Went rallying, need alignment help with steering wheel

Chuck33079 · 03-14-2014, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synolimit

Only thing I could find off is the sway bar but it was untouched do to seeing mud hits. If I measure the tip of the end of the sway bar to the lower control arm, drivers is like 0.98" and passenger is like 1.06". But that'd mean the huge whole lower arm is bent which I doubt, or that just the sway bar wasn't cut perfectly at the ends.

My guess is that's normal variance. If not you'd see other things attached to the lower control arm out of spec. I'd just take it to the alignment shop and see what shakes out.

synolimit · 03-14-2014, 01:05 PM

Here's me straight by the way. Not 30* like I thought. Its 16.5*.

synolimit · 03-14-2014, 04:18 PM

Ok so alignment and recalibration seems to help out the wheel but now the yaw light comes on and i cant turn right without the brakes being applied. I'm still here at the shop. Front camber and toe are not really any different than the alignment a month ago. He did adjust it more to zero toe. The rear however needed an adjustment because I put the toe lockout plate backwards on the passenger side and was -1.67 degrees which is prob why I slipped out in the turn to begin with.

So now I'm at a loss. Numbers seem fine, wheel seems fine, but I can turn right. I have to drive around with the yaw sensor killed.

SouthArk370Z · 03-14-2014, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synolimit

Ok so alignment and recalibration seems to help out the wheel but now the yaw light comes on ...

Sounds like the steering wheel position sensor is out of adjustment.

Edit:

Quote:

Originally Posted by synolimit

i cant turn right without the brakes being applied

That sounds like a (serious) mechanical problem but I have no idea what it would be. After reading the thread you linked to, I'd double-check the tierod ends and other steering/suspension parts that may have been involved.

synolimit · 03-14-2014, 04:27 PM

Seems to be a very similar issue...

Steering, ESP and slip problems - 350Z General - 350Z & 370Z UK

synolimit · 03-14-2014, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

Sounds like the steering wheel position sensor is out of adjustment.

Can I check it?

SouthArk370Z · 03-14-2014, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synolimit

Can I check it?

Procedure is in the FSM but I don't remember if checking it can be done with "normal" tools.

Edit: I'd make sure there are no mechanical problems before I started worrying about the position sensor. Get the root problem fixed and the position sensor may "fix" itself.

synolimit · 03-14-2014, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

Sounds like the steering wheel position sensor is out of adjustment.

Edit:

That sounds like a (serious) mechanical problem but I have no idea what it would be. After reading the thread you linked to, I'd double-check the tierod ends and other steering/suspension parts that may have been involved.

Serious maybe. The steering wheel does seem now slightly cocked to the left after the alignment. I mean I checked "things", nothing seems bent or broken. With the brakes being applied its an electrical issue caused by a mechanical one maybe. The yaw might be one way but the steering angle or abs sensor might be another. I mean with the yaw killed everything is fine. Here's the sheet...remember the passenger toe was a backwards plate so nothing crazy happened it seems.

PS the car also drove and turned fine before the alignment (minus the cocked steering wheel to the right), after 3 recalibrations the car won't turn. Something in the computer or sensor is not playing nice.

SouthArk370Z · 03-14-2014, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synolimit

Serious maybe. I mean I checked "things", nothing seems bent or broken. With the brakes being applied its an electrical issue caused by a mechanical one maybe. The yaw might be one way but the steering angle or abs sensor might be another. I mean with the yaw killed everything is fine. Here the sheet...remember the passenger toe was a backwards plate so nothing crazy happened it seems.

PS the car also drove and turned fine before the alignment (minus the cocked steering wheel), after 3 recalibrations the car won't turn. Something in the computer or sensor is not playing nice.

If the steering wheel is straight now (and assuming the position sensor and yaw sensor are OK), then it sounds like it could be the wheel sensor causing the warning light but that shouldn't affect steering in the way you describe. Or maybe I'm misunderstanding what you mean by having to put on the brakes to turn.

synolimit · 03-14-2014, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

If the steering wheel is straight now (and assuming the position sensor and yaw sensor are OK), then it sounds like it could be the wheel sensor causing the warning light but that shouldn't affect steering in the way you describe. Or maybe I'm misunderstanding what you mean by having to put on the brakes to turn.

I edited the post you quoted. Steering is now slightly left instead of right but that might be the crown in the road. Before was like 16* tilt, now I'd say under 5* but left.

synolimit · 03-14-2014, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

If the steering wheel is straight now (and assuming the position sensor and yaw sensor are OK), then it sounds like it could be the wheel sensor causing the warning light but that shouldn't affect steering in the way you describe. Or maybe I'm misunderstanding what you mean by having to put on the brakes to turn.

What I mean is I drive at say 35mph, the road has a slight curve right where I need to turn the wheel maybe 16*, the yaw light flashes but does not stay on (and yes, it's the yaw light that flashes, not the traction control light) and the brakes are pumped automatically causing me to plow left.

SouthArk370Z · 03-14-2014, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synolimit

I edited the post you quoted. Steering is now slightly left instead of right but that might be the crown in the road. Before was like 16* tilt, now I'd say under 5* but left.

I don't remember how close you have to be to perfectly straight. Five degrees may be enough to throw the computer off. The FSM should have that spec.

If the steering wheel has moved at all, that indicates to me that there is a very real possibility of serious damage. I recommend taking the car to a collision repair shop and get them to check for damage. This is way too serious to be diagnosing over the Intertubes - especially by me.

synolimit · 03-14-2014, 05:07 PM

Is this a problem? The lines don't match?

SouthArk370Z · 03-14-2014, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synolimit

What I mean is I drive at say 35mph, the road has a slight curve right where I need to turn the wheel maybe 16*, the yaw light flashes but does not stay on (and yes, it's the yaw light that flashes, not the traction control light) and the brakes are pumped automatically causing me to plow left.

With all the other symptoms it sounds like the steering wheel position sensor and the yaw sensor are disagreeing and the car assumes it needs to correct. I still think the root cause is something more serious than the steering wheel/SWPS being out of adjustment. But I'm no expert.

synolimit · 03-14-2014, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

I don't remember how close you have to be to perfectly straight. Five degrees may be enough to throw the computer off. The FSM should have that spec.

If the steering wheel has moved at all, that indicates to me that there is a very real possibility of serious damage. I recommend taking the car to a collision repair shop and get them to check for damage. This is way too serious to be diagnosing over the Intertubes - especially by me.

Understood. I like you helping though. Haven't been wrong before

03-14-2014, 04:18 PM	#18 (permalink)
synolimit A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2013 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 5,051 Drives: 2013 Silver 370z Rep Power: 3388	Ok so alignment and recalibration seems to help out the wheel but now the yaw light comes on and i cant turn right without the brakes being applied. I'm still here at the shop. Front camber and toe are not really any different than the alignment a month ago. He did adjust it more to zero toe. The rear however needed an adjustment because I put the toe lockout plate backwards on the passenger side and was -1.67 degrees which is prob why I slipped out in the turn to begin with. So now I'm at a loss. Numbers seem fine, wheel seems fine, but I can turn right. I have to drive around with the yaw sensor killed. __________________ 13 370z-

03-14-2014, 04:27 PM	#20 (permalink)
synolimit A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2013 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 5,051 Drives: 2013 Silver 370z Rep Power: 3388	Seems to be a very similar issue... Steering, ESP and slip problems - 350Z General - 350Z & 370Z UK __________________ 13 370z-

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