11 replies to this topic

[Meekyman47]

My steering wheel is off to the left by about 30 degrees.

Does any body know how to center it ? It is probably an easy fix but as I am new to the world of mini's I would appreciate some guidance.

Many thanks
Mike

[conlad]

Turn your wheels so they are straight, and then whip off the steering wheel and center it that way, boom sorted

[Meekyman47]

Haha ok Il do that !

[Alex_B]

Thats what I did, you will need a 1 and 15/16th socket, loosen the nut but keep it on there a few turns, then loosen the wheel when the wheel feels loose take off the nut, re align steering wheel, replace straight, tighten nut, test drive then rinse and repeat if its still wonky :)

Important thing to remember is make sure nuts tight after and when loosening wheel keep nut on so you dont smack your self in the face when the wheel gives!

[Meekyman47]

I dont have a socket big enough :/

[Alex_B]

I had to borrow one from someone. you can get them fairly cheap on ebay and they are handy socket to have, used on the front subframe top mounts, and wheel hub castle nuts. :)

[tiger99]

There is one other thing you should do. Remove the rubber bung in the passenger side toeboard, and remove the plug in the steering rack which that reveals. Insert a 6 mm rod (plain end of a drill is ideal) and turn the wheel until it engages with the hole in the rack. Now remove, center and refit the wheel.

If it does not steer straight after doing that, the tracking has been adjusted assymetrically, and needs to be checked and reset.

Make sure that every time you get the tracking checked and adjusted, they insert the 6 mm rod, so evertyhing stays properly centred. It is actually very important for correct tracking, but many younger mechanics will have very little Mini experience and may not know that.

When you try to pull the wheel off its splines, please take care. People have whacked themselves in the face if it is tight and suddenly shifts.

Edited by tiger99, 08 September 2012 - 03:20 PM.

[Alex_B]

Thanks for that! I didnt know about the rod/ hole in passenger side, will make sure in future about that!

[Steely]

My steering wheel will onmy go on at an angle! Putting the wheels straight makes no difference??

[tiger99]

Well, if that is the case, you have non-standard parts on your car. The column and wheel are splined all the way round on a Mini, so it will fit anywhere. If not, something is amiss.

[jaydee]

When you try to pull the wheel off its splines, please take care. People have whacked themselves in the face if it is tight and suddenly shifts.

Classic! This and removing the gear knob from a bini.

[Noah]

Tip, take the bolt of but screw it back on a few turns.

Then pull it off so you dont get a face full of steering wheel.