steering wheel is off center

nickawd · 01-28-2006, 06:32 AM

I have a brand new 06 A4 2.0 S-line..On a straight road the car's steering wheel is never perfectly aligned with the instrument cluster. It always turns slightly to the left. Does anyone have this similar problem?

HRockwell · 01-28-2006, 06:43 AM

I plan on having the dealer fix it when I take the car in for 5K service. Policy used to be that dealer would correct one time at N/C.

nickawd · 01-28-2006, 06:51 AM

I took it to the dealer at around 100 miles and they said it was fine. I just don't have the time or the patience to go through all that waiting again.

SoCalB7 · 01-28-2006, 07:17 AM

Have the dealer realign the car, making sure that the steering wheel is properly positioned.

I had the same problem, except mine pulled to the right. The first dealer couldn't figure it out, but a second one did after I pointed out the problem was with the steering wheel, not the toe, camber, etc.

jim'02a4 · 01-28-2006, 07:32 AM

THe steering wheel centering is a seperate adj. and should be fixed. If the alignment is correct it won't cause abnormal tier wear, but it takes away from the driving enjoyment. Bring it back.

nickawd · 01-28-2006, 07:32 AM

I'm gonna give it one more try..This time with another audi service station..thanks guys...i'll keep you posted

SoCalB7 · 01-28-2006, 11:42 AM

When aligning the car, the tech has to be careful to make certain that the steering wheel is in the proper position while aligning the car, as jim'02a4 eludes to.

The rest of the alignment may actually be OK, but adjusting it to match the steering wheel will likely require them to do the whole thing over again. They can't just tweak the steering wheel, because the alignment has to be done while the steering wheel is in the appropriate position.

Mooselook · 01-28-2006, 12:41 PM

I've had this problem at one time or another with three different cars; Saab 9-3, Toyota Corolla and Toyota Camry. Jim'02a4 is absolutely correct. Also, steering wheel off center is the most common reason that people return their cars to shops for re-do's after alignment jobs.
Don't put up with it, because it will aggravate you and it has a simple fix.
Regards,
Mooselook

jprice@CPS · 01-28-2006, 11:37 PM

If that's the case, the wheels would have to be held slightly to the left to go straight.

Also, check tire pressures. One tire being a little lower will cause a little bit of pull.

SoCalB7 · 01-29-2006, 06:57 AM

Roads are usually cambered to be slightly higher in the center, so a properly aligned car may sometimes pull right. But Nick's is pulling left, so that's probably not it in this case.

Good idea about checking tire pressures, though, I forgot to mention that.

01-28-2006, 06:43 AM	#2
HRockwell Audiworld Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 62	My S-Line Is Also Like This I plan on having the dealer fix it when I take the car in for 5K service. Policy used to be that dealer would correct one time at N/C.

01-28-2006, 06:51 AM	#3
nickawd New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 19	Re: My S-Line Is Also Like This I took it to the dealer at around 100 miles and they said it was fine. I just don't have the time or the patience to go through all that waiting again. __________________ 06 2.0T Sline Black/Black Fully damn loaded

01-28-2006, 07:17 AM	#4
SoCalB7 New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 293	Your car was not aligned properly Have the dealer realign the car, making sure that the steering wheel is properly positioned. I had the same problem, except mine pulled to the right. The first dealer couldn't figure it out, but a second one did after I pointed out the problem was with the steering wheel, not the toe, camber, etc.

01-28-2006, 07:32 AM	#5
jim'02a4 Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 578	The alignment can be correct, with the steering wheel off center,, THe steering wheel centering is a seperate adj. and should be fixed. If the alignment is correct it won't cause abnormal tier wear, but it takes away from the driving enjoyment. Bring it back.

01-28-2006, 07:32 AM	#6
nickawd New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 19	Re: Your car was not aligned properly I'm gonna give it one more try..This time with another audi service station..thanks guys...i'll keep you posted __________________ 06 2.0T Sline Black/Black Fully damn loaded

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01-28-2006, 11:42 AM	#7
SoCalB7 New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 293	To clarify, the camber /toe/ etc. might be aligned properly, but not to the steering wheel When aligning the car, the tech has to be careful to make certain that the steering wheel is in the proper position while aligning the car, as jim'02a4 eludes to. The rest of the alignment may actually be OK, but adjusting it to match the steering wheel will likely require them to do the whole thing over again. They can't just tweak the steering wheel, because the alignment has to be done while the steering wheel is in the appropriate position.

01-28-2006, 12:41 PM	#8
Mooselook AudiWorld Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 131	Re: steering wheel is off center I've had this problem at one time or another with three different cars; Saab 9-3, Toyota Corolla and Toyota Camry. Jim'02a4 is absolutely correct. Also, steering wheel off center is the most common reason that people return their cars to shops for re-do's after alignment jobs. Don't put up with it, because it will aggravate you and it has a simple fix. Regards, Mooselook __________________

01-28-2006, 11:37 PM	#9
jprice@CPS Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Aug 2000 Posts: 13,131	May be due to road being high in the center, low on the sides for water drainage. If that's the case, the wheels would have to be held slightly to the left to go straight. Also, check tire pressures. One tire being a little lower will cause a little bit of pull. __________________ Minnesota Audi Club 2001.5 Audi A4 1.8TQMS APR Stage 3+, APR Exhaust, Eibach Pro Street Coilovers, Neuspeed 19mm rear sway.

01-29-2006, 06:57 AM	#10
SoCalB7 New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 293	If it was due to road crown the car would probably pull to the right, not left Roads are usually cambered to be slightly higher in the center, so a properly aligned car may sometimes pull right. But Nick's is pulling left, so that's probably not it in this case. Good idea about checking tire pressures, though, I forgot to mention that.

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