Hi Nam,

I just got an alignment done from a reputable mini specialist near me. When I picked up the car and drove home, I noticed that the steering wheel is slightly pointed to the left when driving straight. When I got home and had the steering wheel in lock position, the steering wheel is in the exact slightly pointed to the left position, about 11:55 o’clock. I suspect they aligned the car with the steering wheel in lock position.

My question is, is this how they are supposed to be? I mean, from the factory, is this by design? Is there a way for me to remove the steering wheel and re install it? I’m diagnosed with OCD but if this is the way it is supposed to be, then I’ll be ok with it. I’m exploring my options before bringing it back. It drives straight though and no vibrations or other problems. Here’s a photo for reference. Thanks in advance.

 

I have one that is worse than yours.

 

Thanks for the response. Are you saying that I should just leave it be?

 

No, I wish I could rectify mine.

 

Alright, thanks. I’ll bring it back then.

 

Looks close enough not to bother with it,
but if you want it perfectly straight ...

First, check that the toe is actually where
you want it.

Two methods to straighten that wheel:

1- Lengthen the right tie rod a little (probably
1/2 to 1 turn) and shorten the left one by
the same amount.

-or-

2- Take off the wheel (WITHOUT setting
off the airbag) and put it back one spline
clockwise.

Your wheel is close enough to center that
the second method might result in it
ending up off a little to the OTHER side!

 

r53 -

It's a VERY minor adjustment to straighten the wheel. Almost hit and miss...AND keep the toe at the correct dimension.
Can it be readjusted, yes, should it be readjusted, if "you" think is should, then yes. A "good" shop would have done this in the first place. Most shops will tell you that's it's fine as is..!

You can try moving the wheel one spline on the shaft, but I'd bet that even a single spline will be too much...in the opposite direction. It'll end up just where it is now, only pointing in the opposite direction.

All you can do is ask the shop that did the work to readjust and see what they say.

Mike

 

Thanks for the response you guys, I’ll bring it back but will never return to that shop after that, no matter what happens. They overcharged me to install rear camber arms, but I was already there. And when I got the car back, there was no print out of the alignment. I was too tired to argue. I got home to check if they touched rear trailing arm bolts, and the bolts were dusty suggesting they were not adjusted. I would know because I was just under the car attempting the camber arms before I pulled a back muscle. While under, I checked the toe adjustment bolts for rust. Sorry - I am ranting now.

Anyway, I’ll see if I can try to adjust it myself via the tie rod method making sure I turn them equally, and recheck. I’d rather not touch the steering spline, for now.

Thanks again for the response. Anyone interested to know which shop this is, You can PM me.

 

Ran into same problem here. Took my car to a national retailer to get an alignment. When I picked up my car. They handed me the print out. I was like 🤬💩💩💩.
The rear was no where close to being correct. Same with the front. So I asked them. Did you even touch the rear. They said, the tech did not know how to adjust rear. So I was like . I'm not paying for something you did not do.
Took it to the mini dealer 2 hours away. They put everything back to spec. Only 115 out the door.

 

Good for you that you were able to say no “I’m not paying for that.” For me and my health, it’s better to let some things slide. I just look at the bright side. Now I get to play with my alignment by myself and maybe learn something. It still sucks though when you feel you got ripped off.

It sucks that there are shops like these. The hassle of dropping the car off and then picking it up only to discover that you got nothing for what you paid for.

Oh well. Live and learn, right?

 

Is taking the wheel off difficult?

 

I’ve taken a steering wheel off of an e30 before and it wasn’t particularly difficult. From
the videos i’ve seen, it doesn’t seem difficult for the mini either. Disconnect battery, remove airbag, disconnect electrical lines, then in the center is a big bolt, then pull the steering wheel.

here’s a link to a tutorial

http://www.billswebspace.com/MiniR53...stallation.htm


What I am not sure of is if the spline has a key spline or if it can be clocked in any direction. Hoping someone can chime in as I am curious too.

 

Or they're lazy, incompetent or blind, and they eyeballed the wheel wrong.
Which also tells you how lazy they are. Make them fix it. I once got mine back from an alignment done by *ahem* a certain premium 'British Independent Motorcar Garage' with 0.5" of play in the wheel that wasn't there when I brought the car in. The *** clown owner of the place actually handed me the keys with a straight face after taking my money. I immediately went back, handed him the keys and made him fix it. He protested of course - "no big deal, it's within factory tolerance..." whatever dude, fix it or the State Bureau gets a call.

Oh, and it turns out he'd subbed out the alignment to a shop down the street who naturally drew their labor force from the local Millionaire's Corner at Home Depot.

These guys will try to sell anything - especially BS - to get a car out the door. Don't them get away with it.

 

Alright NAM, I was able to clock the wheel slightly to the right. For those who are interested, it wasn’t difficult at all.

-disconnect the battery negative terminal
-push the two dimples to release airbag
-disconnect two wires
-unbolt 16mm bolt
-slowly pull steering wheel
-reattach in the correct orientation
-and then do the reverse.

I will report back after a test drive.

 

Considering how "off" the wheel is, this is the ONLY method that should be used to rectify this.

There's no reason to mess with the steering wheel itself. Pull one rod in and push the other out slightly. Leave the wheel alone. If you were off by 30* or more, that's a different story.

 

Ok, here’s an update. Cristo and veedub were correct that messing with the steering will be too much of an adjustment. After playing with the steering wheel spline, it now slightly points the other way but less so than before.

I tried adjusting the tie rod, but my adjustable wrench is too big to allow me to turn the lock nut. The wrench gets caught on the control arm. I’ll try again next time when i get the proper tool.

For now, I’ll leave it as is.

Thanks again for all your responses.

 

Agreed. I've always understood that alignments should be done with the steering rack or box centered, not necessarily the wheel.
If the wheel is off by 30 degrees, center the rack or box first, fix the wheel & then do the alignment. The steering wheel will stay centered.

 

if it points the other way less than before,
it is probably centered better than 75% of
all MINIs on the road.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Happy motoring!

 

welllllll ....

I took my car to the dealer for an alignment a couple of years ago and got it back with the steering wheel with just enuf cant to be noticeable .... it annoyed me but dealer said 'in specs'

time passes ... time for new tires and of course I get an alignment at the time ... NOT the dealer

car comes back with steering perfectly centered.

guess which place I continue to use . . . .

finding a GOOD alignment place is like finding a good barber or dentist .....