Wheel alignment - Steering wheel not straight

[spudboy]

Got some new tyres and had them aligned, as you do, but now the steering wheel is always to the right of straight ahead.

Took it back to Bob-Jane and showed them and they said I need to remove the steering wheel and put it back on a slightly different spline. They were not interested in doing this for me.

Now:
- Is this true for a start? I expected there to be an "under car" adjustment with some steering linkage thingy
- Shouldn't they do that when they align things?
- How do I get the steering wheel off a 2001 TD5 Defender 130?

Thanks as always,
David

[muddymech]

i think thats true, if its like my 92my defender flick out centre of steering wheel with screw driver undo big nut, pull off and re-align, have heard that they can be a pig to pull off but a bit of tugging mine came off ok.

[spudboy]

My whole steering wheel centre is one piece of plastic! Can't see any gaps to pry open with a screwdriver. Do I need to remove the plastic cover from behind somehow?

I have ordered the RAVE II CD (and one other Land Rover reference manual - can't remember what it was called) from Dave on EBay, so when they arrive I hope I can answer these sorts of questions myself!

[rick130]

acksherly (I did that just for Ron :D) there is a specific steering box and wheel centreing procedure in the workshop manual.

Firstly, to centralise the steering box the drag link is disconnected and the steering turned full lock to the left, then turned back exactly 2 turns. If you need to, remove the wheel and put on straight.
The drag link is then adjusted to 924mm between ball joint centres then refitted. If after taking it for a test drive the steering wheel is to the right, the drag link is too long, and if to the left, too short. Adjust the drag link so that the steering wheel is centred when driving in a straight line .

[spudboy]

This may be a stupid question, but is the drag link the one in front which connects to the steering mechanism, or the one behind which connects to both wheels?

[rick130]

My whole steering wheel centre is one piece of plastic! Can't see any gaps to pry open with a screwdriver. Do I need to remove the plastic cover from behind somehow?

<snip>

Defender steering wheel ?
If so, that plastic logo in the centre just pries out with a fine screwdriver.

[spudboy]

Actually - that was a stupid question. The one at the back would change the toe in/out, so it must be the front one.

[rick130]

This may be a stupid question, but is the drag link the one in front which connects to the steering mechanism, or the one behind which connects to both wheels?

the draglink is the front one, going from the steering box drop arm (pitman arm) to the hub.

[spudboy]

Thanks Rick - the logo does pry out (I just went out and had a go with my fine screwdriver). I thought it was a solid 'casting'.

Looks like I change it using the drag link adjustment anyway, so no need to remove the wheel now.

[PhilipA]

I suspect that they have incorrectly aligned your car if the steering wheel position changed so much.
I bet they gave it some toe in just like a car!!!
It is part of an alignment to centre the steering wheel. Insist that they do it.
Also ask for a copy of the printout that shows your front alignment. It should show 0-2MM toe out or the equivalent in degrees.
regard Philip A

[spudboy]

Tks Philip - I reckon I'll take it back again and get them to do it. I didn't get any print out, so I'm not sure what they set it to.

Found this straightforward procedure to set the toe out manually without any special equipment:
http://www.fag.hiof.no/~frodehaa/steeringalignment.htm

[JDNSW]

The other reason for the steering wheel not being centred is that the panhard rod bushes are worn or the steering box is loose - but this should not happen coincidental with new tyres. Can also be affected by worn or loose bushes on either front or rear radius arms, but there would be other symptoms as well.

[Ralf_the_RR]

Don't take the wheel off to re-align it.
This will alter your indicator cancelling thingy.

I'd take it back.

[rovercare]

The steering arm is from the steering box to the left swivel housing and that's where you'll adjust wheel centre, the indicator may be fine Early RR's had an indicator cancelling thingy spot welded on the column, so if moved the wheel your cancelling would be up the **** but later RR's Disco's and maybe defenders to! have the cancel jigger on the steering wheel itself so no adverse effects to the cancelling of your indicators will be noticed. but it is still not the right way of lining up your wheel regardless! it places the steering box of centre and in extreme cases you will lose opposite lock one way, i'd take it back to Bob jane and tell the ****ers to fix it and make a scene and yell and ****!!!! But that's me and i enjoy being a *****.

That is an excellent write up you found but and spot on.

[barney]

what can happen over time is that the linkages that make your steering column collapsable in a collision, can slip. this will cause your steering wheel to point anywhere but "north".
if you are getting full lock in both directions, (stop bolt to stop bolt), it would be a lot easier to adjust the steering wheel. when you loosen the nut holding it on, don't fully remove it. otherwise when the steering wheel finally lets go, it will break your nose, (personal experience).
back it off enough to allow the wheel to come off with out coming right off, give the spline a squirt with some WD40 (you know what i mean) and star thumping the back of the wheel towards you with your hands, a little at a time, until it pops off.
be patient with it

[George130]

With removing the steering wheel, it's easy to line it up strait push it on to find you have missed buy a spline or two. Very frustrating.

[barney]

Don't take the wheel off to re-align it.
This will alter your indicator cancelling thingy.

I'd take it back. it'll be cool ralf, it wont make a lick of difference

[DEFENDERZOOK]

another method of removing the steering wheel is to loosen the nut holding it on.....
BUT DO NOT remove the nut (or you may end up with a halo like princess di....)

then put the seat back.....one foot on the brake......one hand either side of wheel
and just wiggle it gently side to side as you put some body weight towards pulling it off.....
when it pops.....you will why it is so important to leave the nut on......


now that you know how to remove the wheel.....dont.....
just adjust the drag link and enjoy driving.......

[landrovermick]

I suspect that they have incorrectly aligned your car if the steering wheel position changed so much.
I bet they gave it some toe in just like a car!!!
It is part of an alignment to centre the steering wheel. Insist that they do it.
Also ask for a copy of the printout that shows your front alignment. It should show 0-2MM toe out or the equivalent in degrees.
regard Philip A


ffs i hate bllody bob janes - mate coming from the tyre industry - take it back to them make them do it again - tell them it is pulling and the wheel is off centre - landys are one toe adjustable.

if they cant get it right ask them politely for a refund and go elsewhere

they sure do know how to charge - so make them do the job right !

mick :D