I just purchased a 2003 V6 for my son. I've noticed that when I drive it, the steering wheel seems a little bit "tilted". If I have my hands at 3 and 9 o'clock on the wheel, my left hand is closer to the dash than my right. The wheel seems to be cocked somewhat. Is this by design, or has my new car been in some terrible accident previously and been put back together wrong? My neighbor (a pretty good auto mechanic) says it's designed that way due to the lack of space in the engine compartment for the column. Sounds reasonable, but I'm a bit skeptical. I've never been in a car that didn't have an ergonomically correct steering wheel.

 

132 people viewed this posting in 8 hours but nobody gave me any ideas. How about a little help people?

 

You can't always expect an immediate answer, especially when people may be at work and can't go out and measure their steering wheel.

These are rough measurements because I have a steering wheel cover on. But I measured at 3 and 9 o'clock straight forward from the wheel to the horizontal gap between the bezel surrounding the gauge cluster and lower dash panel. The left side was about 6 inches and the right side was around 8 inches.

If its much more than that you could look under the steering column area and look at the brackets holding the steering column on. The should be straight.

Frankly, I've never even noticed it till you brought it up.

 

Thanks Trash! After looking at it closer, I think it would be better described by how far I have to extend my arms to reach the wheel ....because the dash is curved. I have to reach out farther with my left hand to grab the wheel than I do with my right hand. Seems like a couple of inches. Maybe less. Apparently some cars are built that way on purpose...I've just never heard of it...and was wondering if this era of Mustangs is one of those such vehicle.