Went rallying, need alignment help with steering wheel

Chuck33079 · 03-14-2014, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karotZ

OP, are running an aftermarket steering wheel? Anyway, 2 ways to fix it is either to remove your steering wheel (aftermarket or OEM) and then re-install it by centering it. Otherwise you will need it professionally adjusted if that doesn't work based on your explanation. Just an advise, do not step/press on your brake pedal while removing the airbag.

If he hit something off-road and now the steering wheel's 30 degrees off center, isn't adjusting the steering wheel itself the wrong thing to do?

karotZ · 03-14-2014, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

If he hit something off-road and now the steering wheel's 30 degrees off center, isn't adjusting the steering wheel itself the wrong thing to do?

It is possibly the wrong thing, but considering that if OP actually did check his toe, camber, arms and tie rods, it is possible that what happened to him is like mine which misaligned the steering rod (i forgot what it was exactly called) due to massive counter-steer when I hit something on the road. Had nissan and several shops took a look it, wherein everything was in spec, the fix was either re-align the steering rod, or pop the steering wheel off and then re-centering it. When I did mine, I just decided to put a momo steering wheel instead back then. I think the best way is to have it professionally put back.

Chuck33079 · 03-14-2014, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karotZ

It is possibly the wrong thing, but considering that if OP actually did check his toe, camber, arms and tie rods, it is possible that what happened to him is like mine which misaligned the steering rod (i forgot what it was exactly called) due to massive counter-steer when I hit something on the road. Had nissan and several shops took a look it, wherein everything was in spec, the fix was either re-align the steering rod, or pop the steering wheel off and then re-centering it. When I did mine, I just decided to put a momo steering wheel instead back then. I think the best way is to have it professionally put back.

Very possible. I've never taken my Z off road, but I would think an impact sufficient to misalign the steering rod would have damaged some other stuff, right? You didn't see any damage to anything but the steering rod?

karotZ · 03-14-2014, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Very possible. I've never taken my Z off road, but I would think an impact sufficient to misalign the steering rod would have damaged some other stuff, right? You didn't see any damage to anything but the steering rod?

I know right?! No damage even on the steering rod, I had all the shops scratching their heads and asked if Hulk drove it like he stole it.

But seriously, zero issues, but I no longer have an airbag. Love my Nardi!

Chuck33079 · 03-14-2014, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karotZ

I know right?! No damage even on the steering rod, I had all the shops scratching their heads and asked if Hulk drove it like he stole it.

But seriously, zero issues, but I no longer have an airbag. Love my Nardi!

I'll go to my grave not understanding how a hit like that would not mess up everything else in the suspension near it.

synolimit · 03-14-2014, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

I'll go to my grave not understanding how a hit like that would not mess up everything else in the suspension near it.

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.

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, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karotZ

It is possibly the wrong thing, but considering that if OP actually did check his toe, camber, arms and tie rods, it is possible that what happened to him is like mine which misaligned the steering rod (i forgot what it was exactly called) due to massive counter-steer when I hit something on the road. Had nissan and several shops took a look it, wherein everything was in spec, the fix was either re-align the steering rod, or pop the steering wheel off and then re-centering it. When I did mine, I just decided to put a momo steering wheel instead back then. I think the best way is to have it professionally put back.

You're talking about a bent rod from the wheel down to the power steering rack? That could be maybe.

synolimit · 03-14-2014, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

If he hit something off-road and now the steering wheel's 30 degrees off center, isn't adjusting the steering wheel itself the wrong thing to do?

I drifted a corner (not on purpose, cold tires), over corrected real fast with the wheel, the car snapped back very very fast, and I went off road. There was a ditch then berm so I just implied that's what I hit. The tire did have some mud on it and some was impacted into the gap in the wheel and rim area. So I assume that's what did the steering wheel in. But everything below again seems perfect.

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