Hi guys, replaced my steering wheel today and thought all was good as the wheel only aligns one way with the horn/cruise control connection and when I put it on my wheels were straight with the top of the wheel. Went for a drive tonight and going straight my wheel is angles about 20 degrees to the right, I guess I pulled the alignment out when I was tightening the nut on the steering column. Is there any way to fix this myself or am I best off paying someone to fix the wheel alignment? Also does anyone in Adelaide know a good zed mechanic or decent mechanic in general that doesn't charge an arm and a leg? Want to get the whole car looked over to make sure she is running right. My boost controller isn't working and stock boost seems to be running 2 psi low. Cheers
I am not sure if I understand what you are saying here as I am a bit confused as to how your steering alignment can be out by only adjusting and tightening the steering wheel nut on the column. You would virtually have to have your wheels locked into a fixed position and use plenty of force on the wheel to even make an impact on your alignment - so this is very unlikely! The cruise control connections are on a copper pin and rotating sleeve connection inside - this is where I think you have become confused - in simple terms - so do you do not align the steering wheel with this connection - you simply align the steering wheel with the wheels and so you rotate the shaft until the wheels are straight first You just need to reattach and reorientate the steering wheel to the correct position as being 20 degrees off centre is not hard to do in reality since its not really that much visually speaking - you will need a steering wheel puller to get it off the tapered spline but orientate the wheels straight by driving in a straight line for a couple of metres before starting and mark with chalk or tap (check on both sides) before using the puller (but after removing the nut) - once its on the spline it cannot rotate on the column itself so it makes no difference if the wheel turns a bit when tightening Sounds like you have a manual boost controller - just be careful with boost gauges as they may not be accurate! You will need to have this confirmed and checked out - I ma just saying that you might be boosting and juts not realise it if the gauge itself is playing up - which is not uncommon Better off finding a fellow Z member nearby to give you hand with this if you can - sorry but your too far away from me for this one - but you should be able to sort the steering out now you have the low down as its an easy fix for you Good luck JC
Hi. There are a couple of places. The best place for a Zed mechanic is Barrys down south: Adelaide Z Cars, 28 Chapman road, Hackham. 8384 8209. For wheel alignment: Pedders, 27 Golden Grove road, Ridgehaven, 8396 7100. They do a very good safety check for $25. I think they do the alignments for: Morpowa, 14 Famechon Crescent, Modbury North, 8264 2906. I hope this helps.:zlove:
I don't think he needs a wheel alignment - he needs the steering wheel put on properly - but I guess its helpful for the future
Thanks for the quick reply, To be honest I am not 100% sure what it is, my old wheel is different from the new one I put on, the new one had the copper rings but when I pulled my old one off it did not and the connection for the wheel buttons was different. I had to take the front and the back of the wheel off each and swap them over to put the new wheel on, I was just assuming it was a difference between models. When I pulled the old one off I didn't move anything and put the new one on in the exact same position, but maybe undoing the nut moved the column a bit more than I thought, I really don't know. Doing it myself my wheels did lock one way and i did apply a bit of force to make sure it was nice and tight and sitting in the driveway it was straight with the wheels, but when I drove it became apparent it was out. I will try taking it off any realigning it myself and putting it on again. It seems every problem I fix I cause another one... Boost gauge may be out a little but MBC is definitely not working, switched on or off set to min or max the car feels the same, know nothing about them being my first turbo car. Worst case scenario I get someone to check everything over for me, it needs to be done anyway. Car wasn't well looked after before I got it so I need to make sure there is nothing major I haven't been able to notice myself. Cheers. Thanks Zeo, Is Adelaide Z cars expensive in general? Quite broke at the moment, and looking for a well priced general checkup. I guess they would know more about them than anywhere else though. Would you be available some time to come have a look and maybe help me learn more about these cars?
Yep - it sounds like different model wheels and yes it quite easy to move the wheel accidently when taking off the nut as stated - there is not much in difference at 20 degrees - its about an inch at the wheel and can be missed easily - hence why its best to move the car back or forth about a metre before putting the wheel on as you can tell better if its aligned with the wheels easier than looking at them - it will be right when you reseat it!
Ahh I see what you mean, I didn't realise the connector spun freely.. I feel stupid lol. It must have spun a bit when I removed the wheel and I never noticed. Have adjusted it a bit, will test today and adjust until it is right. Thanks again, you saved me from spending like $120 at pedders for a full alignment.
Your welcome - glad I helped you figure it out Bloody z's can be a bit funny at times with parts - we have all found this out at one stage!
