Steering wheel off Center after alignment - non A/s
#1
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 101
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From: upstate, NY
My Ride: 530i n52
Model Year: 2006
The steering wheel was off a little to the right and I was told it would be centered after alignment. So, for $300 I had them do the alignment on my '06 530 sport non active steering. Now my steering wheel is off to the left. The tech who did the alignment wanted to got for a test drive with me so he could see what I'm talking about... At first, he said he might be able to pull it back just a little, then, he is telling me I have wide tires (which are oem rims and re050 runflats with little wear) and the road imperfections will cause the steering wheel to be off. The alignment is as good as it gets he sass, that everything is perfectly lined up and this is what the computer machine showed him to do when doing an alignment. Anyone else I take for a test drive will quickly point out which way the steering wheel is off. You know how the dash behind the steering wheel is slightly slanted down to the left, well, my steering wheel when going straight is a tad bit more slanted to the left than the dash. I look at the BMW roundel cross on the steering wheel to see where the center is. I might take a pic and post it later. Is it just an impossible task to have the steering wheel centered?
#2
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 83
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From: Dublin, CA
My Ride: 2004 (7/04) 545i 6-Spd Manual Metallic Silver Gray with Gray Interior
Premium Pkg, Premium Sound, Sport Pkg, Cold Weather, Active Steering, Navigation, Rear Sunshades, Folding Rear Seats, Rear Side Shades, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, Rear Heated Seats, HUD, Rear Side Airbags, PDC, Bluetooth Retrofit
Exterior: Venture Clear Bra, Bright Angel Eyes, Euro Reflectors, Blackened Grill, VMR 713 19" Staggered with General UHPs, 13% tint rear windows
Engine: K&N Air Filter, Deleted Carbon Filter , RPI Scoop, RPI Exhaust
He is BSing you.... Tell him to fix it if not talk to the service manager...
Originally Posted by ukr' post='861448' date='Apr 28 2009, 07:02 AM
The steering wheel was off a little to the right and I was told it would be centered after alignment. So, for $300 I had them do the alignment on my '06 530 sport non active steering. Now my steering wheel is off to the left. The tech who did the alignment wanted to got for a test drive with me so he could see what I'm talking about... At first, he said he might be able to pull it back just a little, then, he is telling me I have wide tires (which are oem rims and re050 runflats with little wear) and the road imperfections will cause the steering wheel to be off. The alignment is as good as it gets he sass, that everything is perfectly lined up and this is what the computer machine showed him to do when doing an alignment. Anyone else I take for a test drive will quickly point out which way the steering wheel is off. You know how the dash behind the steering wheel is slightly slanted down to the left, well, my steering wheel when going straight is a tad bit more slanted to the left than the dash. I look at the BMW roundel cross on the steering wheel to see where the center is. I might take a pic and post it later. Is it just an impossible task to have the steering wheel centered?
#4
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: upstate, NY
My Ride: 530i n52
Model Year: 2006
Let me understand this correctly, steering wheel leveling has no bearing on actual alignment of the wheels like toe etc.? So then the tech is BS'ing me about the alignment machine telling him where the center is?
#5
Originally Posted by leventor' post='861630' date='Apr 28 2009, 12:28 PM
He is BSing you.... Tell him to fix it if not talk to the service manager...
+1!!! You should be perfectly straight after an alignment, no questions asked. Especially with OEM wheels/tires combo!
#6
Wheel alignment has nothing to do with your steering wheel. The computer has no idea where your steering wheel is. The tech has moved one track rod end too much then compensated by moving the other putting you steering wheel off centre. They guy is a muppet. Get him to fix it, only a 10 min job for someone who knows what they are doing.
#7
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,025
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From: Sleaford, Lincs, UK
My Ride: E60 530d M-Sport
As Paul said, any half decent tech would straighten the steering wheel to centre first then adjust the steering arms to the correct length to adjust toe etc.....muppet x100
#9
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Chippenham, Wiltshire UK
My Ride: F11 535i M-Sport,, Silver, Black Leather, LED Adaptive headlights
Model Year: 2015
Engine: N55
Had the same problem after mine was aligned.
Took it back, they fixed it in 20 mins.
As stated, he must have had the wheel off centre when he set the tracking up.
Took it back, they fixed it in 20 mins.
As stated, he must have had the wheel off centre when he set the tracking up.