iTrader: (7)
 
dgeesaman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Fort Kickass
Posts: 12,302
Received 16 Likes on 15 Posts
The steering wheel connection is splined. It can't rotate unless you pull it off and hold it in your hands and put it back on.

Check your steering rack mounts. Check your tires too of course. If they're loose the whole rack will move. Also get it aligned when it's all done.
Old 06-19-08, 06:49 AM
  #10  
In the burnout box...

iTrader: (32)
 
mono4lamar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York
Posts: 4,453
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I would go get it aligned before something bad happens. There's the spline near the end of the steering rod that could "possibly" jump if it was not tightened. Other than that you could have one of the tie rod end lock nuts not been tightened either causing one to toe in and one to toe out (while the steering wheel remains straight).

Just go to a reputable alignment shop, tell them your problem, and ask them to take a look over the car before they give it an alignment. That should take care of it all...
Old 06-19-08, 07:26 AM
  #11  
Racecar - Formula 2000

 
DaveW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bath, OH
Posts: 3,850
Received 277 Likes on 198 Posts
Originally Posted by dgeesaman
The steering wheel connection is splined. It can't rotate unless you pull it off and hold it in your hands and put it back on.

Check your steering rack mounts. Check your tires too of course. If they're loose the whole rack will move. Also get it aligned when it's all done.
I agree that it's probably loose rack mounts.

Dave
Old 06-19-08, 05:49 PM
  #12  
airplane apex seals

 
seanfd3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: either sunnyvale or san jose
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
get your front alignment touched up, while doing that the tech will inspect the hole front end check for tie rod play or bends, steering rack, bushings, wheel bearings ect. are ok , I did it on every car I did because theres nothing worse then spending time on it just to have it come back or go out as soon as you take it off the rack. Just make sure the place is on the ball...
Old 06-19-08, 06:56 PM
  #13  
93 Touring

Thread Starter
 
ppritchard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Longwood FL
Posts: 968
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 2 Posts
Dgeesman and DaveW hit it. It was the rack mounts or rather the driver side one.
There are two bolts on each mount. I was missing both from the driver's side. So under pressure they were simply lifting up and the tires weren't being turned.

Simple fix with new bolts.
Thanks for the help.
Old 06-20-08, 02:38 AM
  #14  
Archdandy

iTrader: (1)
 
hsitko's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Predominantly educated metropolitan area
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Sled Driver
Lets look at this logically.

Has it become worse over time or did you notice it after you hit the curb practicing your drifting skills?

Your question is do FD’S have a history of steering wheel alignment problems that just require a simple fix (loose nut behind the wheel?). Everything “looks” tight, but you really don’t know what your doing. Do you?

Convinced that if you take it to a professional he will charge you an arm & leg for 5 minutes of work.

So instead you ask a bunch of strangers, cause they have a red car like yours. Brilliant
Yeah! Support your good local speed shop. Or you might die. If you are having a problem with STEERING RELATED COMPONENTS you might want to think about having a professional look at it, since you have no idea what you are doing. The end.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Th0m4s
Build Threads
25
02-26-19 02:04 AM



Quick Reply: Steering Wheel doesn't match tire direction!



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:52 AM.