1997 850 GLT steering wheel cocked to the right

[moses3]

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.

Neil, Even before I got the alignment, I had a problem with the turn signal arm hanging when I would make a right turn. I would have to manually turn it off. They did a four wheel alignment, they made adjustments to all four wheels, and they even adjusted the center part that connects the steering rack to the steering wheel. They gave me a printout showing me the numbers before and after.

Even after the alignment, my right turn stick would still hang. So that led me to believe that there must be some issue with the steering wheel or the clock spring. I opened up the steering wheel in the clock spring tonight, and I made some minor adjustments. Which corrected the signal stock. Now neither side hangs when I turn, they function normal. However, no matter how minut of a change I made in the clock spring the wheel would hang either to the right or to the left. I cannot get to sit in the center. And I was making very minute changes. It makes me wonder if something is broken?

[scot850]

Do you feel any play in the steering wheel when turning right or left? There could be play in the steering rack or one of the tie-rods. Even the shaft to rack connector knuckle can get play which will mean the steering wheel may be off slightly either way.

Often you can find a problem with steering wheel alignment where roads have a large camber. I was having problems with that on my Toyota and the dealer adjusted the alignment to a 'special' setting to get the steering to track straight with the camber and keep the wheel straight. If this is a case, find a stretch of rural road where you can see a long way, and try driving on both sides and see if that makes a difference.

Glad you found a way to get the turn signals to correctly switch off. Now the alignment needs to be set to that. Before doing an alignment get the alignment shop to check all the connections in the steering with the weight of the car on a drive on ramp.

Neil.