Steering wheel not straight

[richie_jones]

I`ve noticed that my steering wheel is a bit off center when travelling in a straight line. I can only presume that the wheel has been removed in its past life and not been put on straight. The car doesn`t throw up any fault codes. Can i just remove the wheel and replace a few splines different or will this mess up the steering angle sensor...

[warp_speed]

Its possible that the steering wheel has not been refitted correctly but its maybe an idea to go and get the steering geometry checked, just in case the car has had a knock and thrown the steering off.

[richie_jones]

Possible but the car drives straight and I don't suffer any unusual tyre wear, but it's a fair point...

[blackpool1974]

If you take the wheel off you can only move 1 spline as the airbag connector fits through a hole in the wheel and if you move it too much it wont fit.

regarding the maybe dodgy geometry, just drive on a flat road straight and let go of the wheel, does the car go straight ?? if it does then the wheel has been off and not put back on properly.

If you cannot make the steering wheel straight by moving 1 spline, then unless you have vagcom diagnostic software do not attempt it, as you will have to undo the airbag connector and mess with the steering sensor, not advised

[richie_jones]

I do have vag com, is it an easy procedure to reprogram. I've got no issues about removing the airbag, probably needs 3-4 splines...

[benjie]

The steering angle sensor sorts itself out after a 100-200m drive in my B6 TDI, I've had the wheel off 3 times since I've owned it without a problem. Make sure the battery negative lead is removed. 2 screws on the back of the wheel for the airbag, yellow sensor on the back of the airbag off, additional wiring off (if you have a multi-function steering wheel), big spline bolt thing (can't remember the size) off, slide wheel off and move it around a little.

[blackpool1974]

Trouble is that if he has to move more than 1 spline which he does, he will have to move the angle sensor to get the wheel to fit back on, the sensor will then think when going straight that he is turning, so if turns sharply in a certain direction the sensor will think he is in trouble and ESP will kick in

He will need to undo the steering sensor (out of the steering module) and then recalibrate once he is happy that the weheel is straight.

[Tractorman]

Silly question, but are LH and RH locks the same distance from straight ahead? It could be something simple like some moron not setting steering alignment properly. My old Passat was like that (and the Mk4 Golf is a little). Instead of working out which track rod to adjust, they to the first they come to and the steering can end up a mile off straight - the Passat was "5 past 7" when going straight!