I did a search but couldn't find anything regarding this matter.

I just installed my stock steering wheel. I used to have a Momo one before. And now my stock steering wheel is off by about 20 degrees. Does this sort of thing happen normally?

 

u sure you iinstalled the wheel correctly?

 

I didn't install the wheel, some shop did it, and they said it was normal, but for some reason I don't really believe them, that's why I'm asking for your input.

 

It's very possible. When I replaced my stock wheel with a Momo it ended up being about 15 degrees off. When you install the wheel it's either straight or it's not; there is no adjustment in the steering column.

What you need to do if you want the wheel straight is get an alignment and have the toe adjusted so that the steering wheel is straight when the wheels are straight.

If you put the other steering wheel back on you will notice it will be 20 degrees off again, just due to the orientation of the splines on the steering column and steering wheel.

Justin

 

just drive the car straight and then stop and change the wheel you should be fine. aligning the front wheels will not work.

 

This information is incorrect.

Example: Take off a perfectly straight stock wheel and put on a Momo or other wheel and it may not be 100% straight. This was the case with my Momo. The reason was the splines on the new hub were not exactly in line with the splines in the stock wheel. No amount of re-installing the wheel will make it straight, period.

If you do an alignment and start with the steering wheel straight (which most alignment shops do), then you'll end up with a correct alignment and a straight steering wheel.

Justin

 

Just adjust your tie rods to bring the steering wheel back to center. No need for an alignment if it was fine before. that is after confirming that it cannot be corrected by trying different wheel orientations.

Assuming the above doesn't work here is what to do:

Let's say that while driving the wheel is off center to the left slightly. Imagine where the wheels are pionted for this next part. ok like i said the steering wheel is off to the left but the wheels are pointing striaght. Now, when stopped if you straighten out the steering wheel the tires will be pointing to the right slightly. So to straighten out the wheel (from underneath) you would elongate the right side steering rack end/tie rod and shorten the left side. You should start with a 1/4 turn and see where your at on a test drive. If its still slightly off just try another 1/4 turn. Easy to adjust, just loosen the lock nut and turn the rod/rack end.

Helpful hint: i usually use some white out to mark the postion of the rackend and tie rod. this way you know where you started from. HTH.

if ya run into any problems just send an IM.

 

Yeah Louie, this is exactly what I would do. That's what an alignment would do, too.

I neglected to mention this technique as the original post said he had a shop install a steering wheel for him; I assumed adjusting the tie rods would be beyond what that person wanted to/could do.



Justin

 

Anybody have any pics of this?

 

Snapped some pics so that things would make sense. Keep in mind that pics are of a nissan 240sx susp. but i think you'll get the idea. View is of the left front.

First shot is a general view of the left front spindle. tie rod end and tie rod, etc.

The part that has a boot looking thing with a castle nut and cotter pin through it (attached to the spindle/knuckle), is the tie rod end. this for the most part will remain stationary. The part marked with an "X" is the lock nut. The part marked with 4 dots is the tie rod. This is the part you will be turning.

So in relation to this photo and the tie rod end being the stationary object, turning the tie rod counter-clockwise lengthens the rod and clockwise shortens it. Again, make sure to mark the original position of the tie rod end and tie rod.

Hope this helps.

 

is that a s14?

 

nope.... S13.

 

I would not recommend adjusting the toe without being on a alignment rack. Toe for both sides needs to be within 1/8 of an inch from each other. A 1/4 turn can change the toe a lot.

 

Which is why you adjust both sides at the same time.