deano87
Member
Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
User status: Offline
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I had 4 brand new Kumho tyres fitted to my Ford Fiesta at a reputable garage where I live. Been there a few times for tyres and MOT with no issues. Thought I'd get wheel alignment done as my existing tyres had worn a bit uneven.
I drive off on Saturday and the steering wheel was off centre. Say 10deg to the left, but the car tracked straight and tru. I popped back in but they were due to close so said come back Monday and we'll sort it. Wasn't an issue so did.
Went back yesterday, drive to work and still the same, albeit 5deg out 
Go back in today and they've adjusted, but it is 10deg to the right now the technician said that they have aligned/tracked it correctly so they can't do anything about the steering wheel, it's one or the other. Correct alignment & dodgey wheel, or straight wheel and not aligned.
So I phoned Stapletons in Biggleswade (brand) who said that is not the case and you can of course have both straight. Independent where I take the car for servicing & repairs said the same.
I phoned the garage back, had a moan and the manager said the technician shouldn't have said that and they will be able to sort it if they don't after a 3rd visit I'll demand a refund.
Question: despite the age of the car or the quality of the tyres etc, you should be able to get the wheels aligned and the steering wheel straight shouldn't you? I've read some things on the internet about a steering wheel clamp (bit like a crook lock) which should be used...
[Edited on 11-06-2013 by deano87]
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gazza808
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Registered: 30th Jun 08
Location: Peterborough
User status: Offline
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sounds like they've done your tracking on one side, instead of getting centre position on the rack and adjusting both sides,
or this has been done in the past and now they've corrected it, and in the past some ones moved the steering wheel position to make up for it,
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deano87
Member
Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
User status: Offline
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I very much doubt the steering wheel has ever been off. The previous owner did 5,000 miles a year and only ever went to Gates Ford dealership and I have all receipts.
I don't think they've centred & locked the steering wheel myself.
About 2 months ago I got it tracked as I noticed it was out and the tyres were wearing but was a bit late - they made adjustments but the steering wheel was fine!
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BenC1985
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Registered: 5th May 12
Location: Northants
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Thats the first thing they do when tracking aint it? Center the wheel THEN do the tracking so both are straight. Thats what the people do at the place i take my car. Give them one more chance to sort it then give up and demand a refund as you will then have to pay someone else.
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Richie
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Registered: 3rd Dec 02
Location: Newport, Wales
User status: Offline
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I had a nightmare getting the tracking done right on the Merc. Of course you can get the steering wheel straight and the tracking correct - you were being fed bullshit by the technician who was getting stressed out cos he cant get it right.
The only thing I will say though - is make sure they centre the steering wheel prior to turning off the engine. That's where it was going wrong on my Merc anyway!
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gazza808
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Registered: 30th Jun 08
Location: Peterborough
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by BenC1985
Thats the first thing they do when tracking aint it? Center the wheel THEN do the tracking so both are straight. Thats what the people do at the place i take my car. Give them one more chance to sort it then give up and demand a refund as you will then have to pay someone else.
no,
first thing you do is center the rack, not the steering wheel.
steering wheel might of been messed with in the past. i've seen it done before adjusted rack on one side then moved the wheel, common one 106/saxo's as one track rod end is abit of a pig to get too. and a bodge.
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monkeytwizzel
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Registered: 10th Aug 11
Location: Chard, Somerset
User status: Offline
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There is no reason why they can`t get it central!are they using a two or four wheel system?
On the for wheel system they should set the toe in/out and then set the rear facing lazers making sure that the toe in/out remains correctly set.
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deano87
Member
Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by monkeytwizzel
There is no reason why they can`t get it central!are they using a two or four wheel system?
On the for wheel system they should set the toe in/out and then set the rear facing lazers making sure that the toe in/out remains correctly set.
Not sure, but my understand was that only the front wheels could be adjusted on a Fiesta so it wouldn't make much difference if they had to do a 2 wheel or 4 wheel adjustment.
He did mention something about lining up the fronts with "flags" on the rear?
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deano87
Member
Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
User status: Offline
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Sorted after 1 hour of faffing and test drives  apparently in the game 23 years
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
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Never take it back there, took me years to find a decent garage to do 4 wheel alignment, don't even rate WIM who are apparently they best round here. Someone who knows what they are doing will sort it for you.
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deano87
Member
Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
User status: Offline
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All sorted pow. And 4 wheel alignment don't apply on the Fiesta as only the front adjust!
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monkeytwizzel
Member
Registered: 10th Aug 11
Location: Chard, Somerset
User status: Offline
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Nice one,Setting up using the flags is the type i was refering to!
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deano87
Member
Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
User status: Offline
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Yeah he definitely mentioned rear flags.
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