Steering Wheel Changing Positions?

[x29Saab]

Hi All,

The steering wheel on my federal elan has "rotated" for straight steering. Yesterday, it was dead ahead, now it is cocked to the side to go straight. What gives?

Thanks

P.S. Both front wheels seem to be tracking fine.

[F1 LOTUS]

I had this following a new rack being fitted. The trackrods were unscrewing themselves at the rack-end because the factory had failed to tap the tab-washers into the anti-rotation groove.

[x29Saab]

Would that cause both wheels to get out of alignment versus the steering wheel at the same time? Also is it easy to fix the tab washers?

Thank you.

[firebobby]

Have you bumped a kerb or anything like that? This can cause the tracking , and hence the steering wheel to go off centre.
Dave

[x29Saab]

No curbs. Basically the steering wheel was straight and then I took a turn. After the turn, the steering wheel was no longer straight. It seemed to make a bit of noise when I drove through another turn.

[firebobby]

I think you need to get it checked at a garage my friend!! It probably needs to be on a wheel free ramp to find out the problem.
dave

[F1 LOTUS]

Would that cause both wheels to get out of alignment versus the steering wheel at the same time? Also is it easy to fix the tab washers?

Thank you.

The tab washers were in-place, they'd never been tapped into place - you'd need to have the alignment checked afterwards though.

[tweetdriver63]

I think you need to get it checked at a garage my friend!! It probably needs to be on a wheel free ramp to find out the problem.
dave

This kind of slippage, if it happens again, could cause a wreck and kill somebody (you?). I wouldn't drive it anywhere unless it was to the garage to be checked, and I would be very careful doing that. It might be worth the $$ to have it towed instead. As a pilot, I would never take a chance on anything related to the flight control systems. I'd treat this kind of thing with the same caution. I would also ask around to find a garage that specializes in steering/suspension problems, not just Joe Average mechanic.

[x29Saab]

I appreciate all of the help so far. I lifted the front end off the ground so I could take a better look at it. It turns out that the left front is toeing in in relation to the steering wheel. The right side looks dead ahead. While snooping around, I found that the anti-roll bar had popped off the ball on the left side (ie dislocated shoulder). I am scratching my head to figure out how to get the socket back on the ball (if you guys have some suggestions, I would appreciate it). I don't know the forces involved and how the anti-roll bar works exactly but could a disconnected anti-roll bar allow a severe alignment issue to occur? I certainly will not be driving the car until this is fixed.

[x29Saab]

Update: The anti-roll bar was bent probably due to a front end collision of a previous owner. This caused the ball to come out of the socket. I bent it back in shape by unbolting the bar, rotating it and then using a bottle jack to unbend it. Worked nicely with the bottom of the jack pushing on the area that bolts to the socket and the other end pushing on the mounting flange for the hanger. Then I used an 8 inch C-Clamp to pop the socket back on and bolted everything back up. Undid the gaiter over the ball joint on the steering rack. The little washer was tabbed into the groove properly. The tie rod is straight. The tie rod end is tight. The steering rack appears to be bolted to the chassis. No missing teeth on the rack, no signs of wear. So now I am still in a state of wonder. What came out of alignment? I will be going through and putting a wrench on every bolt I can find tonight. Any more ideas anyone? Remember that wheel is toeing in about 10 degrees (huge).

[BFG in the BRG]

It might be worth taking it to a Lotus dealer and getting them to inspect, and do a full Geometric set-up - getting all 4 wheels aligned correctly. Mine took an hour's labour fot the Geo, so I guess allow an extra 1/2 hour for the inspection, also at the same time you could ask them to do a valuation, mine didn't charge and it comes in useful for a guarenteed valuation insurance policy if you are going to get one, also, might come in useful if you ever need to do an insurance claim.

[x29Saab]

My nearest lotus dealer is 300 miles away so it will be difficult. All the bolts are tight! Still worried that something is not right. Could I have bent something in the suspension that badly in a corner if the anti-roll bar was disconnected?

[ailwyn]

It would be worth downloading the manuals, IIRC it tells you in there how to do a DIY 4 wheel alignment.

[lotuska]

As you seemed to have covered everything on the front end what about checking the rear end...could be the rear end out of alignment or something wrong or not tight.

[Monty]

Have you checked the pinch bolt on the UJ at the bottom of the steering column?

[RayD]

Out of desperation...

Jack the car up and identify a way of stopping the wheels from ‘steering.’ Perhaps two pieces of wood wedged between the tyres and the chassis.

Then try turning the steering wheel, and see what happens. If for instance Monty was right and the pinch bolt was loose you would see it happen, likewise if steering wheel was loose or the rack moving from side to side, or whatever.

Ray

[x29Saab]

I brought the car in to the shop to have a good looking at. I'll post an update when they have sorted it out.

[x29Saab]

The mechanics never did find the source of the shift. However the following issues were found and corrected. The bottom left front ball joint was loose. one of the welds on the right rear suspension mounting was cracked. After four wheel alignment, they could not adequately adjust caster or camber on the front. Camber is -2 degrees left. Caster is -1 degreeish. Looking at the caster adjustment, I see only six spacers instead of eight. Is this normal for a California spec car?

[Doug]

that ARB ball joint is going to pop loose again -- you'll need a new one so order it up soon.

[RayD]

The mechanics never did find the source of the shift.

You’ve lost me somewhere... there would always be a reason for the steering wheel moving in relation to the road wheels. At some point you had a 10º toe in on one wheel?

Sat here I can't see a relationship between the anti roll bar and the tracking.

Ray