Steering wheel off centre

defender1007 · Jun 20, 2018

Hi had the track rod end replaced on my 97 300tdi and now the steering wheel is off centre by a small amount although steering and driving is spot on. Just steering wheel is off and hands not in their normal position. Ideas on why this has happened and how to fix

Kwakerman · Jun 20, 2018

Adjust the steering link that goes from the steering box to the hub (don't adjust the track rod which goes between both hubs)

agew · Jun 20, 2018

Or even ask the workshop that did it to do it properly.....? ;-)

Kwakerman · Jun 20, 2018

agew said:
Or even ask the workshop that did it to do it properly.....? ;-)

Good point!

dag019 · Jun 21, 2018

agew said:
Or even ask the workshop that did it to do it properly.....? ;-)

This one!!
When setting the tracking on a defender system it is important to centre the steering at the box, not to centre the steering wheel. Then once everything has been tracked up correctly with the steering box centred, if the wheel is then off centre it will need to be removed from the column and rotated until it is also straight.

jamesmartin · Jun 21, 2018

agew said:
Or even ask the workshop that did it to do it properly.....? ;-)

they often dont know that vehicles like landies with steering boxes need to have the box centered before all other adjustments are made

Clunkbucket · Jun 21, 2018

My issue is that the wheels are straight as is the steering wheel but the indicator cancelling thingy is not in the correct place, to the left it cancels almost immediately to the right I have to turn the wheel nearly 180 degrees! I guess I need to go back to basics and set the whole lot up with the exception of the track rod!
One question someone could answer for me, on an 1988 power steered 90, how much return to centre pressure should there be? Mine has very little and needs to be unwound out of a roundabout rather then letting it slip through the fingers as in most cars.

dag019 · Jun 21, 2018

Clunkbucket said:
My issue is that the wheels are straight as is the steering wheel but the indicator cancelling thingy is not in the correct place, to the left it cancels almost immediately to the right I have to turn the wheel nearly 180 degrees! I guess I need to go back to basics and set the whole lot up with the exception of the track rod!
One question someone could answer for me, on an 1988 power steered 90, how much return to centre pressure should there be? Mine has very little and needs to be unwound out of a roundabout rather then letting it slip through the fingers as in most cars.

Mine does not have much but you can feel it helping as you straighten up. You could fit a new steering damper to give more of a feel to the return to centre. But it is not necessary really. My series has nothing, you soon get used to having to actively steer back to straight.

jamesmartin · Jun 21, 2018

Clunkbucket said:
My issue is that the wheels are straight as is the steering wheel but the indicator cancelling thingy is not in the correct place, to the left it cancels almost immediately to the right I have to turn the wheel nearly 180 degrees! I guess I need to go back to basics and set the whole lot up with the exception of the track rod!
One question someone could answer for me, on an 1988 power steered 90, how much return to centre pressure should there be? Mine has very little and needs to be unwound out of a roundabout rather then letting it slip through the fingers as in most cars.

youd need to remove the steering wheel and reset or replace the cam ring fot the indicator switch,theres 2 pins on steering wheel have to locate into it
is suspension std or lifted ,is steering fairly tight

Clunkbucket · Jun 21, 2018

dag019 said:
Mine does not have much but you can feel it helping as you straighten up. You could fit a new steering damper to give more of a feel to the return to centre. But it is not necessary really. My series has nothing, you soon get used to having to actively steer back to straight.

Thanks for the reply. Yes you can feel it helping as you straighten up, and it is not really a problem. I actually took the steering damper off as I suspected it might be seized but it made little difference only the steering became lighter. If that's how it is I will just live with it.

Clunkbucket · Jun 21, 2018

jamesmartin said:
youd need to remove the steering wheel and reset or replace the cam ring fot the indicator switch,theres 2 pins on steering wheel have to locate into it
is suspension std or lifted ,is steering fairly tight

The suspension is std height but with 235/85 tyres. I would not describe the steering as tight, it has some play in it and is very light compared with a series, (one handed lock to lock stationary is no problem) I an running without a damper at the moment though.

agew · Jun 21, 2018

OP vanished .... so to follow the hijack briefly (with due apols) ............

There was a thread on indicator self-cancelling probs several of us have/had.

One conclusion I have yet to put to the test was that some found the actual stalk had bent over the years and was pre-loaded by the rubber gaiter on a right turn (seemed most common) the slight load going past the cancelling ring first time was enough to cancel the indicator, rather than waiting for the heavier load returning past it on straightening up.

Seemed very plausible (I've tried all else with the cancelling ring etc.) - but haven't had the Defender since to 're-shape' the stalk (it's away for some extensive renovation on other bits....!!).

JM may support or rubbish the theory??

I'll be giving it a shot when I get hold of the darned thing!! Cheers A

Steering wheel off centre

defender1007

Member

Kwakerman

Well-Known Member

agew

Active Member

Kwakerman

Well-Known Member

dag019

Well-Known Member

jamesmartin

Well-Known Member

Clunkbucket

Active Member

dag019

Well-Known Member

jamesmartin

Well-Known Member

Clunkbucket

Active Member

Clunkbucket

Active Member

agew

Active Member

Similar threads