Steering

[Phiber_Optik]

Hi All,

I have a 2004 Yaris Blue and have a question to ask about the steering.

When I drive in a straight line the cross bar on my steering wheel is not straight it is slightly to the right. I have had the alignment etc checked and everything seems to be fine.

Someone suggested that the steering wheel might never have been put on the spleen correctly.

Also, the car was left for a long time without the Battery connected, I think I read somewhere that if u are disconnecting the Battery to reset the ECU you should make sure your steering is straight... something to do with the sensor?

I hope someone can shed some light on my problem.

P.S I am the second owner, the car has been like that since I bought it and the car never been in an accident.

Many Thanks.

[ooch12]

Out of interest does your car steer straight when you let go of the wheel? My girlfriend has a T-Sport and the steering wheel is slightly misaligned to the left. Tracking is fine but the car has always pulled left. Toyota said that the misaligned steering wheel causes the pulling. I think this is utter rubbish. They said they could fix it for £110 as it isn't covered by the warrenty

[forde]

my steering wheel isnt on straight either, but nothings wrong.

when you let go of the wheel in almost any car it will pull to the left or right slightly. this is due to the camber of the road, tyre pressures, uneven surfaces, whatever. motorways and stuff are cambered very slights to the left so if you fall asleep you dont go into oncoming traffic! anyway the point is you wont find many roads that are perfectly flat smooth and straight so that the car would sit perfect if you let go of the wheel.

[Phiber_Optik]

Hi Again,

If I am driving in a straight line and let go of the wheel the car will carry on driving straight, it does not pull to the right or he left while driving.

What the problem is, is for me to drive in a straight line, my steering well is not straight (think of the cross bar on the steering wheel sitting at an angle to the right) The car drives straight and does not pull.

If I put my wheel straight the car goes to the left (more so than what the camber of the road would effect it)

I have had my alignment and tracking checked and they are fine.

Would there be any possibility this could have happened at some point while the Battery was not connected (to do with the sensors on the ECU resetting.)

Or if toyota has put my steering wheel on to the spindle wrong?

[gar]

Hi Again,

If I am driving in a straight line and let go of the wheel the car will carry on driving straight, it does not pull to the right or he left while driving.

What the problem is, is for me to drive in a straight line, my steering well is not straight (think of the cross bar on the steering wheel sitting at an angle to the right) The car drives straight and does not pull.

If I put my wheel straight the car goes to the left (more so than what the camber of the road would effect it)

I have had my alignment and tracking checked and they are fine.

Would there be any possibility this could have happened at some point while the battery was not connected (to do with the sensors on the ECU resetting.)

Or if toyota has put my steering wheel on to the spindle wrong?

I would suggest the wheel is mis-alighned. Get someone who knows how to deal safely with airbags, to remove and re-alighn it properly. The job will only take ten mins but the airbag must be dealt with properly or it may deploy!

(It can be done at home but I would rather pay someone (like Toyota) to do it properly.... They will be liable if it does go off and will have to pay for the new airbag and fitting, etc)!

[Phiber_Optik]

Thanks for that advice Gar, I will see what Toyota can do for me, it does not effect the way I drive its just annoying to know my wheel isnt straight.

Thanks for everyones reply.

[moonstone mart]

Hi Again,

If I am driving in a straight line and let go of the wheel the car will carry on driving straight, it does not pull to the right or he left while driving.

What the problem is, is for me to drive in a straight line, my steering well is not straight (think of the cross bar on the steering wheel sitting at an angle to the right) The car drives straight and does not pull.

If I put my wheel straight the car goes to the left (more so than what the camber of the road would effect it)

I have had my alignment and tracking checked and they are fine.

Would there be any possibility this could have happened at some point while the battery was not connected (to do with the sensors on the ECU resetting.)

Or if toyota has put my steering wheel on to the spindle wrong?

I would suggest the wheel is mis-alighned. Get someone who knows how to deal safely with airbags, to remove and re-alighn it properly. The job will only take ten mins but the airbag must be dealt with properly or it may deploy!

(It can be done at home but I would rather pay someone (like Toyota) to do it properly.... They will be liable if it does go off and will have to pay for the new airbag and fitting, etc)!

Dont bother with splines etc on the steering wheel. This is nonsence :D

When you had your alignment checked the settings could be perfect but the steering wheel be upside down! The alignment place could have easily sorted the steering wheel for you by locking it in position and adjusting the track rod ends (this is how it is done and very easily!) This will straighten the steering wheel and the alignment will still be fine.

No need for steering wheel/airbag removal.

Mart.

[forde]

phiber, what i was saying was that if you let go of your steering wheel and your car pulls hard left or right, then there is something wrong.

If your car is driving fine but your steering wheel isnt on straight, it doesnt matter. Mine isnt on straight either. Most steering wheels are slightly out but its ok. I wouldnt bother getting it "fixed" since theres nothing wrong and it would be a waste of money and time.

[Blue84]

Another Blue owner here - it isnt perfectly straight either on both of the Yarii - nothing to worry about at all, it does feel a bit odd to begin with but now we dont even think of it.

[Phiber_Optik]

Cool, thanks for your replies. It doesn't bother me in the slightest when im driving, just thought it was a little strange. Learnt to live with it like others have said.