Old Library

After being told by two different dealers that wheel cannot be re-centered
without doing an alignment, I bought a Bentley and found out that was dealer
BS.

There are several steps, none of them particularly complicated. Make sure
you have your radio code handy, as you have to disconnect the battery. As
always, the usual disclaimers apply, YMMV, etc.

1) Disconnect the negative battery cable.

2) Remove the two hex-head bolts on the back side of the wheel that hold the
airbag module in place and remove the module. I left it plugged in and
rested it on top of the wheel while I worked on it.

3) Remove the large nut in the center of the wheel. Pull the wheel off the
splines just far enough to rotate it to the proper position, and push it
back on the shaft.

4) Replace the large nut in the middle of the wheel, torquing it to 37
lb-ft. Coat the threads on the airbag bolts with thead locker, replace the
airbag module and tighten the bolts to 58 lb-in. (you read that right).

5) Replace the negative battery cable. Brace yourself for the alarm horn
blast when you do so.

6) Reprogram you radio.

Dave



>Hello, Listers,
>
>This problem with off-center steering wheels is apparently widespread.  The
>wheel on my '99 GTI VR6 is also off center.  Circumstances did not permit
>me to delay taking delivery of the car until it was re-centered, so now I
>don't have any leverage with the service people.  I don't have a Bentley
>yet, but how complicated is the procedure for centering the wheel?  Is it a
>DIY with basic tools kind of job, or is it a nightmare?  My dealer actually
>might do it without a fuss, but I would prefer not leave the car with them
>for the time it would take to get the thing lined up if I can do it myself.
>
>Thanks!
>
>Mike
>
>
>
>
>--
>For info on: how to subscribe & unsubscribe, the list's tech/how-to
>    library, etc.  see:   http://www.panix.com/~aqn/GTI_VR6/gti_vr6_list/
>

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It's a pretty easy procedure, just takes a bit of patience.
Tools: Open end wrench (not sure of size, but basic metric), Vise grips. A
couple of low-level ramps helps too.

What you need to do is adjust the tie-rod ends in equal-opposite amounts
until you have it centered.

It's a bit tricky to visualize, but if your wheel is turned to the left a
bit you want to adjust the tie rods such that your wheel is turned to the
right w/o moving the tires (wow, don't think that made sense).
So, in this example, you'd take out a bit of slack on the left side & add a
bit of distance on the right.

Depending on how far off your wheel is, I'd go one-flat (on the tie rod
"wrench flats" at a time). Always equal amounts on both sides.

To adjust:
.5) (optional) drive the car up on a couple of 2X6's (or other equally low
ramps)
1) Turn the wheel all-the-way left to adjust the right-side, and vice versa
2) from behind the wheel:
3) loosen the jam/lock nut on the tie rod (on the threaded end of the tie
rod closest to the wheel). I did this by grabbing the meaty part of the
tie-rod-end w/vice-grips to hold it steady, and then turned the lock nut
w/the open-ended wrench.
4) turn the tie-rod itself the desired distance. Go slowly, 1-flat is a
deceptively large amount of steering-wheel angle.
5) IMPORTANT: reach in & rotate the end of the inner dust boot to un-kink it
(from the turn you just made). Just grab on to the end of the dust boot
where it attaches to the tie rod & twist with a little force, it'll turn
6) tighten the lock nut

7) exactly duplicate your adjustment (in the opposite direction, of course)
at the other wheel (steps 1-6). In other words, if you threaded the
right-side IN, thread the left side OUT the same amount.

8) go drive it & see how the wheel feels
9) repeat steps 1-7 as necessary until you're satisfied.

If you get lost, go get an alignment at a local shop.

Scott Stiles
'98 GTI VR6

>
>Date: Thu, 22 Oct 1998 16:59:16 -0500
&gt;From: Mike Arnett &lt;&#109;ike&#64;mailplex<img src=/i/dc.gif border=0 width=35 height=15>&gt;
>Subject: [gti-vr6] off-center steering wheels
>
>Hello, Listers,
>
>This problem with off-center steering wheels is apparently
>widespread.  The
>wheel on my '99 GTI VR6 is also off center.  Circumstances did
>not permit
>me to delay taking delivery of the car until it was
>re-centered, so now I
>don't have any leverage with the service people.  I don't have
>a Bentley
>yet, but how complicated is the procedure for centering the
>wheel?  Is it a
>DIY with basic tools kind of job, or is it a nightmare?  My
>dealer actually
>might do it without a fuss, but I would prefer not leave the
>car with them
>for the time it would take to get the thing lined up if I can
>do it myself.
>
>Thanks!
>
>Mike
>

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For info on: how to subscribe & unsubscribe, the list's tech/how-to
    library, etc.  see:   http://www.panix.com/~aqn/GTI_VR6/gti_vr6_list/