Steering Wheel Off Center After Steering Column Replaced

[ikac2000]

Hello,

On my Auris 2008, I had clicking steering problem. Toyota fitted new steering column, but after I picked car from service, steering wheel was slightly off center. It seems that they missed one teeth when connecting steering.

Service did not have working alignment equipment, so I went to best alignment shop in town, and did wheel alignment by correcting wheels.

Now steering is centered, but I see that it can turn more on the right side than on the left (it's slightly, but it goes on my nerves).

I would like to fix it, even by myself (I do not have any confidence in Mr.T service anymore), by disconnecting intermediate steering shaft on the floor, and compensate for one teeth, followed by new alignment (to return things back) and zero point adjustment.

Alternative is to disconnect steering wheel and rotate it for one teeth.

I am not sure if it will have same effect as intermediate steering shaft rotation. I guess wheel end position is defined by rack.

Do you think it can be fixed like described above?

Thanks...

[Jamesbelfast]

In my experience most splined steering couplings have a cross bolt that matches up with a slot in the shaft on the rack and it's either fitted right or its not otheerwise the bolt won't fit. That doesn't mean to say someone hasn't butchered it.

I strongly recommend you take it back to the dealer or another more reliable dealer if possible.

[Mooly]

I have thought over this in the past and this is how I understand it but please correct me if I am wrong.

The steering geometry has to be correct such that the car steers or runs true with no steering wheel input. That is achieved by making sure the track rod or tie rods are accurately set. If that then means the steering wheel is offset then that is corrected by altering the length (by adjustment) of each tie rod such that as one is lengthened the other is shortened by the same amount. That then means when the car is run in a straight line again that the wheel takes up a new correct position.

So looking at it another way you are altering the tie rods to match the position of the road wheels to the steering wheel which is fixed. When correct the steering wheel will be centered and the tie rods will have the road wheels on the straight ahead position.

Thats been my understanding of it but as I say if I am wrong then please say so...

I also recollect that on some later cars with electically assisted steering there is a position sensor for the steering wheel that has to be set (presumably via service tool) such that it "knows" when the wheel is in the straight ahead position. So thats another variable but it doesn't alter the direct and fundamental mechanical relationship between steering and road wheel.

The tie rods length also determines how far the wheel can be turned left vs right. If they are unequal the car can still run true but can be turned one way more than the other.

So ultimately you need somewhere that knows exactly what they are doing... and that should be Toyota.

[ikac2000]

Fact is that wheels were perfectly in line, so I would not touch tie rod ends. I have only rotated wheels.

Easiest way would be:

1. To remove steering wheel and move it back one teeth

2. To disconnect intermediate steering shaft and move it on eteeth.

Anyway, there should be re-lignment and steering zero point adjustment done.

Unfortunatelly, there are no reliable Toyota services where I live, so I will do it locally.

Thanks for your inputs...cheers

[UK Republic]

icac 2000 The first thing to do is phone customer services and explain the shoddy treatment you were given, the best way is to go to the dealers and ask them for the number and then use their phone to call them, and be sure to tell them that the dealership does not have working alignment equipment and that the shafts were not aligned properly because of poor workmanship and poor knowledge, explain that this will cause problems with indicator cancellation and parking because the front wheels will not correspond to the steering wheel position, don't do anything to the car yourself or if you have do not tell them, this will just give them an excuse to get out of the problem.

These dealers get rewards for good customer service and are penalised for bad service, make sure you tell them you are not going to be fobbed off and you will not stop until its done as it should be.

Junkmale.

[ormi]

you cant just move things a tooth and their is no master teeth either....you can damage the air bag reel......

also how far or how much more of a rotation is their...

[babaroga]

Gents

I think this is because VSC and also Auris has electric power steering and not hydraulic one - hence when alignment or anything is done on steering column, system has to be calibrated (zero point calibration). In example - if you do simple wheel alignment you need to calibrate power steering and yaw sensor to accommodate mechanical changes that have been made.

There was a TSB about it and how to calibrate. Attached