Inturrisi

Not sure if this is a stupid question honestly because I know installing headers requires moving around lots of parts but... Had my headers installed recently and my wheel alignment is very much way off compared to how it was when I dropped it off.

I'm going to get an alignment this week, but I just thought it was weird and I didn't see anyone else on here ever talk about it. Has anyone had this same experience?!

deadlyvt

Most people separate the steering column so if it got put back incorrectly it will have your steering wheel angled to the side. The wheel alignment it self shouldn’t have been touched don’t get near the tie rods or suspension to do headers

Inturrisi

ugh... thanks!

lekoza

You can fix this by adjusting the steering wheel itself. You'll have to take off the airbag and then the steering wheel, but not hard. About a 15 min job.

Inturrisi

Thanks, Ill talk to my local shop and worst case I will just get a fresh alignment

benben01

Out of curiosity.. What headers did you get?

Jasonoff

Make sure the steering angle sensor is at 0 before setting toe.

Inturrisi

Do I let the shop know about that or check myself somehow? I have no knowledge about alignment and "toe" etc although I should probably learn lol

Inturrisi

https://valvetronic.com/products/w20...atless-headers

ExtremisTy

After getting my headers installed, I had a similar problem. Took the car to three different shops to fix the alignment, and none could get it back into spec. The third shop got close, but they also say that it looks like my subframe was slightly shifted over toward one side at some point - presumably during the header install - and that I'll have to bring it back in at some point to get that fixed before they can finally get the alignment back into spec.

Fwiw, I wouldn't recommend "fixing" this just by adjusting the steering wheel angle. You might get your steering wheel back to center, but you car will be dog tracking unless you fix the subframe/alignment issue first.

Inturrisi

hmmm ok Thanks, I will have my shop inspect and see whats going on this Friday

skullbox15

Hmmm, I noticed mine is way off now. I put new rear wheels and tires on, but before that, the dealer replaced my engine mounts under warranty. Could they have screwed that up? My steeling wheel is off a good 3 degrees.

Phil1305

They pulled the steering rack and/or popped the steering column up as I did on my car. It needs to be set back in the right spline to be back to center.

DO NOT get an alignment because the steering specs are fine, it is only you steering wheel that is off.

roadtalontsi

Only if the subframe was removed

ExtremisTy

Best of luck. I'd be keen on hearing how they resolve it.

I'm no mechanic, but I could imagine this being a similar issue. At the very least, you might have someone check. The last thing you'd want to do is just realign your steering wheel and have your car dog tracking.

Inturrisi

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Ok so, he checked out all of the steering components and said everything looked good. Took it for a drive, and then performed the alignment and took it out again to check.

Car feels completely fine and drives perfectly straight... I drove it all of yesterday. I think everything is ok ? I do not feel any play in the steering wheel and it handles just as it always has.

Inturrisi

How does this look guys? I do not know much about alignment specs lol.

ExtremisTy

Again, I'm no mechanic, but it looks like you're within spec all the way around. So long as you're within spec, the steering wheel is straight, and the car drives as it should, you've got every reason to be happy.