Steering wheel straight?

[rswestling]

We have a new 6.1 Ocean.

Our steering wheel is not level when driving straight on flat ground. (No, not measured against the stalks, rather relative to the seat and arm length and hand position, and no, not on a cambered road surface). It's very subtle, but my wife found the same thing and I did not lead the witness. The van does not pull in either direction, and travels straight when hands are off the wheel.

Our local dealer says that the 'master technician' drove the van and that the steering wheel is level. They said that if we still ask for a 4 wheel alignment and the car is found to be 'within specification' that it will cost us £640 to do the 4 wheel alignment. This is due to the ADAS (cameras) alignment that forms part of a 4 wheel alignment. I declined, how would I know if it was within spec or not? They will charge me no matter what. I'm bothered because this means that the car is running down the road slightly our of skew. What effect will this have on the tyres over time? The whole visit to the dealer was very disappointing. (I was also there regarding a leaking tailgate.). It's terrible that they treat customers as stupid ignortant people who have no idea.

Has anyone else experienced this on a new van? I've read some earlier posts on this but felt it was worth raising again. Did you get help from your dealer rather than obfiscation? If there is a dealer forum menbers have faith in, I'll drive to them to have it looked at.

Thanks, Robert

 

[Corradobrit]

What tyres do you have (Brand and size) and have you carefully checked pressures are correct per the manual?

 

[flying banana]

Road camber usually causes a slight steer wheel tilt unless the road is dead flat. I wouldn't worry too much about it. You could remove the steering wheel and try it one spline round on the shaft but would involve removal of the airbag

 

[WelshGas]

We have a new 6.1 Ocean.

Our steering wheel is not level when driving straight on flat ground. (No, not measured against the stalks, rather relative to the seat and arm length and hand position, and no, not on a cambered road surface). It's very subtle, but my wife found the same thing and I did not lead the witness. The van does not pull in either direction, and travels straight when hands are off the wheel.

Our local dealer says that the 'master technician' drove the van and that the steering wheel is level. They said that if we still ask for a 4 wheel alignment and the car is found to be 'within specification' that it will cost us £640 to do the 4 wheel alignment. This is due to the ADAS (cameras) alignment that forms part of a 4 wheel alignment. I declined, how would I know if it was within spec or not? They will charge me no matter what. I'm bothered because this means that the car is running down the road slightly our of skew. What effect will this have on the tyres over time? The whole visit to the dealer was very disappointing. (I was also there regarding a leaking tailgate.). It's terrible that they treat customers as stupid ignortant people who have no idea.

Has anyone else experienced this on a new van? I've read some earlier posts on this but felt it was worth raising again. Did you get help from your dealer rather than obfiscation? If there is a dealer forum menbers have faith in, I'll drive to them to have it looked at.

Thanks, Robert

A 4 wheel alignment is highly computerised and once set up and vehicle details entered into the computer you get a printout of the measured settings and how far out of tolerance they are. Then the necessary adjustments are made and the alignment checked again. So you would see before and after on the printouts.
If you are in the early stages of the warranty with minimal miles and adjustments are required it should be covered by the warranty. If not then you will be paying and the need to recalibrate the ADAS system adds to the cost.
As mentioned, tyre pressures across the axle are very important as is possible subtle movement due to potholes or kerbing of wheels.

 

[rswestling]

Thanks for the feedback. The first thing I did was check the tyre pressures, which were all low relative to the door jamb recommendation, but all the same. The van is brand new and on the OEM tyres. I noticed the issue within the first 50 miles of the van's life. I'm not new to driving, so of course I did take into account the road camber.

Based on Welshgas's response, I will ask that the dealer put the van on the machine and get a printout of the measured settings and ask what the allowable tolerance is. All prior to incurring any cost. They should do this at least...

 

[ArunAlec]

My T5.1’s steering wheel was a few degrees out following a VW recall. When I raised it with SMG they said it was within spec. In reality unless it’s way out you really don’t notice it, assuming it’s just the steering wheel and not geometry.

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks for the feedback. The first thing I did was check the tyre pressures, which were all low relative to the door jamb recommendation, but all the same. The van is brand new and on the OEM tyres. I noticed the issue within the first 50 miles of the van's life. I'm not new to driving, so of course I did take into account the road camber.

Based on Welshgas's response, I will ask that the dealer put the van on the machine and get a printout of the measured settings and ask what the allowable tolerance is. All prior to incurring any cost. They should do this at least...

I think they will charge you if the alignment is within tolerance, BUT not charge you if adjustment is required.
You could go to a 3rd party who does Hunter 4 wheel alignment for a check, will be cheaper, and if out of alignment then present to the Dealer to do his own check and adjustment.
Personally, if it drives straight and brakes straight and the steering wheel is less than 5 degrees off centre, I wouldn't bother myself.
Others on the T6 forum have had the same and had alignments with no change and then changed tyres due to normal wear and its gone.
You could try swapping wheels from side to side or front to back. That's worked for some.

 

[Corradobrit]

Thanks for the feedback. The first thing I did was check the tyre pressures, which were all low relative to the door jamb recommendation, but all the same. The van is brand new and on the OEM tyres. I noticed the issue within the first 50 miles of the van's life. I'm not new to driving, so of course I did take into account the road camber.

