Lancia Beta Forum

Technical stuff => Steering => Topic started by: Ferrit on October 17, 2025, 10:40:28 AM

Title: Steering wheel not on straight?
Post by: Ferrit on October 17, 2025, 10:40:28 AM
So car is moving about under its own steam now.  Steering wheel is on correctly but its not straight, its at 2pm'ish.  Is this a pure traking will sort or do I need to move something.  What should be my plan of attack? 

I was thinking I should see if I can adjust the current settings on the steering ie one turn in and the other out.  Tracking being checked at the end of the month with new tyres being fitted.

Mark
Title: Re: Steering wheel not on straight?
Post by: Neil-yaj396 on October 17, 2025, 12:46:26 PM
Having the tracking done should sort this. Mine is similar.
Title: Re: Steering wheel not on straight?
Post by: peteracs on October 17, 2025, 10:38:17 PM
Hi Neil/Mark

Not necessarily.

First port of call is to establish the end points left and right and then move the steering wheel half the turns back which equates to straight ahead. Then look at where the wheel sits, it should be correct, if not you need to disconnect at the base of the column and rotate to suit. If this is not done the rack will not be centred. Then you can adjust the track rods.

Peter
Title: Re: Steering wheel not on straight?
Post by: JohnFol on October 17, 2025, 10:46:35 PM
Does that assume the rack and track rod ends are symmetrical? That is, wheels straight when steering box in "middle position" rather than unequal lengths?
Title: Re: Steering wheel not on straight?
Post by: peteracs on October 17, 2025, 11:31:14 PM
Hi

Ideally disconnect the track rods from the hub so it does not affect the rack movement, if not practical (normally not) set them so the track rods are similar lengths and the wheels pointing straight ahead at mid point.

Peter
Title: Re: Steering wheel not on straight?
Post by: Ferrit on October 18, 2025, 12:06:33 AM
thanks for this, I will have a play
Title: Re: Steering wheel not on straight?
Post by: Ferrit on October 28, 2025, 10:58:23 AM
Does that assume the rack and track rod ends are symmetrical? That is, wheels straight when steering box in "middle position" rather than unequal lengths?

Good point.  I will try and figure out when the wheels are off this week.
Title: Re: Steering wheel not on straight?
Post by: Ferrit on November 06, 2025, 03:01:38 PM
I am thinking the column is a couple hours out.  I will try releaseing the UJ's and see if I can move a couple hours back.

Track rods are equal each side and L2L is c1.5 x2 equals what Haynes says = 3.1