Out and About in Harold

[jjbunn]

I was out and about in Harold today, warming the engine up before tuning the carbs and replacing the stock air filters. What great fun these cars are to drive! People stop and stare, smiles broadening, and nobody seems to care if you don't roar off at the lights: they let you take your time without honking or pipping.

Anyway, one issue I have (other than the excruciating driving position) is that the steering wheel is not centred when the car is going straight on a flat road: it's about 10 degrees off clockwise.

What does this signify?

To complete this post, here is an update on the list of "to do" jobs I posted earlier this year. Progress is satisfactory:

1) Replace windshield rubber seals etc. DONE
2) Replace front brake hoses (new hoses on hand) DONE
3) Replace brake pressure differential switch (switch coming from Tony) DONE
4) Repair rear dogleg rust hole DONE - Chrome sill covers installed
5) Repair front wing/windscreen rust hole DONE
6) Investigate timing/mixture/carb synch issue DONE
7) Reattach airfilters/choke etc. DONE
8) Repair rear tailgate bondo repair DONE
9) Remove bonnet/hood and try to fix shape/bumps around nose DONE
10) Investigate cost to recover rear seats DONE - Bought used rear seats on Ebay
11) Cut and fit new carpet pieces DONE
12) Fit new dashboard topper (on hand) DONE
13) Replace front bumper (on hand) DONE
14) Remove, straighten and repaint front air dam DONE
15) Replace upright interior trim pieces from each side of windscreen DONE - just cleaned them up
16) Replace hatchback hinge spring covers (on hand) NOT YET
17) Replace roof courtesy light/switch (on hand) DONE
18) Finish driver's side footwell kick panels, and fit DONE
19) Refit passenger side seat DONE
20) Replace lap seat belts (on hand) DONE
21) Fine cut/polish/wax/touch-up all body panels NOT YET
22) Replace headlamps with new units (on hand) DONE
23) Fix windscreen washer pump (used spare unit on hand) ATTEMPTED BUT NOT FIXED
24) Fit new rubber grommets to head cover (on hand) NOT YET
25) Repair clip on bulb holder for illuminated cigarette lighter DONE
26) Remove, clean and shine rear bumper, buffers, and license plate lights NOT YET
27) Fit new gaskets to all side lights DONE
28) Replace rear light lenses as a pair WAITING FOR GOOD USED ON EBAY
29) Clean all interior panels and roof lining NOT YET
30) Replace all tyres with 185/70 (currently 195/70SR14) DONE

 

[Steve_S]

The easy fix is to pull the steering wheel off and put it back on centered. The other way is to align the front end. In a worst case, you could have a damaged or bent chassis or rear axle.

Best way to fix the problem is to check the alignment first, but if the car drives straight and smooth, and the tires are wearing properly, then you can most likely just recenter the steering wheel. And there may be an even easier way to do it on later cars that I don't know of.

 

[tony barnhill]

Julian - are you tsalking about the steering wheel or the steering column itself?

I don't remember if yours has it but are there 3 or 4 bolts underneath the dash where the column is mounted....if so, you may be able to loosen them & move the column left or right a little.

 

[Nunyas]

I don't remember if yours has it but are there 3 or 4 bolts underneath the dash where the column is mounted....if so, you may be able to loosen them & move the column left or right a little.

ooooo... something for me check out on my car! The steering wheel has always been slightly off to the right of the driving position. I never bothered checking that out because I thought that was just the way it is. Now I'm gonna have to check that out! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif

Julian- My car had the steering wheel off about 10 degrees to the left (rotation). I pulled the wheel and remounted it centered. Though, I have an after market wheel that has 10 or 11 screws holding it to the hub so it was very easy to do for me. Count your turns from center to full lock in each direction. If they're not equal then you'll need to realign the front to recenter "straight" on the steering rack.

I have a sneaking suspicion that the PO of my car had the steering purposely aligned the steering wheel cocked because of her lazy driving style. My main reasons for thinking this are: 1) I remember talking to her husband about something ridiculously similar, and 2) the turns to lock is ever so slightly more one way than the other.

 

[jjbunn]

Julian - are you tsalking about the steering wheel or the steering column itself?

I don't remember if yours has it but are there 3 or 4 bolts underneath the dash where the column is mounted....if so, you may be able to loosen them & move the column left or right a little.

I mean the steering wheel is rotated: with the wheels pointed dead ahead, the arms of the steering wheel are 10 degrees off horizontal.

But I would also like to shift the column left if possible: that may alleviate the leg-rubbing problem. So I will check those bolts out tomorrow: thanks for the tip!

 

[jjbunn]

The easy fix is to pull the steering wheel off and put it back on centered. The other way is to align the front end. In a worst case, you could have a damaged or bent chassis or rear axle.

Best way to fix the problem is to check the alignment first, but if the car drives straight and smooth, and the tires are wearing properly, then you can most likely just recenter the steering wheel. And there may be an even easier way to do it on later cars that I don't know of.

Thanks Steve: I think I will check the alignment. Either that or I'll drive it up to Just Tires and have them do it ... they have a fancy laser setup which I used for the 911, and I was impressed by their thoroughness.

 

[jlaird]

Pull the wheel, replace without bolt, drive down the street slowly with car going in a straight line. Stop, pull the wheel and replace in correct position, replace bolt and such.

Job done, now that was not hard was it, lol.

Oh yea, do we get a current pic??

 

[Bugeye58]

And moving the wheel on the shaft is a DPO fix to mask an improperly done alignment.
Jeff

 

[tony barnhill]

Before I'd move the wheel on the shaft, I'd take it to a front end alignment shop & have them ensure there was equal amount of turns right & left...then, after a good alignment, I'd move the steering wheel.