Mis-aligned Steering Wheel Topic is solved

[CEBirnley]

1998 V70, Base, non-turbo, FWD.

I recently replaced the steering rack, outer tie rods, control arms, struts, and sway links (all on both sides of the vehicle). Upon putting everything back together, I noticed that my steering wheel now must be turned to the right nearly 45-60 degrees to allow my vehicle to drive straight. Any insight the Forum could offer would be greatly appreciated.

I have tried the following:
1. Removed and replaced the steering yoke on the steering rack shaft - because of the design of each, it is nearly impossible to mis-align the yoke and shaft.

2. Checked my torque values on the subframe and rack bolts.

3. Removed and replaced the bolt on the steering knuckle and steering wheel connection near the floor board.

4. I made sure that I counted the number of turns each outer tie rod needed to be turned when it was placed back onto the new rack.

5. When turning full LEFT and RIGHT, full LEFT stops about 15-20 degrees short of where full RIGHT stops on the steering wheel, e.g., full right stops at about 7:00pm and full left stops at around 9:00pm.


Thank you in advance for your assistance.

[j-dawg]

Do the turn signals cancel when the steering wheel is nearly straight or when the front wheels are nearly pointed straight?

[ThommyKent]

Alignment required after all the parts you replaced. You changed Castor angle when replacing the struts and your toe is off

[erikv11]

...

4. I made sure that I counted the number of turns each outer tie rod needed to be turned when it was placed back onto the new rack.
...

This doesn't work if the replacement parts happen to have different dimensions than what was in there. Sounds like that is the case.

It needs to get aligned anyway, but if you really want to you can DIY it and get it pretty close. I would just take it to a shop that can do a proper 4 wheel alignment.

Alignment required after all the parts you replaced. You changed Castor angle when replacing the struts and your toe is off

After the tie rods yes, after the struts no. There is no caster adjustment on these cars, and essentially no camber adjustment. You can swap struts without a need for alignment.

[misha]

Yep....alignment must be done everytime tie rods are disturbed.

[CEBirnley]

I agree on the alignment...ironically, it was the shop where I went to get an alignment that told me that my steering wheel was not aligned on the steering rack properly. He said it was probably a "a couple teeth off" on the steering rack and yoke engagement. I doubted myself somewhat...which is when I went back home and took the yoke off the rack and realized that it is virtually impossible to misalign the yoke and rack.

The turn signals seemed to cancel normally, admittedly, I didn't pay attention and took back roads to get to the shop (its only about 2 miles from my house).

[scot850]

The alignment shop will center the wheel (I'm assuming you didn't remove the steering wheel) and then should adjust the end-links to center the wheels to the steering wheel.

Neil.

[erikv11]

That's one inept shop. Like Neil says : center the wheel, then adjust the tie rods to put it in alignment. But you really want a 4-wheel alignment, so they should start with the rear wheels.

[CEBirnley]

Neil, you are correct Sir, I did not remove the steering wheel. I will be sure to inquire about the 4-wheel alignment as well. I did replace the rear shocks as well.

[scot850]

Rear shocks don't change alignment, but age takes it's tole on joints, but as far as the rear that shouldn't change, but a good alignment shop should check the whole package. It costs less than what it costs to replace a tire, so worth spending the money.

Neil.