alignment

[norcalcobra]

I took my GT500 in to get an alignment after getting PS4s put on. Couple of weeks later I notice the steering wheel is not centered, twisted to the right about 20 degrees when car is going straight. Took car back to Ford, where it was aligned, and said not sure if i messed up alignment, think i need another one.
They checked said it was right on spec.
My question is: Is straightening the steering wheel part of the alignment procedure? It is very annoying driving on the freeway and constantly trying to adjust because steering wheel looks like i am turning the car.

 

[Norton]

Straightening the wheel is definitely part of the alignment process. One of the first steps is "locking" the wheel in the centered position, after which alignment adjustments are made. The fact that yours isn't centered means they didn't do it right.

 

[Snoopy49]

+1
Check out steps 1 & 2.

 

[norcalcobra]

Thank you gentlemen. I was thinking bad thoughts, sell Shelby by lexus coupe. I don't want to beat up on my local dealership, they treat me well. But this seems basic stuff, wheel should be centered. As for the asymmetrical steering response, well that might be a direct cause from toe adjustment? I am not an expert but I can learn just like the rest of us. I cant believe I am this sensitive abut this car. What and when did this happen? lol

 

[fearthesnake]

Thank you gentlemen. I was thinking bad thoughts, sell Shelby by lexus coupe. I don't want to beat up on my local dealership, they treat me well. But this seems basic stuff, wheel should be centered. As for the asymmetrical steering response, well that might be a direct cause from toe adjustment? I am not an expert but I can learn just like the rest of us. I cant believe I am this sensitive abut this car. What and when did this happen? lol

I would demand my money back. Basic 101 Alignment failure on their part. If they dont want to make good on their part take it to Social Media. Smear campaign can do wonders to hurt a business. Write unfavorable reviews on their site as well.

Just an aside, all your tire pressure psi are the same?

 

[norcalcobra]

all fours 36-37 psi. I will see what they say today. But i have a feeling that I have been put on low priority.

 

[Dinosgt]

all fours 36-37 psi. I will see what they say today. But i have a feeling that I have been put on low priority.

I believe a car can technically be 'in alignment' while the steering wheel is off centered. (I.e. the toe, camber, and caster are all in spec.)

But as pointed out - aligning center on the wheel is step one in the process, something that someone missed. Once the wheel is set, toe will have to be reset to track straight.




Sent from my iPhone using the svtperformance.com mobile app

 

[norcalcobra]

Service reported they spent hours trying to figure it out. Taking it back on tuesday, they will hook the gear box up to a computer and test it. They also said the steering rack might be bad. Told me new rack is 1000$, i informed them I have the evp extended warranty. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Wondering if one of the struts is going bad. I dont really know how the track pack electronics play into this if at all. Does anyone know how many sensors and location of them?

 

[Norton]

Service reported they spent hours trying to figure it out. Taking it back on tuesday, they will hook the gear box up to a computer and test it. They also said the steering rack might be bad. Told me new rack is 1000$, i informed them I have the evp extended warranty. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Wondering if one of the struts is going bad. I dont really know how the track pack electronics play into this if at all. Does anyone know how many sensors and location of them?

If the wheel was straight and you didn't have any symptoms of damage before you took it in, I'd bet they simply did a poor job locking the wheel straight before aligning it. IMHO, that's MUCH more likely than the other scenarios here.

 

[PaxtonShelby]

It amazes me how many dealer service departments are complete hacks.

 

[Clemson]

It amazes me how many dealer service departments are complete hacks.

Bingo. I was scared to death just to have the damn airbag recall done. Pathetic we have to feel this way about dealerships.

 

[heatsoaked12]

I know this is going to sound bad on my part. I also had ford do an alignment on my 12 and had the steering wheel a little off center. I didn't want to go back to the dealer and my car ran perfectly straight so I loosened off the tie rod end nuts and adjusted the tie rods in equal amounts then tightened and road tested. I repeated until my steering wheel was straight. I adjusted each tie rod end in on one side and out on the other about a 16th of an inch at a time. It worked perfectly. I've gone over 120 mph in the quarter perfectly straight on the throttle and hard on the breaks also. Attempt at your own discretion of course.

