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1998 S90 steering wheel off after alignment (UPDATED)

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1997 - 1998 V90/S90

This topic is in the MVS Volvo Repair Database » How to Read a CARFAX Report
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steelbox
Posts: 17
Joined: 21 April 2011
Year and Model: s-90 1998
Location: california

1998 S90 steering wheel off after alignment (UPDATED)

Post by steelbox »

Hello

my s-90 needed a front end alignment so i took it to the alignment shop that was recommended by my volvo mechanic. anyway i had to take it back to the alignment shop to try and get the steering wheel straight but still didn't get it right. The alignment is fine so will i just have to live with a cock eyed steering wheel. its about 1/2 in. or so to left of center. thanks for your advice. the steering wheel was a little off when i first took it to the alignment shop by about the same distance. :wink:
Last edited by steelbox on 22 Apr 2011, 18:54, edited 1 time in total.

anjill182
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Post by anjill182 »

Take it back and make them fix it. The blinkers won't cancel properly.

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kcodyjr
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Post by kcodyjr »

+1

You paid them good money to make the wheels point straight, including the steering wheel.

Make them do it over and over until they get it right or give back your money.
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lummert
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Post by lummert »

The toe will be needing reset to correct the steering wheel problem. It is a simple adjustment if they know what they're doing.
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steelbox
Posts: 17
Joined: 21 April 2011
Year and Model: s-90 1998
Location: california

Post by steelbox »

lummert wrote:The toe will be needing reset to correct the steering wheel problem. It is a simple adjustment if they know what they're doing.
thanks i tell them in the morning when i go back to reset the toe.

steelbox
Posts: 17
Joined: 21 April 2011
Year and Model: s-90 1998
Location: california

Post by steelbox »

anjill182 wrote:Take it back and make them fix it. The blinkers won't cancel properly.
thank you i went back but will have to go again in the morning.

steelbox
Posts: 17
Joined: 21 April 2011
Year and Model: s-90 1998
Location: california

Post by steelbox »

kcodyjr wrote:+1

You paid them good money to make the wheels point straight, including the steering wheel.

Make them do it over and over until they get it right or give back your money.
thank you i will take it back until they get it right. will post the outcome. thank everyone for the help.

precopster
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Post by precopster »

Easy fix, they turn the left tie rod one way and the right one the other way (depending on which way they want the wheel to go) This retains the correct toe-in. An experienced aligner will do it in five minutes unless they run out of thread on the tie rods (unlikely)

Some alignment shops argue the point that if it came in crooked that's the way you should get it back which is just making an excuse for their aligners' lack of experience.

One shop in my area spent $1,200 over a three week period to find a young trainee who wanted to change tyres/align cars for a living. They received one phone call from a guy who didn't show up to the interview.

Most manual labour industry is not in good shape here in Oz (partly due to good unemployment benefits here in Oz) and a general unwillingness for youth to get their hands dirty. But that is an entire new thread........
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adki110
Posts: 35
Joined: 6 August 2009
Year and Model: XC90 2006
Location: Macon, GA or sailing somewhere

Post by adki110 »

Many moons ago when I did alignments "clear vision", better known as a straight steering wheel, was part of the alignment.

steelbox
Posts: 17
Joined: 21 April 2011
Year and Model: s-90 1998
Location: california

Post by steelbox »

precopster wrote:Easy fix, they turn the left tie rod one way and the right one the other way (depending on which way they want the wheel to go) This retains the correct toe-in. An experienced aligner will do it in five minutes unless they run out of thread on the tie rods (unlikely)

Some alignment shops argue the point that if it came in crooked that's the way you should get it back which is just making an excuse for their aligners' lack of experience.

One shop in my area spent $1,200 over a three week period to find a young trainee who wanted to change tyres/align cars for a living. They received one phone call from a guy who didn't show up to the interview.

Most manual labour industry is not in good shape here in Oz (partly due to good unemployment benefits here in Oz) and a general unwillingness for youth to get their hands dirty. But that is an entire new thread........
Thanks so much for this fix i will be armed with this info when i go there today,

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