Ok here is my problem to add to the growing number of alignment issues. My car is pulling to the right…maybe. It’s hard for me to tell because the Z steering is kind of sensitive and because of the road crown but I generally drive with my steering wheel turned slightly to the left to keep the car straight and this is starting to bother me. If I am on the left side of the crown (i.e. the passenger side wheels are slightly higher than the driver wheels) the steering wheel is straight and the car is straight). If I am in the center or on the right side of the crown (i.e. passenger wheels lower than driver side wheels) the car pulls to the right if I let the steering wheel go.

I took my car to the dealer today to get the alignment done. They checked my alignment and told me it was within spec. I asked to see the numbers but was told that they only do a printout if they actually do the alignment. They told me they’ll check tire wear when I bring my car for an oil change (now I have to let them do the oil change), jacked up my tire pressure to 41 psi (WTF it is 35 on the sticker in my car!) and sent me on my way.

On my way to work I tried a different experiment. If I hold the steering wheel straight (I use the turn signal and the wiper switch as reference) the car pulls significantly to the right anywhere on the road.

So what the hell does all this mean? Is my dealership feeding me BS just so they don’t have to do the alignment? Is it possible for the steering wheel to be out of alignment on a car that has just 1700 miles on it?

If the steering wheel issue were possible, how hard would it be to adjust on a Z? I am not planning to do this myself; I just want to know what I am in for when I tell the service guy to adjust my steering wheel.

Anyway, your thoughts, comments, and advice would be appreciated


Dmitry

 

something is definitely misadjusted in your car. since the dealer "says" the alignment checks out, the only other thing I can think of is your steering rack not being centered. but I'd double check the alignment first. the dealer is probably lying.

did your car do this from the very beginning?

 

Yes, I am pretty sure.

 

I imagine your dealer is incompetent. I had the stearing rack replaced in my Talon under warrenty. I took it back immediately because it wasn't aligned properly. They claimed to check it, say everthing is OK. I left out of the country for a while, let my buddy (chief engineer) drive it, he says WTF is wrong with your steering? He drops it off at the dealer, they say it is fine, they all drive like that. I get back home, pick up the car, drive down to the beach and back, look at the tires and the steel belts are showing! I took it back to dealer for the 3rd time, say look at these tires. They finally replaced the tires and properly aligned the car.

 

Dmitry,

Your problem is very, very, common. All three of my Nissan's, which I have purchased over the last 2.5 years, including my 350z have had crooked steering wheels.

The car may be aligned, but the steering wheel is not aligned with the wheels.

Thus, in order to maintain a straight line, you must tilt the wheel to the left or the right.

This is an internal alignment issue, that is the car may very well be aligned, but the wheel is not aligned to the car. Often this can be fixed by removing the steering wheel, though in most cases the car must be properly aligned.

My car was delivered with the wheel, off to the right. I took it back in last monday and now the wheel is off to the left! I am very sensitive to this issue! I will be taking it back in tomorrow.

Do not deal with this issue any further. I would call Nissan Customer Care, and report this problem. They will see to it that your car is properly adjusted.

This is a minor issue that should be dealt with, no hassle should be involved, tell your dealer to make it right!


Good Luck,
Eric

 

Thanks for the reply. I am also sensitive to this issue (Actually, to be completely honest it is pissing me off). I did some more experiments over the weekend and I am beginning to think more and more that it is an internal alignment issue. Previously, I had a feeling that the car was pulling to the right because I was setting the steering wheel straight before letting it go. However, if I set the car straight and let go of the steering wheel - the car pretty much tracks straight if it is on the center of the road crown. So my gut feeling for now is to trust my dealership (i.e. agree with them that the alignment on my car is correct). I will call Nissan and the dealer again so they can fix the steering wheel.

Eric, how long did it take them to fix your steering? Did they have to take apart a lot of stuff or was it a simple fix?

My only concern is amount of work required to fix something like that. I will think twice about taking my car to the dealer if this fix requires them to disassemble half the car. I didn’t get a chance to buy a service manual yet but if any of you can look through it and tell me what I am getting myself into I would greatly appreciate it.

Dmitry

 

No need to worry, its an easy fix.

I dont think you will want to try it yourself, as the car will need to be aligned. The other option is to do one of the following: Pull the steering wheel, or pull the steering arm, I would not attempt either, you will never get it straight.



I took mine to the dealer, picked it up, and now the steering wheel is off to the left! Sons of &^$^#^&#, so I am taking it back in about an hour.

Its an easy issue, where they dont have to take apart the car.

It is pretty annoying,
Eric

 

who's your dealer?