Steering Wheel Alignment

[dave335]

Quick question. I have a 325e with an M Tech 1 steering wheel. I can't seem to get it aligned straight despite numerous attempts. Always seems off center. Any tips?

Thanks

David

[88BlackS-ETA]

Someone might of removed the steering wheel and didnt put it back on centered.

[mr.vang]

You need to take the car for an alignment, then you can align the steering yourself.

[agent]

They should center the steering wheel before the alignment adjustments are made. Spend the $50 and get it done right.

[dave335]

The wheel has a lot of spindles so maybe it is off one or two? The car tracked perfectly straight before. I think the wheel is just off center!

[101]

You can definitely remove the wheel and experiment with clocking it a spline tooth or two at a time and see if you can get it centered yourself.

My method has a bit more to it:

1) Make sure that the steering wheel is centered with respect to the steering rack travel. What I mean by that is that when centered, the steering wheel turns exactly the same amount to full stop left and full stop right. Remove and clock the wheel as necessary to achieve this before doing anything else.

2) Once that is done, if the steering wheel is still off center, I'll get a string and shoot a straight line off each rear wheel and adjust the steering tie rods to bring each front wheel parallel with the rear wheel.

3) Then off to the pros for a "real" alignment.

You can skip step #2, of course, but I like to look at the tie rods and the condition of the tie rod boots so I can replace 'em if needed before I pony up the cash for the pro alignment.

[jalopi]

They should center the steering wheel before the alignment adjustments are made. Spend the $50 and get it done right.

shit man, where do you go to get good $50 alignments?? you have to spend $150 up here to get an actual alignment, $100 gets you the dude who changes oil all day to derp around with the machine for a bit and maybe get your front toe in

[jeffnhiscars]

Most of these responses assume some suspension or rack work has been done which would be valid. Since all I see is a concern aboutnthensteeing wheel being off center, it may be as simple as insuring your wheels are dead straight ahead and shifting the steering wheel a couple of splines.

[dave335]

Appreciate everyone's comments. Will try this out and see how it goes.

Thanks again.

[jlevie]

The right way to do this is to center the rack by measuring the extension of the rack shafts on both sides after removing the boots. Then place the wheel on the splines in a centered position. Finish by having an alignment shop adjust the tie rods for correct front alignment (with the steering wheel centered).

[agent]

shit man, where do you go to get good $50 alignments?? you have to spend $150 up here to get an actual alignment, $100 gets you the dude who changes oil all day to derp around with the machine for a bit and maybe get your front toe in

For less than $200 I bought a three year unlimited alignment plan for my E39 at NTB. Toe and go jobs for E30s can be found for $50 all day at pretty much any shop with a rack.

[TobyB]

I never bother with step 3- it's not like there's anything on an E30 that
can't be adjusted with 2 tape measures anyway...

t

[jlevie]

I never bother with step 3- it's not like there's anything on an E30 that
can't be adjusted with 2 tape measures anyway...

t

True, as the only adjustment is for front toe in the stock configuration. But having a four wheel alignment will tell if there are worn or damaged parts that are resulting in incorrect wheel geometry's.

[jalopi]

For less than $200 I bought a three year unlimited alignment plan for my E39 at NTB. Toe and go jobs for E30s can be found for $50 all day at pretty much any shop with a rack.

i don't know if you've every played around with an alignment machine before, but the nicer ones come with a remote. i've seen lazy "techs" "align" a car that had slight toe/camber issues by manipulating the heads on the wheels until everything was green and then using the remote to end the alignment.

IMO the big chain stores are a bit of a crapshoot, since they either have no one good because they don't pay shit or they have someone good that's about to quit because they don't pay shit. i've heard about some people having good luck with one of those "all you can eat" alignment plans while others have had nothing but horror stories. probably has alot to do with the people using the alignment machine

guess i also should've specified that if you have camber plates and trailing arm camber/toe adjusters on your e30 it's gonna cost you $150 to get a real alignment done