Steering wheel - alignment

1 Owing to the fact that the steering wheel is located on a hexagon shaped steering shaft, it may be difficult to obtain perfect steering wheel alignment due to lack of fine adjustment.

2 It is therefore acceptable to adjust the tierods to give unequal lengths.

3 Check that the front roadwheels are in the straight-ahead position and that the toe setting is as specified.

4 If the steering wheel is more than 30° out of alignment, remove it and centralise it as much as possible on its shaft.

5 To adjust the steering wheel through a small angle, carry out the following operations.

6 Release the tie-rod balljoint locknuts.

7 Turn one tie-rod clockwise and the opposite one anti-clockwise by the identical amount. For every 1° of steering wheel angular error, turn each tie-rod through 30°.

8 Once the steering wheel has been centralised (front wheels in straight-ahead position), retighten the tie-rod balljoint locknuts.

9 Although the toe setting should not have altered, check the front wheel alignment as described in Section 27.

    See also:

    Front disc caliper - removal, overhaul and refitting
    Caution: Refer to the precautions in Section 1. Removal 1 Apply the handbrake, loosen the relevant roadwheel nuts, then jack up the front of the vehicle and support on axle stands. (see “Jacking ...

    Centre console - removal and refitting
    Models up to 1990 Full length console 1 Where applicable, prise the electric window switches from the front upper console panel and disconnect the wiring. 2 Remove the three securing screws from ...

    Initial start-up after overhaul or major repair
    1 Make a final check to ensure that everything has been reconnected to the engine and that no rags or tools have been left in the engine bay. 2 Check that oil and coolant levels are correct. 3 S ...