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After Lowering confusion
Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 11:09 pm
by mysteryboy
Hi all,
Got my car lowered today and the position of the steering wheel whilst going straight has changed.
As shown in diagram bellow:
Is it a common problem? Or do I need my wheels aligned or what?
As usual... any help is much appreciated...!!
Many Thanks.
Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 11:12 pm
by mysteryboy
Bigger diagram

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 11:12 pm
by wils0n86
get the tracking checked, they could have knocked the tracking out when lowering it. if not then the wheel can be reset by taking it off and straightening it up (although i have no idea how it is done, ive just seen it being done on mine!!) iirc there are screws behind the wheel which allows it to come off.
how low is the car now then? did you get your camber adjusted too?
Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 11:19 pm
by mysteryboy
wils0n86 wrote:
how low is the car now then? did you get your camber adjusted too?
-60mm. Camber not adjusted...could this be the problem?
To be honest I dont even know what tha camber is

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 11:22 pm
by ModifiedMadness
Camber is your wheels going from say, this
| |
to this
/ \
Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 11:24 pm
by wils0n86
Camber is the angle between the wheel and a vertical line. when the wheels tilt in the camber is-'ve, when they tilt out it is +ve. I dont think the camber will affect the positioning of the steering wheel, although i may be wrong. however, if the camber hasnt been adjusted you can expect uneven tyre wear and new tyres every 6months or so.
i think it may be the tracking mate, go back and get it checked, and get the camber checked and adjusted too if needs be.
Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 11:25 pm
by mysteryboy
Oh thought so...
Nah I dont have that problemo... (will double check tomorrow tho)
Would I need tracking & alignment to sort it?
Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 11:28 pm
by wils0n86
If the garage didnt take the steering wheel off it would put money on it being your tracking. If i were you i would get the tracking and camber double checked and adjusted if neccessary, think that will solve your probs then mate.
Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 11:32 pm
by mysteryboy
Nice one mate.... Appreciate the help.
Will get it checked at the weekend.
Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 11:34 pm
by wils0n86
no problem. i had the same thing with mine when i had it lowered, although the steering wheel wasnt as badly out as yours. anyway, it turns out they had caught the tracking rods. 10min job and it was all resolved!
Get the camber done too whilst its in

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 11:37 pm
by DScape
Aup dude, if you got it lowered and didn't have the tracking done afterwards....get it done!
Learn from my mistakes

left it for ages after dropping it on my coilovers, when I took my wheels off one day....they were bold all round the insides on the front 2 wheels...whoops.
You must always get the tracking done after lowering a car. I haven't had my camber done, but it's not been too much of an issue cause it seems to sit correctly anyway really so its been alreet!
Trackings not too dear, definately less expensive then 2 new tyres

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 11:37 pm
by polo69
I got a new tyre fitted for an MOT test and my steering wheel is now like yours

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 1:43 am
by OMEGASUPR3ME
my wheel has done this and its really annoying!
Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:01 pm
by ModifiedMadness
Well, usually when you have new wheels fitted they'll be tracked and balanced so you shouldn't have any trouble.