Thread: Is steering wheel centered in standard 4-wheel alignment?

Quote: Originally Posted by shokwaves Steering wheels for the most part are designed to be centered to allow clear view of all the instruments. This is true, but if a steering wheel is centered on a non-centered rack (one tie rod is significantly longer than the other) the Ackerman effect built into the steering geometry will get screwed up. This leads to one wheel steering faster than the other when you turn the steering wheel which is...

Quote: Originally Posted by buzzy Here's what the Lotus Service Manual has to say: Steering Wheel Alignment Ideally, the steering wheel should align in the straight running position, with the steering rack centralised and with equal track rod lengths. In practice, a minor compromise to track rod lengths may have to be made. To arrive at the optimum setting, proceed as follows: Note that only one splined joint in the steering system...

Here's what the Lotus Service Manual has to say: Steering Wheel Alignment Ideally, the steering wheel should align in the straight running position, with the steering rack centralised and with equal track rod lengths. In practice, a minor compromise to track rod lengths may have to be made. To arrive at the optimum setting, proceed as follows: Note that only one splined joint in the steering system allows a choice of position, this being...

Quote: Originally Posted by apk919 +1 Whenever I check my front toe, I always make sure the steering wheel is perfectly centered (I hold a level up to the horizontal lines on the airbag cover). Then I check both the individual toe of each front wheel and the total toe. If I need to make a toe adjustment, I adjust each track rod so that the individual toe is as close to symmetric as possible. The result is that my steering wheel is perfectly...

by the way, the guy at the alignment shop also said that the car was aligned perfectly now, and I drove it pretty hard through the canyons on the way home. It felt great, just looks silly and its driving me crazy.

If you get it aligned someplace like Sears or Walmart... well let's just say you get what you pay for. __________________ 2006 McLareghini Bugatterrari, Storm Titanium... <mods> installed : air horn, Scroth 4-point ASM harnesses, Sector111 halon extinguisher and mounting bracket, Von Hep exhaust and rear panel delete, Pagid brake pads, red Volks CE28n wheels, Toyo RA-1 tires, Nitron SA coilovers, Sector111 (WorksBell)...

I wouldn't expect anyone to do it unless you call it to their attention. __________________ Tracy 1996 Porsche 993TT 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser LOG 29 photos

Steering wheels for the most part are designed to be centered to allow clear view of all the instruments.

I have an '05 Elise that has a steering wheel that is not centered. The natural position is at 1 or 2 o'clock. Will this be corrected if I go in for a standard 4-wheel alignment?

Quote: Originally Posted by LotusLamberti So I installed a Titan QR with a friend of mine who is a long time Audi mechanic. We followed the manufacturer instructions, but my friend wasn't too concerned with keeping the steering wheel taped in a centered position. I taped it but between crawling under the the wheel and all the getting in and getting out we moved it a little. When we lowered the car from the lift and drove it the wheel was...