One thing that you didn't mention was if the rear wheels were impacted, or if it was just the front. I have found that my rear wheels go out of alignment VERY easily driving aggressively on rough surfaces. It doesn't take an impact strong enough to bend something to screw up the toe on the rear, and will cause the steering wheel to be off center (dog tracking). The surface that I autocross on is so crappy, my alignments only last 1-2 events, and it is always the rear toe that is screwed up.

 

You can think anything you want. Tightening the coupling is one of the last steps when the engine is raised after a transmission removal and I have seen THREE cars (including mine) where the mechanic failed to get it tight and the wheel moved.

 

This is a freinds S2000, the car hit a pliable barrier, smashed the whole side in.

Rear wheels were not impacted. just front right.

Right Fender, Right door, Rocker panel.

It was all panel damage. However it clipped the wheel there is no scrapes, just a bit of scuffed side wall.

The wheel was held when the impact occured.

When going straight the steering wheel 1/2 turns to the left.
The car tracks completely straight, no pulling no odd tire wear.

The right front wheel that was struck has some toe out.

As for why, I would want to center the wheel, I want to know how it is done. There is national back order on parts for these friggen cars that prevents his car from going in for almost 1 month.

The car has been rotting for nearly a month already.

I am not trying to do an eyeball alignment that is just stupid.
People tell me the car needs an alignment.

I don't see how that would center the wheel.

What is the wheel centering practice on these cars?

 

That sounds like the answer I am looking for.

Any idea on how much time?

Would an impact like that be the reason the wheel is not centered by more than 1/2 turns?

 

Cdelena is correct. Now he knows of four cars that this has happened to. me being the fourth. (clutch install)and yes I realigned the splines in the coupler and you could clearly see that it was misaligned from the bright shiny clean spot showing on the splines.

 

Hi there,

I am not sure if my comment here is helpful, and I also don't know if the S2000 is equipped with this, but...

As part of standard anti-theft systems and steering wheel locking system, many manufacturers incorporate a slip coupling that yields when a torque of about 75 ft.lb is applied through the steering wheel. As this is not destructive, the result is that the steering wheel remains in the rotated position, when the wheels point in the original position.

Take care,


Siepel

 

Well, you mentioned that there is toe out on the RF wheel. As I said, uneven toe will *not* cause the car to pull to one side. Instead, the the toe will just center itself. Example- if the car started at 0 toe and the impact caused 1/2" of toe out on the RF wheel (bent tie rod for ex.), toe imbalance will automatically center itself so there is ~1/4" toe out on each side. In order to center itself, both wheels have to turn *left*, which causes the steering wheel to point *left*, even though the car is still going *straight*.

This is because uneven front toe will not cause the car to pull. Uneven *rear* toe will cause it to pull, because there is no steering mechanism to compensate for it. Also uneven camber and/or caster will cause the car to pull to one side.

So normally, if you have a slight imbalance in front toe, you will put the car on a rack, hold the wheel straight, and dial both toe adjusters until you have the correct toe, even on both sides. Then the wheel should be straight.

As for the splined steering shaft, this should only be whacked if a mechanic took it apart during repairs. It sounds like the car has not been repaired yet?

I guess I don't get it. On one hand you say you can visibly see toe out on one wheel. On the other hand you don't think this has anything to do with your alignment. The only way to find out what is causing the problem is to look at the alignment. If you move the steering shaft by one spline, it still might not be straight, and your alignment might still be whacked.

Peter

 

Yes the toe is out of wack.

There is no doubt however I can 100% guarentee that there is no way there is enough adjustment on the tie rods to get the wheel back straight that is my point. There is not enough adjustment left.

 

Well... if you can "100% guarantee" that it can't be adjusted back, then there MUST be some bent parts. There is definitely more adjustment in the tie rods than there is in the steering rack mounts.

 

Xviper... where is that joint. Do you by any chance have pics? I'm curious.