[mempheS.D]

Guys,

My steering wheel is off-center (about 10degrees to the left) and NOT my alignment. I am pretty sure about the alignment since, I had got it checked at Madhus last weekend before I set off on a long drive.

Two reasons WHY I am sure it's not the alignment:
1. Trust MADHUS.
2. There is no pulling to either side on a levelled road if I let go off the steering.

The steering was perfectly fine until after a hard-braking-act I had to do in the outskirts to avoid bumping on an unscientific speed-hump from 80-0 as quickly as I can. Ever since, the steering is off center.

Advice?

memphes.d

[condor]

Needs a small adjustment. Can be done at Madhu's itself, IIRC.

[mempheS.D]

Originally Posted by condor

Needs a small adjustment. Can be done at Madhu's itself, IIRC.

Yeah, I believe so too. But, can you help me understand whether it's normal for the steering to go off-center on hard-braking? Maybe a technical explanation if you can. Would appreciate it. Been googling since I got in the office since morning, but, looks like most steering off-center issues crop up in off-roaders or a head-on collision.

[prateek_ch]

I think this has happened due to mis-aligned steering arms. I think an adjustment should work.

[mempheS.D]

Thanks Prateek and condor. I called up the service center today and they freaked me out saying they probably need to pull out the steering column and put it back in again... :O Is this really possible? I'm hoping that it was some whacko who answered the phone.

[greenhorn]

not the column as a whole, probably the nut that attaches the wheel to the column? that did the trick for me

[bala80]

If the car in question has airbags, then its a complicated process. Else, its a 5 minute job which even the roadside mechanic can do.

I recently got this done on my car and it took close to 4 hours for the work (VW).

[mempheS.D]

That calls for a trip to MADHUS again this weekend then. Thanks all.

MODs, you may please bury this thread now.

[SmartCat]

Take it back to the shop and mention the problem. But don't talk about your hard braking and speed bumps story - that will only confuse the mechanic

He will then take out the steering wheel holder that looks like this -



That will hold the steering wheel at the center position. He will then go down under the car to do some adjustments, and then you are good to go.

[suhaas307]

I need to get this done too. My Santro's steering is tilted slightly to the right. But it doesn't change direction when I let go of the steering-wheel. So there is no issue with the alignment.

Need to get new tyres too, so will probably head to Madhu's as well. I've been putting it off for a while, but in the interest of safety, I shall do it.

[puchoo]

eagerly awaiting the final outcome of this visit , my steering is a little off as well , initially i thought it was owing to me having to keep it slightly to the left to drive in a straight line to counter the effect of the wind , but not so.

Originally Posted by mempheS.D

That calls for a trip to MADHUS again this weekend then. Thanks all.

MODs, you may please bury this thread now.

[pushkark]

You will have to adjust the steering wheel from where its attached to steering column. Its usually a 10 mins job and can be done by any local mechanic. But if you car has airbags in steering wheel it will require skilled hands and take longer..

[IndigoXLGrandDi]

Correcting the steering off- center can be done as below--
1) Remove (Pull) the center portion of Fibre of Steering Wheel (mostly the Horn part).
2) Loosen the Nut in the center till half of its travel and pull the Steering Wheel.
3) When the Steering Wheel loosens sufficiently, align the Steering Wheel such that the Front Wheels are pointing straight ahead. Now remove the center nut and steering wheel.
4) Now hold the Steering Wheel straight and fit back. Fit the nut back and tighten it.

Mostly this procedure is followed everywhere (at local alignment centers as well as A S S)

[GTO]

What a long way cars have come. My Jeep's steering goes off-center after every u-turn . The only solution : Turn it fully the other way.

Of the modern cars in my garage, only the Esteem suffered from an off-center steering and yes, that was after hitting a pothole really hard. It took less than 30 minutes to fix it.

[mempheS.D]

From what I hear, it looks more like a job that needs to be done from inside the car, than barely going under it and turning a nut. I'll keep you all posted on what pans out after my visit to MADHUS tomorrow.

Thank you everyone!