0hOneGT

So I recently bought and installed an FR500 steering wheels for my 03 Mach 1. I believe my car to be just slightly out of alignment, as prior to the install of the steering wheel when I would let go of the wheel while moving, the wheel would straighten itself out perfectly, but my car would drift slightly to the right. After installing the wheel, when I let go of the wheel while moving, the car drifts slightly to the right as before, but the wheel returns itself slightly to the left, perhaps 5-10 degrees. I've taken the wheel off and compared it to my stock wheel and the alignment of the 2 wheels as far as the connection to the steering shaft itself is the same on the 2 wheels.

Is it easy to damage or throw off the steering shaft in removing the stock wheel? Is it possible that I threw the steering shaft out of alignment or damaged it? The stock wheel seemed to take a lot of force to remove, even with the use of a steering wheel puller, and popped off semi-violently when I removed it. Is there any way to readjust or realign the actual steering shaft itself? Also, could this just be due to my car being slightly out of alignment. I plan on buying some loweriong springs and c/c plates some time next week, and will get the car aligned after. Any chance of this helping my problem? Thanks in advance

cliffyk

The splines in steering wheel hubs are not precisely aligned with the wheel spoke, as there is no need for them to be. All that's needed to center the wheel spokes is the adjust the tie-rod ends in equal but opposite amounts (fractional number of turns usually) until the steering wheel spokes are aligned.

By adjusting the tie-rod ends in equal but opposite amounts toe-in is not affected.

BTW--it sounds as though you need and alignment anyway, they should center the spokes when that is done.

devongarver

^^^ what he said! BTW, if you have a National Tire and Battery near you, you might want to check out their alignment packages, they offer plans of unlimited alignments for 1, 3, 5 yrs etc. its much more cost effective especially for people who mod their cars because you can just take it back when ever you want for free. just a thought!

0hOneGT

Cool guys thanks for the advice