do you think my steering wheel was removed during an alignment?
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do you think my steering wheel was removed during an alignment?
I just finished rebuilding my entire front suspension and doing so i had removed the steering rack and subframe to cleanup and powdercoat. as part of the alignment process i put the steering rack back to center in accordance to the bently. borrowing from pictures on this forum and previous work, here is a shot of what i mean: i aligned the piston dead center by moving it out of the steering rack housing 33.5mm. if you then measure both sides you will see that the piston sticks out 33.5mm on the left and the right. assuming the rack is good it is now dead center.
http://home.comcast.net/~lytle.r3/IMG_3818.JPG
well (also a borrowed image)
http://home.comcast.net/~lytle.r3/IMG_3852.JPG
when i put the knuckle back on from the steering wheel, my steering wheel is not straight. it is pointing to 11 o'clock. since I never removed my steering wheel and i'm assuming my steering rack is okay and fine. Is it logical to assume that someone else removed it while working on the car or something?
http://home.comcast.net/~lytle.r3/IMG_3818.JPG
well (also a borrowed image)
http://home.comcast.net/~lytle.r3/IMG_3852.JPG
when i put the knuckle back on from the steering wheel, my steering wheel is not straight. it is pointing to 11 o'clock. since I never removed my steering wheel and i'm assuming my steering rack is okay and fine. Is it logical to assume that someone else removed it while working on the car or something?
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Joined: Dec 2004
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There is a mark on the spline that lines up with another on the steering wheel
You can see it after you remove the airbag and the bolt that holds the steering wheel on. If those line up I would imageine that nobody removed the steering wheel. If they are way off it was probably removed at one time. I have pics at home I can post later if needed.
AudiWorld Uber User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 53,281
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Centering the wheel is very easy...>
Wheel cocked right: Just adjust the tie rods OUT on the left and IN on the right an equal number of turns until the wheel centers..
For **** to the left do the opposite.
Do it 1/4 turn at a time. Drive to check, readjust as necessary
I assume you're getting an alignment, so this would be handled then as well..
For **** to the left do the opposite.
Do it 1/4 turn at a time. Drive to check, readjust as necessary
I assume you're getting an alignment, so this would be handled then as well..
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,238
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Are you sure you didn't move the steering wheel when the rack was out?
If the wheel wasn't perfectly centered when you reinstalled the rack, that would be the reason. You can try disconnecting the steering shaft, slide the coupler u-joint up off the rack, turn the wheel slightly to center and reattach. Maybe it was off just one tooth on the spline...?
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well my take on the entire thing is that the steering wheel should be perfectly
straight pointing to 12 oclock and the steering rack should be perfectly centered. when those two conditions are met the knuckle should fit over the spline perfectly. BUT in my case i have to turn the steering wheel away from the center position to 11 oclock for the knuckle to match up on the steering rack spline. the split has a flat side on it, so there is only one way to put it on and so its just impossible to be off a tooth.
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~lytle.r3/IMG_3">
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~lytle.r3/IMG_3852.JPG">
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~lytle.r3/IMG_3">
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~lytle.r3/IMG_3852.JPG">
AudiWorld Uber User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 53,281
Likes: 2
Adjusting the wheel...>>
Via the tie rods is the way alignment shops do it. I've done it this way many times after suspension removals/tweaks. Any time you remove major steering or suspension components you'll need to do this. If you want to retain your alignment settings just make sure the adjustments on both the left and the right are the same (number of turns on the tie rod adjusters). No big deal..
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