General steering wheel not straight

[clock34]

ok when i drive straight the wheel is about 30 degrese off to the left. so / like that instead of _ lol.

now when im not holding the wheel it drives straight, and my dad owning the car from brand new promises me its never been taken off. its tracked propperly and its not a problem,

i was just wondering how to straighten it up.
also worried abotu the air bag dont want to stop it from working with tampering haha.

 

[fingers99]

Now, either something is broken, or someone is telling fibs.

I'd get it tracked again. If that doesn't sort it (or a peek underneath doesn't reveal anything out of line), you're going to have to take the wheel off. Get a manual, open the windows, wear eye protection and ear defenders.

A tip from Alaina (who has replaced many steering wheels) is that you can't get "straight ahead" visually: you have to drive the car in a straight line.

 

[balidey]

If its had a new track rod end, or any work on the steering / suspension under the car it possible the track rod ends were wound on too much one side and not enough on the other. This isn't actually a problem, but it means the wheel is not dead ahead.

If this is the case you can loosen them, wind them in / out accordingly to get the wheel straight and then STAIGHT AWAY get the tracking re-done.

 

[kully]

My g/f's '98 Seicento has the same 'quirk'. The wheel is offset the same way as yours.

 

[rallycinq]

First you need to find the middle of the rack.

Do this by making sure there is exactly the same number of turns each way to reach the lock stop.

If the middle of the rack corresponds with the steering wheel in the centre position, then the tracking has been done the cheats way.

It is possible to set the tracking with the rack off centre. This is the esay way, not the right way to do tracking. This method results in the ackerman angle being incorrect, leading to iffy handling and strange tyre wear.

Both of you, get it sorted properly.

Cheers

D

 

[clock34]

ive had the car for a long time and its always been like this lol.

i dont understand it because none of what u said is apparent.

the tyres wear the same. and when im not holding the wheel it drives in a straight line.

it may have been tracked incorrectly in the past BUT as the tyres are wearing the same and the lock is the same both ways from the possition it is in does it really matter?

 

[adz182]

My cinq has the same thing . Although it is worse now i have fitted new sus arms on the front im guessing its just the tracking . Where is a good place to get the tracking done ???
Adz

 

[fingers99]

Both cars need tracking, preferably with laser equipment. £25 to £30 quid. Most tyre places do it.

 

[MiG]

if its 30 degrees off it sounds like the suspension is ****ed to me and you've bent a suspension leg somehow :devil:

 

[fingers99]

If it's tracking true, 30% isn't much.

 

[clock34]

suspension is fine all working well and nothing is bent, dad checked it over when i asked haha.

its not overly off straight just enough to look at it. and 30 degrese from 360 isnt even half of a quarter.

god knows. should probably just leave it.

 

[AppleSei]

you will get uneven tyre wear if you leave it

 

[clock34]

no this is what im saying, tyre wear is even. thats why i asked saying i couldnt understand it!

 

[fingers99]

For Christ's sake, for the sake of a few quid, do it. It's a safely issue, leaving Ackermann angles out of it for now, there will come a time when you need to know that when the wheel is straight the car is likely to go straight ahead. Why else do you think so many race and rally cars have straight ahead marked on the wheel?

 

[randomizered]

Could it not be something to do with this:

https://www.fiatforum.com/cinquecento-seicento/137850-brake-problems.html


Get your brakes sorted, and then sort the steering, happy car.


If you have multiple problems, all you can do is deal with them, and see how it turns out once you've done them.


Tracking £30....brakes may be a lot more, unless you do them yourself. Tracking is not a DIY job though.

Krisitan

 

[clock34]

fine ill get it tracked. but if i spend another £30 and it yet again sorts it i aint happy lol.

and brakes will be done this weekend. and all in all will be a perfect sei.

 

[randomizered]

and all in all will be a perfect sei.

 

[alainax]

A tip from Alaina (who has replaced many steering wheels) is that you can't get "straight ahead" visually: you have to drive the car in a straight line.

well rememberd!!