 

[tomshep]

heatsoaked--good job! I would do that as opposed to a dealer.

OP--they adjusted your toe on ONE side only. So, it is in spec from a wheel perspective. Problem is, by adjusting on just one side, they moved the steering wheel off center. As stated, this is extremely basic stuff. Go see the Service Manager to get it corrected.

Tom

 

[norcalcobra]

I picked my car yesterday after dropping it off to get the steering wheel centered. They performed another alignment and wheel is still skewed to the right. I ask why they did another alignment if the alignment check did not call for it. They said the wheels were slightly out of alignment. I ask what the specs were they could not provide that info. I ask why would i pay twice for an alignment if the steering wheel is still not centered. I remained calm. The service guy was real unsure of himself voice was cracking and he did not know any answers to simple questions. Is the steering wheel straight? I am not sure, the tech said its the best he can do. I asked why would you sell me a service that you are unsure of? no reply. So I took the service guy for a ride held the steering wheel straight car goes left.
I attached alignment results from initial alignment and follow up alignment. I am unsure the second alignment was needed but I am no expert.
I just want the steering wheel to be straight, is this too much to ask? I will take any advice on how to proceed.
Thanks,

 

[fearthesnake]

I picked my car yesterday after dropping it off to get the steering wheel centered. They performed another alignment and wheel is still skewed to the right. I ask why they did another alignment if the alignment check did not call for it. They said the wheels were slightly out of alignment. I ask what the specs were they could not provide that info. I ask why would i pay twice for an alignment if the steering wheel is still not centered. I remained calm. The service guy was real unsure of himself voice was cracking and he did not know any answers to simple questions. Is the steering wheel straight? I am not sure, the tech said its the best he can do. I asked why would you sell me a service that you are unsure of? no reply. So I took the service guy for a ride held the steering wheel straight car goes left.
I attached alignment results from initial alignment and follow up alignment. I am unsure the second alignment was needed but I am no expert.
I just want the steering wheel to be straight, is this too much to ask? I will take any advice on how to proceed.
Thanks,

Im sorry to hear and I dont have much to offer other than take it to someone else that has a good reputation in your area for alignments.

Clearly, this dealer has no clue and I doubt you will get it fixed correctly.

I would write a complaint to the GM, request a refund and let them know they have lost your business.

 

[_Satch_]

My alignment shop (not a Ford Dealer) had a hell of a time getting my steering wheel perfectly straight too... First thing they do is to LOCK the wheel in the level position, then do the alignment. It always would end up about 5 degrees off of level when driving straight. Took it back twice to get it adjusted... It's still not perfect, but it's damn close. Mine was always off in the clockwise position. My car is lowered with full BMR k member and a-arms.
-Satch

 

[Black Thunder 715]

all fours 36-37 psi. I will see what they say today. But i have a feeling that I have been put on low priority.

36-37 PSI is too much IMHO. At that pressure, the tires will begin to wear out more in the center and less on the corners. I have been running mine at 33 PSI in the front (stock size) and 32 PSI in the rear (295/35/20) and they have perfect even wear pattern. My .02 cents.

 

[norcalcobra]

Can I align the steering wheel myself? Can the wheel be removed from the steering shaft and realigned? Looking for any ideas or proven procedure to perform.

 

[tomshep]

NO! Don't mess with the steering wheel.

If you want to adjust the wheel, you can do it through the tie rods. Basically, you would turn one side a certain amount, say 1/4 turn out, and then the other side a 1/4 turn in. That way you have not changed the direction the wheels point but the wheel has rotated or is clocked slightly different.

Tom

 

[Black Thunder 715]

NO! Don't mess with the steering wheel.

If you want to adjust the wheel, you can do it through the tie rods. Basically, you would turn one side a certain amount, say 1/4 turn out, and then the other side a 1/4 turn in. That way you have not changed the direction the wheels point but the wheel has rotated or is clocked slightly different.

Tom

+1. I don't recommend removing the steering wheel. You have to take into consideration that there's an air bag in there plus other variables that could go wrong. You can try doing it yourself but without a computerized alignment, you'll never know how accurate it would be once you start messing with the tie rods.