QUESTION: Adjusting steering wheel on 02 WRX

[BD]

Hey, all.

The steering wheel on my 02 WRX is about 3 degrees off in its centering
when the vehicle is going straight. Since this has always been the
case, I'm guessing that it's just a case of slightly sloppy assembly or
some such, and that it can be adjusted.

Anyone know if such a thing is a user-friendly adjustment, or should a
dealer sort it out?

Thanks!

BD

 

[mulder]

Hey, all.

The steering wheel on my 02 WRX is about 3 degrees off in its centering
when the vehicle is going straight. Since this has always been the
case, I'm guessing that it's just a case of slightly sloppy assembly or
some such, and that it can be adjusted.

Anyone know if such a thing is a user-friendly adjustment, or should a
dealer sort it out?

Thanks!

BD

This can be corrected with a proper wheel alignment. The centering of
the wheel is adjusted via the tie rods. You could try it yourself, but
it's best to let an alignment shop do it on the rack so all the
settings can be checked and verified. Messing with the tie rods will
also affect the toe settings.
Also note that the steering rack bushings on the WRX are a bit on the
soft side, and as a result the wheel may not always be centered
especially right after a turn (this is referred to as "memory steer").
Also depending on whether you have stock or aftermarket wheels/tires
there may be some sensitivity to crowned roads.

 

[BD]

This can be corrected with a proper wheel alignment.

Thanks. I'll mention it at the next service point.

I'd be surprised if the alignment of the wheels were off - I'm noticing
no uneven tire wear...

 

[mulder]

Thanks. I'll mention it at the next service point.

I'd be surprised if the alignment of the wheels were off - I'm noticing
no uneven tire wear...

It's possible that everything else is ok, just that the physical
centering of the wheel is off. But it's important to have it adjusted
correctly so the wheel gets centered and nothing else changes.

 

[Here and There]

It's possible that everything else is ok, just that the physical
centering of the wheel is off. But it's important to have it adjusted
correctly so the wheel gets centered and nothing else changes.

I have owned 2 cars that had steering wheels not aligned with
the wheels when pointed straight ahead. Both were bought used
with unknown histories. I lived with one being tilted for the
entire time I owned the car.

One garage offered to 'centre' the wheel by removing the
bolts on the steering wheel and adjusting it, but the
shop who did a proper wheel alignment after getting
some suspension work done shook their heads when I told
them what had already been tried.

The problem is not that the wheels were out of alignment.
It is that the mechanic performing the alignment (after
work on the front end of the car) put the tie rods back
together without consulting the steering wheel, leaving it
off-centre.

I would be surprised if a car came from the factory
(especially Japanese) with the steering wheel mis-aligned.
It might be a sign of damage or defect which was fixed
before the car was delivered.

Other than cosmetics and some arguable ergonomic problems,
having the wheel tilted has no consequences. Although
maybe if there's an airbag, it might be a safety issue
in the case of deployment.

 

[BD]

having the wheel tilted has no consequences.

I agree. It is merely a question of placating my OCD.

 

[Michael Pardee]

One garage offered to 'centre' the wheel by removing the
bolts on the steering wheel and adjusting it, but the
shop who did a proper wheel alignment after getting
some suspension work done shook their heads when I told
them what had already been tried.

I did that to a Chevy I had when I was a kid. The steering wheel centered
just fine, but the turn signal canceling cams no longer agreed with the
wheel. I didn't notice that so much when the wheel was crooked, but with the
wheel straightened it was frustrating. Weird, huh?

Mike

 

[Michael Pardee]

Hey, all.

The steering wheel on my 02 WRX is about 3 degrees off in its centering
when the vehicle is going straight. Since this has always been the
case, I'm guessing that it's just a case of slightly sloppy assembly or
some such, and that it can be adjusted.

Anyone know if such a thing is a user-friendly adjustment, or should a
dealer sort it out?

Thanks!

BD

It can be done yourself if money is tight, but a professional alignment is
nicer.

There are two issues: centering and toe-in. The tie rods affect both - if
the rods are both adjusted inward 1/2 turn it will affect toe-in but not
centering, while if one is turned 1/2 turn in and the other is turned 1/2
turn out it will affect centering but not toe-in (much).

If you want to do it yourself, turn each tie rod 1/4 turn, one in and one
out. Check the centering and repeat the process, dinking with the direction
and amount, until the wheel is nearly centered. Then find a fairly
straight - not twisty - stretch of road, a mile or so long, and put a piece
of masking tape or duct tape across the tread of each front tire, sidewall
to sidewall. Drive a mile or so and look at the tape at the edges of the
tread. If the outer edges are worn the toe-in is too great; if the inner
edges are worn the toe-in is too small (actually toed out). Adjust until the
wear is zeroed out closely enough and the wheel is centered to your
satisfaction. If one tire is wearing at an edge and the other one doesn't
match (one inner and one outer, or one wears and one doesn't), you need a
real alignment.

Mike