Steering wheel alignment problems

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Sep 1, 1999 | 12:43 PM

MGH

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Steering wheel alignment problems

My 96 Audi A4's steering wheel alignment is not aligned. TO drive straight, you need to have the steering wheel turned a few degrees to the left. If you just let it steer on its own, its veers to the right. Does the steering wheel need an alignment, or does the car itself and its wheels need the re-alignment??

Sep 1, 1999 | 01:32 PM

Reggie

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When they do the alignment on a car - they are suppose to

align the steering wheel too. Remember, most roads have a crown to them, and the some cars will natually follow this crown ( if you are in the right lane - to the right; and if you are in the left lane - to the left) This condition is normal.

Sep 1, 1999 | 01:51 PM

MikeH

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The steering should be re-centered, but not the wheel itself (more)

When you are on a level road, the car should go straight with the steering wheel centered. Sometimes (not always) the alignment shop will provide compensation for crowned roads. Normally this compensation assumes that the road is sloping down to the right.

Since some road slope down to the left (particularly divided highways), I prefer no crown compensation.

In any case, if the steering is off-center, they can and should "center" the steering as part of the alignment process. It does not, repeat NOT, consist of pulling off the steering wheel and re-mounting it at the "centered" position. This is done under the car with the tie rods.

Your shop should quickly and without argument touch up the steering centering.