Steering Wheel Skew after alignment

[willni]

Had a full alignment done and after it the steering wheel is pointing to the right, is there any problem pulling the wheel off and moving it over a few splines or ridges? or is there a more professional way with vag-com?

[willni]

Wheels pointing straight, leaves steering wheel at this angle.


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[MIJ_JAGGER]

Interesting, mine does the same thing, I’ve been told it’s the subframe not being aligned apparently. Let me know if adjusting the wheel ridges couple notches sorts it please

[willni]

Interesting, mine does the same thing, I’ve been told it’s the subframe not being aligned apparently. Let me know if adjusting the wheel ridges couple notches sorts it please

Just been told to get them to realign it, as they should’ve centred the wheel before it. So I’ll call in and ask them on Thursday, before I move it a few notches incase it does more harm


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[pudding]

The correct way to align cars with steering angle sensors is to set to 0 degrees (i.e dead straight) on the diagnostic screen, and then adjust the tie rods to suit.

If you move the steering wheel round some notches to center it by eye, you will have an angle bias on one side, which may affect the steering weight and or ESP behavior, depending what the manufacturer 'tolerance' is.

Given how many cars have electric steering these days, and how long electric steering has been around (well over a decade), that kind of ignorance in the trade is unacceptable.....but then again......what else is new!!

[Dan_FR]

It will affect the ESP. Never take the steering wheel off to centre it - take it back and get it done properly

[coolhandluke]

Had a full alignment done and after it the steering wheel is pointing to the right, is there any problem pulling the wheel off and moving it over a few splines or ridges? or is there a more professional way with vag-com?

Where did you have it done ?

[willni]

Where did you have it done ?

Local place all new equipment


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[Stupots]

Exact same thing just happened to me on Saturday and to rub salt into wounds I said before they started the tracking "Please make sure you centre the wheel before you do the tracking as I've had it done on a previous car before and they didn't centre the steering wheel and I'm a bit funny about those kinda things..."

I was told this was no problem and they clamp the wheel in position. It's not until you've driven down a nice straight road for a while that you realise it's out of alignment. It's especially annoying for me, as I specifically mentioned it. Mine is biased to the left, about the same amount as yours.

[pudding]

You have to be very literal with them.  'Set the angle sensor to 0 degrees' and 'centering the wheel' are very different things.  Most garages understand it to mean holding the steering wheel still with a crook lock.

[Dan_FR]

That's all 98% of garages will do as they all have the 'it'll do' approach.

Clamping it central should be sufficient, you don't need to get VCDS out for the steering angle reading - provided the steering wheel hasn't been off. Problem is they use a spring loaded clamp that doesn't clamp it as securely as it could, probably for fear of damage. If you watch the steering wheel whilst they're aligning the wheels, it moves around a lot

[BaldwinGTI]

You have to be very literal with them.  'Set the angle sensor to 0 degrees' and 'centering the wheel' are very different things.  Most garages understand it to mean holding the steering wheel still with a crook lock.

I have a similar issue and I am taking the car in this week. The question is how do you say this to the garage without causing them to get their knickers in a twist about it?!


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[pudding]

Just did a search and it looks like VW did the same thing to the MK5 as they did the MK4 - stamped in alignment marks after the geometry was done.

VCDS is easier than pulling it to bits though!

[MIJ_JAGGER]

Notch marks line up on mine so it’s defo not the steering wheel not installed properly.
Anyone know how much VW charge for an alignment?

[Juliand]

You have to be very literal with them.  'Set the angle sensor to 0 degrees' and 'centering the wheel' are very different things.  Most garages understand it to mean holding the steering wheel still with a crook lock.

I have a similar issue and I am taking the car in this week. The question is how do you say this to the garage without causing them to get their knickers in a twist about it?!


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As Pudding says, you're going to have to be 'literal' with them; be upfront - talk to the manager, say you're a fussy f*ckr, you want the best man on the job, and it's got to be right - say you've read of more than a few having problems after it being done, so if he doesn't want to do the job correctly, you'd rather know now, so that  you can take your business to someone who actually gives a poo about their work.

If he gets his pants in a twist over it, you will know exactly what kind of after-service you can expect from him , and walk away.