1997 850 GLT steering wheel cocked to the right

moses3 · Post by **moses3** » 31 Jan 2024, 15:53

I've had my 97 850 GLT for a year now, when I drive, the steering wheel has always cocked slightly to the right. Today I went and got a 4 wheel computerized alignment, and all 4 wheels balanced. The steering wheel still cocks slightly to the right, and the car wants to drift in that direction.

Front Control arms, inner and outer tie rods are all new. Thoughts?

Post by **scot850** » 31 Jan 2024, 17:04

Did the alignment shop not first set the steering wheel straight before doing the alignment as they are supposed to do?

You can straighten the wheel. It requires removing the air-bag (battery disconnected), unbolting the steering wheel bolt and then mark the straight ahead position with a marker or center punch mark at the top of the spline. Then move the the wheel by that number of splines.

One thing to watch. But first, do your turn signals cancel correctly on both sides? If not, someone may have remove the wheel and not put the small screw into the lock position before removing the wheel.

Neil.

moses3 · Post by **moses3** » 31 Jan 2024, 17:31

1. They told me that they adjusted the steering wheel. The write up shows it being off before alignment and fixed afterwards.

2. I have noticed that the turn signal doesn't cancel. I often have to cancel it myself. I don't remember which side has the issue, or maybe both.

moses3 · Post by **moses3** » 31 Jan 2024, 17:32

scot850 wrote: ↑31 Jan 2024, 17:04 Did the alignment shop not first set the steering wheel straight before doing the alignment as they are supposed to do?

You can straighten the wheel. It requires removing the air-bag (battery disconnected), unbolting the steering wheel bolt and then mark the straight ahead position with a marker or center punch mark at the top of the spline. Then move the the wheel by that number of splines.

One thing to watch. But first, do your turn signals cancel correctly on both sides? If not, someone may have remove the wheel and not put the small screw into the lock position before removing the wheel.

Neil.

1. They told me that they adjusted the steering wheel. The write up shows it being off before alignment and fixed afterwards.

2. I have noticed that the turn signal doesn't cancel. I often have to cancel it myself. I don't remember which side has the issue, or maybe both.

Post by **scot850** » 31 Jan 2024, 18:36

If the shop had corrected the steering wheel, the wheel would be correct. If they removed the wheel to make it straight without making sure the clock spring position was not disturbed then that would affect the point at which the turn signals switch off.

This will require the steering wheel to be removed, clock spring centered, wheel re-fitted straight, and then the wheels aligned from there.

Sloppy work was done!

Neil.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 31 Jan 2024, 21:34

.
The first thing to try is turn the steering left and right, lock to lock. Start with the steering wheel centered then turn. Did the steering wheel end up with equal turns meaning it ended up in the same position but on opposite sides.

If it does it means the steering wheel is centered and you have to check the specs for why it's drifting. It is too difficult to explain or do a write up on alignments. Sometimes you have center the steering on the rack by adjusting both outer tie rods to shift the steering wheel center while other times you have to remove the steering wheel.
.

Post by **850 LPT** » 01 Feb 2024, 07:32

Before going to crazy with this, here is another suggestion, since you mention that the car wants to drift in that direction.

Sometimes tires can make a car pull into a different direction. I have had this happen a few years ago and it kind of opened my eyes. I had my 98V70XC aligned at the dealer. After picking up the car it was still pulling ever so slightly to the right. Went back to the dealer and they checked it all again for free. After that, same issue. So the tech decides to go for drive with me to see what was going on. He confirmed the issue and offered a solution.
After getting back to the dealership they cross rotated the front wheels, luckily they were not directional. Went for another drive and all was perfect. I know for a fact that this can even happen with brand new tires, because it happened to me another time with a different car.

If your tires are non directional, try this out. If they are directional, you can swap with the rear and see if it solves the problem.

Good luck,

Dirk

moses3 · Post by **moses3** » 01 Feb 2024, 10:47

850 LPT wrote: ↑01 Feb 2024, 07:32 Before going to crazy with this, here is another suggestion, since you mention that the car wants to drift in that direction.

Sometimes tires can make a car pull into a different direction. I have had this happen a few years ago and it kind of opened my eyes. I had my 98V70XC aligned at the dealer. After picking up the car it was still pulling ever so slightly to the right. Went back to the dealer and they checked it all again for free. After that, same issue. So the tech decides to go for drive with me to see what was going on. He confirmed the issue and offered a solution.
After getting back to the dealership they cross rotated the front wheels, luckily they were not directional. Went for another drive and all was perfect. I know for a fact that this can even happen with brand new tires, because it happened to me another time with a different car.

If your tires are non directional, try this out. If they are directional, you can swap with the rear and see if it solves the problem.

Good luck,

Dirk

I've had similar experiences, but keep in mind I'm also having the hanging signal issue, so something is up with the steering wheel probably.

moses3 · Post by **moses3** » 29 May 2024, 16:32

scot850 wrote: ↑31 Jan 2024, 18:36 If the shop had corrected the steering wheel, the wheel would be correct. If they removed the wheel to make it straight without making sure the clock spring position was not disturbed then that would affect the point at which the turn signals switch off.

This will require the steering wheel to be removed, clock spring centered, wheel re-fitted straight, and then the wheels aligned from there.

Sloppy work was done!

Neil.

Neil, I've got the steering wheel taken apart. How do I center the clock spring? I don't see any center indicator, do I just guess?

Post by **scot850** » 29 May 2024, 19:00

OK, this may help. Below is our friend Robert DIY's video on removing and refitting a steering wheel. Take note on the order of removing the 2 Torx screws on the back of the wheel in relation to the airbag.

https://www.google.com/search?q=volvo+8 ... 5WZSc,st:0

At around 3.06mins, Robert makes reference to ensuring the clock spring is aligned using the small screw. As you can see the position is almost center of the cut out where that fits. The screw should be able to go through the clock-spring tab and into a locating hole to prevent mis-alignment on refitting. If the clock spring is aligned correctly you should be able to re-fit the steering wheel and make a good estimate on the wheel being straight by eye. It make take a couple of attempts to get it right. Be careful as there is a spring pin on the back of the wheel for the horn and it fits into a plastic cup on the clock-spring. Refit the steering wheel loosely, remove the clock-spring cable screw and jack the front wheels off the ground. Check that the turn signals click off at the right time (ie. evenly) when straightening the wheel to the straight ahead position. If it is doing that correctly then the wheel is aligned correctly to the clock spring and turn signals. Now if you are driving straight with the wheels on the road and the wheel is cocked left or right, the numpties that did the alignment did not lock the steering wheel when they did the alignment. You will then have to take it back and make sure they lock the wheel straight ahead and then adjust the 2 outer tie-rods correctly so the alignment is set to the steering wheel position and not the other way around.

Neil.