Good day folks,

I wanted to see if this sounded sketchy to anybody.

Vehicle: 1996 Honda Civic DX hatchback
Problem: Some chucklehead attempted to steal the car and bent the steering column in the process.

I took the car to a local shop. The price for replacement appeared reasonable from my research. When I got the car back, the steering wheel was pretty out of alignment. When the wheels were straight, the steering wheel was turned approximately 45 degrees counterclockwise (essentially the 10 o'clock position).

When I asked about this, the mechanic told me that the problem was the the steering column I received had a different connection into the vehicle than the original, so it had fewer "slots" to line up to. His alignment machine was currently down, but he wants me to bring it in to align the wheels to match up. This sounds pretty strange to me, but I do not have the knowledge to ascertain whether or not I am getting a line (or even if what they did is safe).

Additionally, my SRS light is now on. The obvious concern being that I have no idea if the airbag is even operational.

I currently have the car in hand. Can anybody give me some feedback on whether or not this is on the level? And is there an easy way for me to ascertain whether or not the airbag is hooked up correctly and/or operational?

 

The steering wheel can easily be removed and reoriented properly.

The SRS computer can be reset to clear the code. If the code returns after the reset, then pull the SRS code to pinpoint the issue. Click the codes link in my signature.

The mechanic is full of baloney. Take it back to him and tell him to do the job correctly. If he balks, ask for a refund.

 

Where did you get the steering column? From what yr civic?

 

Thanks for the responses, folks.

As to the steering column, the mechanic ordered it. He *told* me that it was from a 96 Civic.

In retrospect, I am thinking that he may have installed a steering column that is not fully compatible (hence his description that the connectors were different). I am definitely out of my depth on this, so feel free to treat me as a novice.

Is there an easy method for me to ascertain the year for the steering column?

Once again, many thanks.

 

The steering wheel can be fix, but the issue is did he straighten out the rack before installing the new column. You can argue with him and get him to straighten it out or else end up having the alignment shop handle that.

 

I have never removed a Honda steering column but I have done other vehicles, so this may or may not be true here...

If the new steering column doesn't have the same amount of grooves, then there's no way it will fit over the lower spindle - it just wont. This is pretty obvious. How was he able to get the grooves to match?

Seems to me like he didn't install it correctly and its now coming up with bs excuses. An alingment will "fix" the problem but you are not really fixing the source of the issue. Your tires will be lined up with your steering wheel, but again, this is a band-aid after the fact.

As far as the SRS light, did he reinstall your old steering wheel and airbag? Clear the code and see if it comes back. If it does, see if it's caused by the driver's airbag. If it is, check to make sure it's connected - maybe he forgot to plug it back on. If it's connected, he may have screwed it up when removing/installing it...

 

If the airbag light is on (other than for a few seconds when starting the car for the bulb check) the airbags will not deploy (this is true for any vehicle)

As for the wheel being off center, the column, or the rack, or both weren't centered when the new column was installed. It's really hard to get them exact, and sometimes it will take a wheel alignment to get it perfect, but it should be close. If it was way off when installed the clockspring/cable reel for the horn and airbag can be too short to turn all the way in one direction ripping the ribbon cable inside which will put the SRS light on.

 

Not sure why you think the problem could not be as simple as the steering being installed out of alignment with the wheels. In my mind, this is the simplest explanation and should be checked first.

 

Your mechanic doesn't know how to install a steering rack. Unfortunately, it's that simple. Find a new mechanic, or just pick up a FSM and learn to do it yourself - it's pretty easy, mentally, just time consuming.

 

Again, why is this necessarily a miss-installation of the rack as opposed to incorrect alignment of the steering wheel? Am I missing something? I've replaced 3 Civic racks.

 

Even if it was just an incorrect steering wheel alignment, would you really trust a mechanic that can't be bothered to try to get it at least close? Or a mechanic that lets a car leave the shop incomplete? That's just sloppy work, no matter how you look at it.

 

Agreed

 

I don't think its a mis-installation of the rack, but a badly installation of the column and wheel.