Steering alignment out after servicing at Ford

[Falcon56]

So I took my XR6T into my local Ford dealer for its 45,000km service on Thursday. Sheared diff bushes got replaced under warranty, but other than that just an ordinary service.

Didn't notice anything amiss when I drove it home Friday morning, but driving to work later on I noticed that to drive straight, I had to have the wheel turned a bit to the right. If I had the wheel in the most upright position, the car would turn left quite rapidly.

I just want some opinions on the best course of action. Take it back to Ford to get this fixed (hopefully for free), or take it to somewhere like Pedders or Beaurepaires and pay for a realignment?

Cheers guys

[sprintman1]

Originally Posted by Falcon56

So I took my XR6T into my local Ford dealer for its 45,000km service on Thursday. Sheared diff bushes got replaced under warranty, but other than that just an ordinary service.

Didn't notice anything amiss when I drove it home Friday morning, but driving to work later on I noticed that to drive straight, I had to have the wheel turned a bit to the right. If I had the wheel in the most upright position, the car would turn left quite rapidly.

I just want some opinions on the best course of action. Take it back to Ford to get this fixed (hopefully for free), or take it to somewhere like Pedders or Beaurepaires and pay for a realignment?


Cheers guys

Typical. Just had the rear wheel bearings replaced on daughters Forester and it was way out after. Quick trip to the suspension shop and $56 and all correct.

[NTF6]

Both of my FG's had there steering wheel slightly to the left from new, I just got used to it. I don't know why they can't build them straight from the factory. Audi and BMW can.

[mik]

Originally Posted by NTF6

Both of my FG's had there steering wheel slightly to the left from new, I just got used to it. I don't know why they can't build them straight from the factory. Audi and BMW can.

They should have caught that on the pre delivery, half the problem there is getting the bloke... woops ... person /mechanic/apprentice doing the PD that is conchy enough to not say, "she`ll be right " , and just tick the box instead of actually checking the alignment, a common fault in some dealers unfortunately.

[Top_Ghia]

If they did diff bushes they've had the irs out. Your problem is the irs unit hasn't been put back in straight. Don't get a wheel alignment done. Take it back to the dealer and tell them to align the irs unit. If they look at you stupid find another dealer.
You can check for yourself if you want to stick your head under the back of it. Right at the back where the irs unit mounts to the body is the alignment holes. One is round and the other side is oval and about 1-2 inches in diameter right near the rear 18mm mounting bolts on the left and right hand sides. Also check for witness marks around the mounting nuts. If you can see witness marks around the 18mm mounting nuts then it hasn't been put back in the same spot and will be out.

[Jastel]

They may have just rotated the tyres for you.

[sprintman1]

Originally Posted by Jastel

They may have just rotated the tyres for you.

Meaning what exactly?

[Falcon56]

Originally Posted by Top_Ghia

If they did diff bushes they've had the irs out. Your problem is the irs unit hasn't been put back in straight. Don't get a wheel alignment done. Take it back to the dealer and tell them to align the irs unit. If they look at you stupid find another dealer.
You can check for yourself if you want to stick your head under the back of it. Right at the back where the irs unit mounts to the body is the alignment holes. One is round and the other side is oval and about 1-2 inches in diameter right near the rear 18mm mounting bolts on the left and right hand sides. Also check for witness marks around the mounting nuts. If you can see witness marks around the 18mm mounting nuts then it hasn't been put back in the same spot and will be out.

Thanks man, I'll check it out.

[Jastel]

If your tyres are wearing funny/different it can pull the steering a bit.
So can flat tyres.

[GO FURTHER]

If they have done a wheel alignment, (and assuming it's not an uneven tyre pressure problem), then this is a very common complaint from consumers after a poor alignment. The problem stems from the fact that the mechanic has not centred your steering wheel properly before locking it to the foot pedal before making the alignment adjustments. If you have to hold your steering wheel to the right to go in a straight line, it means a simple adjustment to each tie-rod.
In your case, I'd say if your steering wheel is off by just a few degrees and you are going to the left when you centre the steering wheel, then the driver's side tie-rod needs to be turned a quarter turn anti-clockwise to lengthen it, and the passenger side tie-rod a quarter turn clockwise to shorten it by an equal amount, so your alignment remains the same, but your steering wheel now becomes centred and your front wheels are pointing straight.