Rob Kwate

The title pretty much says it all. I just put on 4 new Michelin pilot super sports on my 96 Carerra 2. 18" wheels, stock tire sizes. Before the new tires, the steering wheel was perfectly straight when driving straight down the road. I put on the new tires and immediatley noticed that the steering wheel is off center slightly to the left, about 5 degrees or so. There is no reason why the alignment should be off. I haven't bumped a curb or anything, and the problem started immediately after the new tires were put on. I just can't understand how new tires could cause this. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Rob.

TheOtherEric

Did you let a tire shop remove your wheels and change the tires? Remember, they like to sell alignments, so I wouldn't be surprised if they gave a couple quick turns on a tie rod so you'd have to come back, hat in hand, and say "shucks i guess i needed that alignment after all."

FWIW, i would never ever let a tire shop turn a wrench near my 993.

TMc993

Rob,

Inflation is correct on all tires?

I would suspect that your new tires have revealed an pre-existing alignment problem that didn't manifest itself with your old tires. I had cars that "drove straight" until I put new tires on them, then required an alignment.

Also, sometimes new tires can have a structural defect that causes pulling to one side, but that's pretty rare these days.

EDIT: The other Eric has a point. My statement was based on the assumption that one can trust those that work on their cars.

Terry

Rob Kwate

No, I took the wheels minus the center caps and valve stem caps to the tire shop (Costco) in the back of my pickup, so they never touched the car.

CamsPorsche

Me too. Its probably the fact that your older tires didn't allow the car to exhibit a bad alignment. I have another shop doing the alignment now.

TMc993

They are mounted to rotate in the proper direction...Correct?

Rob Kwate

Terry,

The car doesn't pull to one side. It drives straight. The only problem is that the steering wheel is off center. One question I have is if it does need an alignment, can I just have the tie rods re-set to straighten the steering wheel or do I need the whole 4-wheel alignment? The closest place that can do the 4-wheel alignment is 7 hours away.

Rob Kwate

I was thinking about the directiontoo, but the tires are non-directional.

The Brewmeister

The point about inflation here is an important one. I have NEVER had tires installed, even by my indy, and not had them over inflated. I think more pressure is needed to seat the bead and then the pressure is not adjusted afterwards. Since you took the wheels to the shop yourself they had no way of knowing what the correct pressure is.

TMc993

Rob,

Sorry....Once I get past inflation, directionality, same sized tires side-to-side, and pulling or not pulling, I've exhausted my skill set.

Hope you find an answer without the 7-hour drive (Yikes!)

Terry

TheOtherEric

If you need a front alignment after checking the above, I wouldn't drive 7 hrs for it. Get some fishing line, long poles, and set up some strings. Or simply buy some toe plates, which are close enough for street use (and good to have anyway. see longacre web site for a nice kit). All you need is to set the front toe (tie rods) so spending 7 hrs plus cost of a 4-wheel alignment is a bit much.

Toe plates would take like 1 hour start to finish.

If you want to be more exact, use the string method:
- Bright color fishing line
- 2 metal conduit poles from home depot, with holes drilled the exact same distance apart on each pole, then run the fishing line thru.
- Cheap tiles ($1 ea) from home depot, with grease between them, to act as turn plates so the front suspension will settle.
- Set the poles on jack stands, square the strings to the wheels front to rear, and duct tape so they don't move.
- Digital caliper ($15 from harbor freight) to measure toe. Adjust as needed.

stace

I could be wrong here but when I watched Jeff Gamroth's crew at Rothsport do my last alignment / corner balance I remember a fine adjustment at the base of the steering column where it connects to the steering rack. it didn't change the alignment but merely centered the steering wheel. any of our more skilled experts here chime in and validate that? its annoying when the wheel isn't centered!

993/907

Probably a long shot....but my steering wheel went off center as the original steering rack went bad.
In fact, I could "relocate" the steering wheel by giving it a hard jerk in either direction.

Rob Kwate

Stace:

It's funny you mention Jeff Gamroth at Rothsport since Jeff is the one who did the alignment for me. I called Jeff this morning. He said the problem is caused by the new tires "tracking" differently than the old tires. The car is not out of alignment. It's just that the steering wheel is off center from how the new tires are tracking down the road. Jeff said to bring the car in and he would center the steering wheel for me. Stand up guy. When I told him I was 7 hours away, he explained to me how to do it. I'll give it a shot tonight. Thanks for the replies.

Elonash

I can't understand this justification.

If after getting back my car from a shop for new shoes the steering wheel becomes off centered then I would suspect that one of the mechanics had a lot of fun testing the car...