Miata 02' steering wheel position

[tao724]

I had new brakes put on my 02' Miata (Sport package edition), last spring. Something 'broke' at the shop and they had to replace the right front caliper. Ever since , the steering wheel has been 'off center' a few degrees. It dosen't interfere with anything, the car is still absolutely perfect, it just bugs me. I took it back, they checked it out and told me it was like that before they worked on it, (it wasn't). I had the wheels balanced, and the alignment checked elsewhere, all ok.
Any ideas about what is doing this, and more importantly, what I can do to fix it? (if its too costly, I'll live with it.....(spare $ is for the Midge!). :confuse:

 

[Roger]

Whoever did your alignment (toe) did not centre the steering wheel and make sure your tie-rods were of equal length after adjustment.
It's very easy to fix, but if you're not confident of doing it yourself, go to a good alignment shop. The guys you're talking to are pulling the wool over your eyes.

 

[14dna]

As a 30 year veteran of the auto industry, (read mechanic), I must say, it disappoints me that guys don't finish an alignment by centering the wheel.
This can cause larger problems down the road in regards to airbags, signals, and cruise control.
As Roger says,go find a reputable shop and stick with them, all these guys are doing is parts replacement.

Just my thoughts.

Dave

 

[DrEntropy]

Argh. That's annoying. Whoever did the alignment did it half-arsed. I'm another Cert'ed ASE Tech, wrench'd for nearly 30 years on all manner of EuroTrash... when someone gives that kind of "service" it reflects poorly on the industry as a whole, the guilty shop in particular, IMO.

It's likely about two turns of both tie-rods to correct. Just laziness on the part of the alignment person, mebbe tryin' to make 'rate'... but if it's cockeyed the service manager SHOULD have sent it back to the tech to correct. Enough 'come-back' jobs and he'll start to do it right the first time.

Two in a row like that (if it were our shop) I'd be lookin' for another alignment tech. Lots of folks outta work now. :wink:

 

[Roger]

The worst thing is leaving it like that after you took it back, and then telling porkie-pies.

 

[RonMacPherson]

If the car tracks straight, doesn't pull or drift. It's an easy enough fix(problem is consistent with Hunter equipment for some reason or another).. Turn the tie rods in the direction that the wheel is turning.. You turn both tie rods the same amount in the same direction. So all you are doing is moving the rack a bit.

Usually, on a road test, I start with two flats. Tighten up the lock nut then road test again...