When we did the engine swap recently my steering wheel ended up off center, so I obviously did not mark the steeering shaft properly on the engine removal and it went back together slightly off center. I would say the center of the steering wheel is now at the 1-2 o'clock position. I believe to fix it I have to take the steering shaft apart again, but I am having an alignment done in the next while. Can I leave it for the alignment to straighten out the wheel ?, would they straighten the wheel out the same way as me pulling the steering shaft apart ?, or is it a different method that they use. Should I take this apart again or leave it for the alignment ?. Thanks for any advice and thanks for reading.

 

I would definitely slide the spline off and re-phase it so the steering wheel is straight.

If they do it with alignment, the rack will be off in one direction because they will have to loosen one tie rod end a few turns, and tighten the other a few turns.

A centered steering wheel should be proportionate to a centered rack, especially with the EPS system.

 

Billman, If the rack is off, as you've pointed out, how would this adversely affect the car. This is the method i went through after I completed my clutch job and my steering was off a couple degrees. I had the alignment shop fix it and cant tell if the steering is different from before or i'm just being overly paranoid.

 

The neutral rack position will be off, and the car will turn tighter in one direction.

 

Could you also stress the clockspring?
I'd pop it off and re-phase it.

 

Thanks for the replies on this, Billman thanks for confirming that the alignment process uses a different method to straighten the front wheels. I will re-adjust it before the alignment. I appreciate the replies.

 

Might be more trouble, but couldn't you pull the steering wheel and just set it back on straight from there?

 

Do not pull the steering wheel.

Your rack will remain off center if you do so.

Not only that, the car will have more assist in one direction than the other due to the neutral (original straight) position of the rack being off.

 

And you'll have to re-learn the torque sensor neutral position.