Crooked Steering Wheel

[robsnell]

Just purchased a 2nd hand 04 plate 182 after selling an 03 172

The steering wheel is off at about 5 degrees.
Had a similar problem with the 172 when it was new but got it sorted under warrenty.
Took it to the local Renault dealer to have it checked out and to change wheels front to back (even out the wear), I thought if the steering wheel needed taking off and adjusting on the splines I would rather a dealer did it.

On collecting the car I was informed that the tracking was OK but they could do nothing to sort the steering wheel alignment.
Was told the steering wheel has a master spline so it cannot be moved around a notch, and that the wheels cannot be adjusted to straighten the steering wheel as it will cause uneven wear on the front tyres??
I'm ok with the first reason, but surely there is adjustment to sort the steering wheel out.
Also not sure why the previous owner didn't tak it back when they bought it new, to complain, try driving a car with a crooked steering wheel for 13k miles, it would drive me insane. Thought it might have somthing bent or twisted in the steering, but everything checked out OK.

Fortunately I left without paying the bill, the dealer said they would call tommorow and tell me if anything can be done.

Any help, advice or simple fixes would be appreciated. Might take it to the local Tyre fitters see what they think

 

[Christopher]

the column has a master spline. so nothing can be done that end.

get your car laser-tracked and they should set your steering up as well as your tracking (camber is not adjustable on your car)

should solve it for you.

normally about £30-£40.

 

[john.med]

my mk2 172 is the same; off a few degrees counter clockwise - had the tracking checked at main dealers on fri when serviced - nothing wrong, tracking was bang on! Wheel still looks wrong though. WEIRD

 

[andyhunt2005]

My 04reg 1.2 is the same, off a few degrees but mine is clockwise. mine only came to be this way when the laser allignment was done?

 

[browno]

Yup, my 182 is same, although it's got better (or maybe I don't notice as much?) with age...

 

[john.med]

ya my mistake; mine's clockwise too

 

[Christopher]

remember, all the joints are on rubber bushes.

rubber moves.

and it's french. i just put up with mine being a bit off.

 

[robsnell]

Thanks for confirming my thouhts Carbon Copy.
Local Renault dealer hasn't got Laser tracking, so they were going to use a local garage to do the job for them.
If the wheel was just a bit off I could live with it, but mine seems about 5 degrees off (pointing to 1 o'clock), It's a bit much for me to live with.
That's why I thought something was bent or twisted, but thankfully not.
Will inform you if I find a fix after Laser Tracking.

 

[Tiimyboy]

Hi,

I have just purchased a 172 on an 03 plate and my steering points to 1 o'clock when driving straight. I have had the tracking checked using lasers and all is fine. My car pulls to the left when the wheel is held at twelve o'clock, I have had everything checked and nothing is bent, but the car car feels extremely weird when braking. the steering wheel pulls lef but car goes right, I also have a really bad creaking sound from the left front side. I have had the brakes checked and they are not binding so this eliminates a binding caliper. Any Ideas, I don't even like driving the car at the moment!!!

Cheers Tim

 

[edde]

Best idea to get tracking done is a back street garage with not the most advanced tools. Most delaerships with all the lazers in the world cannot track a car for toffee I can do a better job with a set of verniers and string.

I'd never take a car to a main delaer to get tracked. Few know what there on about its not difficult to do just difficult do do correctly with soem sort of attention to detail.

I have just purchased a 172 on an 03 plate and my steering points to 1 o'clock when driving straight. I have had the tracking checked using lasers and all is fine. My car pulls to the left when the wheel is held at twelve o'clock, I have had everything checked and nothing is bent, but the car car feels extremely weird when braking. the steering wheel pulls lef but car goes right, I also have a really bad creaking sound from the left front side. I have had the brakes checked and they are not binding so this eliminates a binding caliper. Any Ideas, I don't even like driving the car at the moment!!!

Get it checked elsewhere.

As for the noises check the top mount (most likly work) also check the baootm ball joint and both ARB and wisbone bushes for wear also check the top mount isn't catching on the strut top under the bonnet.

 

[christurbo]

Mine was the same - you need your track rods adjusted whilst the steering wheel is locked in place.

 

[ren182]

christurbo is spot on, when i bought my 54 plate 182 new, i had the same problem with the steering wheel been out slightly. I took it back to the Reno dealer and they confirmed that the wheel can't be moved by a spline so they centralised the steering rack by locking the steering wheel staight, then re-adjusted the tracking. All fine now

 

[Damski]

Mine is due to go in for a new steering wheel this week and I was thinkin that they might c**k it up on purpose cause they was giving me loads of excuses to get out of replacing it under warranty so I kicked off until they changed their minds. Are steering wheels an easy change?? If not i'm guessing from what has been said they can only put the wheel back on straightdue to it being located on a spline as long as they don't play with the tracking. By the way mine is a 182 with the c/c controls on the wheel if that makes any difference

 

[Another_16Valver]

Take it to a 4 wheel alignment specialist, most garages just check the front wheel alignment. you need to make sure that the rear wheels are aligned to each other first, then the front wheels need to be aligned to the back, this is how you centralise the steering wheel.

 

[James S]

Same on my 51 plate 1.2. I just ignored it though

 

[christurbo]

Take it to a 4 wheel alignment specialist, most garages just check the front wheel alignment. you need to make sure that the rear wheels are aligned to each other first, then the front wheels need to be aligned to the back, this is how you centralise the steering wheel.

The rear wheels are non adustable on a Clio.

I can see what you mean about gauging the alignment for the front from the rear wheels though.

Like I said getting a fancy alignment/geo done is useless unless the steering wheel is locked straight first - that is the only way to get your wheel straight.

 

[George k]

What happens is that it is possible to get the tracking apparently right, but with the track rods set at different lengths. This gives different bump steer geomtery on each side of the car, which is why it will wander and pull. Often happens because lazy people only adjust the track rod on one side.

 

[Another_16Valver]

Sorry didnt realise that they were non adjustable rears. We use the best equipment at our garage and never have any comebacks. Probably because we take time to do the job properly. Also it helps if when the alignment is set the steering wheel is turned lock-to-lock then straightened and clamped again, then re-checked. Sometimes the tyres or plates stick a little giving a false reading. The only car i've ever had a problem with is the mk1/2 golf with single side adjustment. Unless something is bent or worn it should be possible to get it bang on (if the equipment is calibrated).