Alignment Adjustment

[Jrgee72]

My 2014 has 9000kms and noticed I have to slightly hold the steering wheel to the left to keep the vehicle straight. It does not drift on its own but this was not the case when it was brand new. The warranty booklet says minor adjustments including alignments are covered for 1 year or 20 000kms. Called the dealer and they said I have to pay for the alignment?? Any similar scenarios out there.

 

[erhayes]

If the booklet states that minor alignment problems are covered, what is worng with the dealer? Is a rim damaged or ? that causes the dealer to not do the free realignment?

 

[Jrgee72]

I have to still follow up with them. It is only over the phone with a service manager. I have an appointment at the end of the week. If they don't do it I will take it somewhere else.

 

[Skorpio]

I think it's up to the discretion of the individual dealer to align a car under warranty. Just like brake rotors, some stealerships will warranty them, some won't. Definitely try a different source. Your problem my be alignment related if you're talking about a slightly crooked (off center) steering wheel. Individual toe is adjustable from the tie rod on the rack n pinion steering assembly. And individual toe setting (alignment) may have changed. We're only talking about a 1/4 inch or much less even. The vehicle will always drive with both left and right toe equalized, so if one toe is at a different angle than the other side, the result is a crooked steering wheel. It's also possible a tire may have a radial belt shift slightly, causing a crooked wheel. The easiest way to prove that is to cross rotate the front wheels or rotate front-to-rear, which should result in the steering wheel shifting to the right, or it may even shift the steering wheel straight. Good luck!

 

[Jrgee72]

I was on the highway and it did not seem to have the same off centre steering wheel so I don't know what it is. Maybe the slight angle/slope of the road has something to do with it. The dealership will at least test the alignment for free they said and see if something is off.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Maybe?

TSB: 02-004/13

MULTI-MODEL - STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER WITHOUT DRIFT OR PULL

BULLETIN NOTE

This bulletin supersedes the previous bulletins 02-004/13 issued on 04/10/2013, 02-004/12 issued on 09/19/2012 and 02/19/13, 02-005/10 issued on 03/26/10 and 11/05/10. The APPLICABLE MODEL(S)VINS have been revised.

Changes are noted below in Red.

APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS

2011-2013 Mazda2

2004-2013 Mazda3

2006-2013 Mazda5

2003-2014 Mazda6

2013-2014 CX-5

2007-2012 CX-7

2007-2013 CX-9

2006-2013 MX-5

2004-2011 RX-8

2001-2011 Tribute

DESCRIPTION

Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3 even when driving straight on a flat road.



Customers having this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.

REPAIR PROCEDURE

1. Verify customer concern and make sure there is no drift or pull concern.
If the steering is pulling to the right or the left, this procedure does not apply. Refer to MS3 online instructions for troubleshooting.

2. Measure the offset using "Measurement of Steering Wheel Offset."
If the offset is 3 or less, it is considered normal.

If the offset is more than 3, adjust the steering wheel center using "Adjustment of Steering Wheel Center."

3. Verify repair.
Measurement of Steering Wheel Offset

4. Visually align the steering wheel to its center, then apply tape on the steering wheel and the steering column cover.


5. Put an alignment mark on the tape.


6. Drive the vehicle and align the steering wheel to its driving center, then put another mark on the tape.


7. Measure the distance between the two lines. The offset can be approximately calculated using 1mm = 1 of offset.


Adjustment of Steering Wheel Center

8. Put an alignment mark over the tie-rod end and tie-rod as shown.


9. Remove the boot clamp (A), then loosen the lock nut (B).


10. Rotate the tie-rod to adjust the steering wheel center. Refer to the following charts for rotating direction.
NOTE: Rotate both sides of the tie-rod by the same amount.

- Steering wheel offset direction and tie-rod rotating direction -

FRONT WHEEL DRIVE (Vehicles with steering gear mounted to the rear side of the front axle)

 

[Skorpio]

I was on the highway and it did not seem to have the same off centre steering wheel so I don't know what it is. Maybe the slight angle/slope of the road has something to do with it. The dealership will at least test the alignment for free they said and see if something is off.

Different roads can definitely change the steering wheel angle. On all before and after test drives, I always picked one flat straight road, and always used the same roads on every car I aligned to be consistent.

 

[Skorpio]

Maybe?

TSB: 02-004/13

MULTI-MODEL - STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER WITHOUT DRIFT OR PULL

This TSB is funny to me (especially the alignment tape), and sounds like it was written by an engineer. From a technician's POV, one can cut the steps by 4 or 5-

1. Verify customer concern and make sure there is no drift or pull concern. Take notice of nuances like noises, pull, steering wheel, suspension characteristics.
2. Drive vehicle on alignment rack, check all air pressures, check front end for looseness, walk around vehicle and check for damages or anything unusual.
3. Perform alignment check and place steering wheel to center after caster compensation, and if out of specifications, align vehicle into specification, starting with rear toe, then front toe. Double check steering wheel is centered.
4. Remove alignment heads, test drive again to confirm adjustments and vehicle tracks straight with centered wheel.
5. Speak to customer, explain what adjustments were made and how it improved the car, thank him/her for their business, hand them the keys and before/after alignment printout.
6. Go into the break room and down a pint of beer. (This one is optional depending on your employer)