What does TCL think: Alignment needed when steering wheel replaced. Yes or No?

Nope, not in my experience. You could just be expected to pay the Porsche Tax though, especially if you have the dealer do this. It's a pretty simple process to DIY.

Why do you need a new steering wheel?

 

It's a pretty simple process to DIY.

Even if you're swapping airbags from one wheel to another?

Why do you need a new steering wheel?

The padding inside my steering wheel detached from the metal frame from the 9 o'clock to 12 o'clock position and you can twist it like a motorcycle throttle. It's all loosey-goosey.

 

Haw(c)k have you ever done an alignment? If no, then pay your damn bill and shut up.

If yes, you would know that a perfect alignment will often leave the steering wheel slightly offset.

 

If yes, you would know that a perfect alignment will often leave the steering wheel slightly offset.

No. If the steering wheel isn't straight, it isn't perfect. Yes, the wheels on the ground may be perfect, but if the steering wheel isn't straight, it isn't perfect. I learned this over a decade ago when one of my autocross buddies started doing his own alignments with alignment equipment he ordered from Racer Wholesale or somewhere like that. The solution is easy however; if the steering wheel is turned slightly to the right when the vehicle tracks straight then you just adjust the toe links for the front rack each in the exact same direction by the exact same amount. Doing so doesn't change the toe, it changes the relative location of the rack's center with the steering wheel. You might have to redo it a couple times to get it perfect, but yes, a perfect alignment includes having the steering wheel perfect too. Anything less means that you had your alignment done by somebody too lazy for rework, instead settling for saying that if the 4-wheels are right, nothing else matters.

 

Certainly nothing in changing the steering wheel can affect the actual alignment, I'm sure you realize this. There is, however, a relationship between the installed position of the wheel and the current state of alignment - so the manufacturer may allow for some slight adjustment of the steering wheel position to get the wheel perfectly on center separate from the alignment. One would have to stretch to imagine why they would not have taken care of this during the installation of the new wheel, however.

 

I'd say no... sounds a bit strange.
There are typically ways of adjusting the alignment of the steering wheel to get it centered, irrespective of the alignment of your wheels.

I took the Tig to downtown VW a few weeks ago to have the clock spring replaced.
Got the car back, alignment was fine, but the wheel was canted 10* to the left (while driving straight); it wasn't previously like this.

Took the car back, was told that there is a 3 position adjustment for the wheel, and it was off.

Got car back, everything was fine.

 

no.....

all youre doing is taking the wheel off the spline and putting a new one back on. Make sure you align the new wheel on the spline properly otherwise it will be off.

 

No, but you do need to bed in your brakes every time you wear a different pair of shoes.

 

Does this applies is he is wearing sneakers then?

In short It does not affect alignment. Did the dealership do a measurement or validated the actual alignment (those machines you drive over and give you a print out) or they were just going of from the actual wheel position? Can you try to center it at home DIY style?

 

The wheel has nothing at all to do with the alignment.

The only way for the wheel to be off now (if it wasn't before) is if the wheel goes on more than one way, and they did not take the proper care to ensure they put it back the way it came off.

 

The only way for the wheel to be off now (if it wasn't before) is if the wheel goes on more than one way, and they did not take the proper care to ensure they put it back the way it came off.

Amazes me that they don't use a piece of tape or pencil line to mark the position BEFORE removing the wheel.

 

If they're willing to lie their ass off about something like this, it's time to go to a different dealership.

 

No, you're not changing anything in the actual steering of the car. Are you having issues that you might think are caused by a misaligned steering system?

Such as...

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/diagnosing-car-problems/body/car-realigned.htm

 

I just did mine on my GLI. Your wheel has a top marking on the wheel and a top marking on the spline. Align them. Done, no need for an alignment

 

Center steering wheel =/= wheel alignment.

 

Hawk:

A) You need to learn to do some of this simple stuff on your own. The internet is full of helpful DIYs.

B) No, you shouldn't need an alignment after swapping out steering wheels. See A).

I swapped out the steering wheel in my mustang about 2 months ago and didn't notice a problem with alignment. I've had the steering wheel of the corrado before and it also didn't need an alignment when I re-installed it.

 

Where's the Picard facepalm when you need it? :facepalm:

 

Unless you're replacing it with an aftermarket wheel that doesn't center quite the same and therefore is tilted one way or the other when driving straight then absolutely not. It has zero affect on the vehicle's alignment.

 

Lol really?! You just need to align the spline!

 

the steering wheel should turn the exact # of turns/degrees to stop both ways, then it's centered on the rack, align from there

 

as long as you put the wheel back on with the splines aligned like they were. Nothing will change. It may need an alignment, but definitely not because of the new steering wheel, unless they put it on wrong.

 

I actually am a Porsche tech.

As long as you get the new wheel on the exact spline the old wheel came off your alignment would not change.. the reality of the matter is that you probably need an alignment if you havn't had one in a while anyway and when swapping steering wheels it would be a great time to get one to make sure everything is dead on.

P.s No tech in our dealership makes $10 bucks and hour. And everyone wants PDI's and oil services as they pay awesome, they are not a "lube guy" job. Infact we do not have "lube guys" as everyone is a certified Porsche technician.

 

Umm, yes. that is what they call gravy. :laugh:

Im just curious but what does your shop pay in flat rate time for PDI's and LOF's(oilchange)?