19 replies to this topic

[scomo52]

Hello

I've managed to get my mits on a 99 mini Paul Smith and I love it but there is one little thing that bugs me when driving in a straight line the steering wheel seems to be turning slightly to the right. It has an airbag so it's not as easy as just undoing a nut and moving it around slightly. Does anybody know what may be wrong and if I do need to take it off how is this done with it having a airbag.hope you guys can be of help because you never usually fail.

Regards
Scott

[mike.]

It won't be the steering wheel, they only go on one way. It'll be the tracking.

Take the car to a decent garage and get them to set it properly. Shouldn't cost too much.

[analogue_radio]

It won't be the steering wheel, they only go on one way. It'll be the tracking.

Take the car to a decent garage and get them to set it properly. Shouldn't cost too much.

On the later models?

Mine is a 1990 and I could have it upside down if I so wished. When did airbags come in?

[mike.]

Well yeah it could be wrong but you'd know about it if it was that. I mean it'd be like 20 degrees off if it was the steering wheel. If its only slightly it'll be tracking.

[scomo52]

When the wheels are straight the steering wheel sits, how can I put this at say 1o'clock direction it doesn't pull anyway but it isn't on wrong as I can tell. Does it go on some sort of sprocket I'm thinking it may just need moving around a a couple but I'm scared of setting off the airbag in doing so.

Scott

[L400RAS]

Get it tracked as Mike suggested. When there, just mention to them that the steering wheel isn't in the dead-ahead position and they can correct the amount you state. If the position of the wheel chamges during driving- this means the steering rack is loose or the rack-to-column splines are worn.

by the way, airbags were introduced with the mpi engines, approx 1996.

Hth
Ryan

[icklemini]

Wheel alignment needs doing... (assuming the steering wheel hasnt been off and put back on wrong)

[Colin cooper]

My steering wheel is the same (MPI), i thought it was just the wheel at first, but my newish tyre on the front drivers side is worn pretty much right down, only on one side (inside)...so, yeah it must be tracking or alignment, going to take to the garage when i get it back

[cooperrodeo]

Turn the steering wheel from lock to lock and work out what the middle is. You can then determine whether it is a steering wheel or tracking problem (or both!).

[scomo52]

Thanks guys for all your help. Everything has been taken into account and I think I'll get a garage to have a look at it this weekend. Cheers again

[maggies_minder]

can i hijack for a brief time?
i had my tracking done on saturday as the car has been pulling to the left,
the car was done with lasers and computers and by a lad who built a mini (i feel it was in good hands)

however the car still moves to the left, like above the steering wheel sits to the left and you have to steer to the right slightly to go in a straight line.
could this be a dodgy steering rack?

[Colin cooper]

can i hijack for a brief time?
i had my tracking done on saturday as the car has been pulling to the left,
the car was done with lasers and computers and by a lad who built a mini (i feel it was in good hands)

however the car still moves to the left, like above the steering wheel sits to the left and you have to steer to the right slightly to go in a straight line.
could this be a dodgy steering rack?

Not sure to be honest. Mine goes in straight line when i take my hands off the wheel (not advised ;p) But the wheel sits turned to the right a little (at about 1 clock)....something isn't right thought because my tyre shouldn't be worn like that...

[Boycie]

I do my own tracking, but if you take the car to a garage/ fast-fit kinda place, they'll normally clamp your steering wheel straight and line the front wheels up with the back ones with the laser equipment... this is ok but do some checks first.

It's a good idea to check that the steering wheel is on in the right place- it is splined to the column so can be 'out' by any amount.

Pull up the carpet on the passenger side and find the rubber grommet, sort of where your passenger's right foot would rest. If you remove this grommet, you'll reveal a hole through to the ground, obscured by the steering rack itself, and a plastic bung.
Unscrew this bung and see if you can insert a (6mm?) drill bit in the hole. Wiggle the steering wheel and it should drop down a little.
If this locates, you've found the centre position of the rack and the steering wheel should be dead level.
If the wheel is wonky, refit it in the correct position. If it is level, it's fine and probably just a tracking adjustment is needed.

Remove the drill bit, screw in the plug and push the rubber grommet back into the hole, making sure it seals.

While you have the carpets up, check the 4x 1/2" nuts which secure the steering rack to the body (two nuts on each side of the floorpan) are tight. Same goes for the 'pinch-bolt' at the base of the steering column.

[maggies_minder]

so basically if me steering is wonky even if they do the tracking it wont make a blind bit of difference?

[Boycie]

Not necessarily, it's just good to start at the bottom and work upwards! Kwik-Fit et al will never check that the rack is centered so do it yourself before they are let loose on your car..

Normally, the wheel sits off-centre because the track rod adjustment at the front is not equal side to side, ie there are more threads showing on one side than the other, but there's not a lot you can do about that unless you have your own stuff.

And a final point to depress everyone further! - the car is mainly guided/ steered by the back wheels when it's going along 'straight' anyway!