Ghetto alignment

[Naplm00]

Well I replaced my rack over the weekend.

Last time i replced the rack I had a friend hold the steering wheel after I got the rack centred.

Well this time i didnt and tried to use th steeing lock instead...

Long story short my car tracks perfectly straight but th stering wheel is now turnd 15 or so degrees to the right when the car is traveling straight.

Can I just take off the steering wheel and recenter it on the shaft?

I plan on getting an alignment this week, but dont want to go there with the steeint this far off, I also have NO desire to readjust the steering knuckle

[e30:)]

yeah you can just pop it off and move it to the center

[Nic01101011]

thats not the same as an alignment.. but yeah you can just pop it off and center it. you can set the toe using a long string and a ruler.

[blueapplesoda]

you can pop off your steering wheel off only if your wheel turns the same number of times when you turn it from center to left, then center to right. If its not, then you have to adjust the tie rods evenly to get your steering wheel to go straight.

[Naplm00]

yea LTL it is even, but the wheel is off

[884door]

If you have even turns lock to lock I see no reason not to just pop the wheel off and recenter it.

[Naplm00]

thats what i was thinking, just makin sure

[whodwho]

The wheel is centered for the rack being centered unless you moved it last time and should be centered by adjusting the tie rods.

Just move the tie rods equal amounts like 1/4 turn at a time or if you having the alignment done let them center it properly.

[txtorquemade]

What rack did you swap into it. If not stock ( like a e36 or sumptin) that might account for the little bit of difference in your steering wheel.

Think Id just pop steering wheel off and line it up. Or be sure and go get an alignment first. Truly, you probably ought to anyway... yanno.

[Naplm00]

I used a euro variable ratio manual rack. It is the same exacct length as a normal e30 rack. SO in therory I should not have to adjust the tierod ends.

When I replaced the rack I didnt center the steering column properly when replacing the knuckle...the rack itself is aligned correctly and tracking perfectly straight.



I just anted ot make sure that hte steering column didnt have a turn limit in either direction INDEPENDENT of the rack or being attached to the rack...and it doesnt seem so.

[mikeedler]

I used a euro variable ratio manual rack. It is the same exacct length as a normal e30 rack. SO in therory I should not have to adjust the tierod ends.

not true even a little bit. there are a million different things that make that rack NOT in allignment on your car. and that it is a variable ratio rack-- to correctly allign it there is a notch where the shaft meets the rack-- you need to line that up otherwise it will change ratios at different points from left to right.
just bring the car to a shop and have it alligned correctly-- the 50 dollars is worth it.

[Tbolt]

anyone know the size of the bolt in the steering rack? i have the standard steering wheel that comes with iS (non-airbag) mtechI i believe

i tried a 21mm but it was too small..22mm maybe?

[Naplm00]

yea its 22

[Naplm00]

not true even a little bit. there are a million different things that make that rack NOT in allignment on your car. and that it is a variable ratio rack-- to correctly allign it there is a notch where the shaft meets the rack-- you need to line that up otherwise it will change ratios at different points from left to right.
just bring the car to a shop and have it alligned correctly-- the 50 dollars is worth it.

Yea i figured this and had the rack centered and the notch aligned ith the mark on the shaft and the rubber boot


when I meant not adjust, I mean the length, they tirrods measured out to be the same distance from the rack ends when inserted as the power rack.


I'm goin for an alignment tomorrow