Wheel alignment - Steering wheel not straight

**spudboy** · 19th May 2006, 04:53 PM

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** · 19th May 2006, 05:48 PM

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** · 19th May 2006, 06:14 PM

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** · 19th May 2006, 06:14 PM

acksherly (I did that just for Ron

) 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** · 19th May 2006, 06:16 PM

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** · 19th May 2006, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by 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?

<snip>

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

**spudboy** · 19th May 2006, 06:18 PM

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** · 19th May 2006, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by 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?

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

**spudboy** · 19th May 2006, 06:23 PM

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** · 19th May 2006, 07:18 PM

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

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