Based on Welshgas's response, I will ask that the dealer put the van on the machine and get a printout of the measured settings and ask what the allowable tolerance is. All prior to incurring any cost. They should do this at least...

There are several OEM tyres and wheel sizes eg 215, 235 etc 16, 17 and 18" from the factory. Can you let us know what the tyre sizes are and the Brand?

 

[rswestling]

Sure, 215/60/17 Continental Vancontact Eco. I was being lazy calling them OEM...it's cold and wet here, and I did not want to go outside to check.

I'm going to go to a Protyre nearby, with the correct machine, and get the van checked. If out, I'll take their report back to VW.

BTW, everyone has a differnet tolerance for all sorts of things. I have a very, very low tolerance for steering wheels being out of plumb. It's something I've been saddled with all my life. However, my wife, who does not suffer the same affliction, agrees it's out. She offered to do all the driving, but then I'd provide a running comment on her driving, so probably not a great idea.

 

[nickb77]

I had this on my 6.1. The dealer told me there was essentially a mileage window within which they would check the alignment under warranty. Can't remember the figures now as it was a couple of years ago. They did a 4 wheel alignment, confirmed it was out of spec and 'corrected' it, but the steering wheel was still wonky. I then took it to a local wheel alignment specialist who spent a good hour working on it, changed the grand sum of £48 and I drove away with a nice straight steering wheel and the steering just felt better afterwards, although that could just be my imagination. Didn't have any issues with the ADAS stuff, everything still works just fine.

 

[sidepod]

Go and drive it on a nice flat smooth French motorway. I guarantee it’ll be bang on.

 

[derek_j_buchanan]

It’s about the tyre fitting and alignment they did it with the wheel rotated. Bugged the hell out of me when they did it on my car and Cali. Laziness!!!!

 

[briwy]

Personally I would get it done away from the dealer. That cost us an outright ripoff. I had ours done recently for around £60.
If anything is found amiss you have some ammo to throw at the dealer. Just sounds like a usual dealer brush off.

 

[wheeledwidewebb]

When we picked up out t6.1 I complained that the wheel was not straight.

VW paid for a wheel alignment at our local dealer.

It made no difference.

In the end I sat in the truck whilst it was up on the ramp and positioned the steering wheel to be level and, in my opinion, correctly level/straight. The wheel alignment was then carried out whilst i held the wheel.

As soon as out on the road (no camber) the wheel appeared not straight ahead again.

So repeated the process up on the ramp and the wheel was still straight!

WTF.

Did another alignment anyway but nothing changed.

I don't know what is going on but I actually wonder if it is an illusion when you are driving it.

I have eventually given up caring.

 

[Corradobrit]

When we picked up out t6.1 I complained that the wheel was not straight.

VW paid for a wheel alignment at our local dealer.

It made no difference.

In the end I sat in the truck whilst it was up on the ramp and positioned the steering wheel to be level and, in my opinion, correctly level/straight. The wheel alignment was then carried out whilst i held the wheel.

As soon as out on the road (no camber) the wheel appeared not straight ahead again.

So repeated the process up on the ramp and the wheel was still straight!

WTF.

Did another alignment anyway but nothing changed.

I don't know what is going on but I actually wonder if it is an illusion when you are driving it.

I have eventually given up caring.

Whatever the issue it can't be related to the steering system as VW switched from hydraulic to electro mechanical in the T6.1. Could be suspension or axle components introducing some wooliness in the chassis which is then transmitted through the linkages to the steering wheel? Just a guess.

 

[Greg&Mel Australian Cali]

The steering wheel on my T6.1 was also not straight from new. Nothing to do with the road. I suspect I am a little OC as it really annoyed me. VW did a wheel alignment on it under warranty and it is now level. As it is fly by wire steering I don’t understand how the wheel alignment fixes it but happy with the result.

 

[sidepod]

As it is fly by wire steering

Are you sure you understand this?

 

[andyinluton]

As it is fly by wire steering I don’t understand how the wheel alignment fixes it but happy with the result.

It’s not fly by wire, it’s a traditional steering column linked to a fancy electrically assisted rack.

 

[sidepod]

Vehicle design/construction regulations don’t allow for a steering system to be mechanically decoupled , same as braking systems.

 

[andyinluton]

Vehicle design/construction regulations don’t allow for a steering system to be mechanically decoupled , same as braking systems.

I hope the regulations have changed as Toyota have some steer by wire models - including the Lexus RZ450e

 

[sidepod]

So it has no mechanical steering column connected to the rack? And it’s available to buy in Europe/US?

 

[andyinluton]

So it has no mechanical steering column connected to the rack? And it’s available to buy in Europe/US?

Correct, no mechanical link, available in the UK Q1 2024 already available elsewhere.

 

[sidepod]

Hmmmm still not convinced. Electrical failure and you can’t steer the vehicle,

 

[Kayleigh]

Correct, no mechanical link, available in the UK Q1 2024 already available elsewhere.

Steering wheel is still not straight though..