[lz33w7]

Hello, friends……

Dealership performed an alignment and they are aware the car has been lowered. I have the carbon fiber steering wheel and while driving, that metal strip and wheel are not perfect, meaning if that metal strip is dead center, the car goes to the right. They had problems with their machine but I’m taking the car back.

My question is, the wheel and metal strip should be straight and the car should track “straight” correct?

Kindly,
v/r,
Stephen

 

[82elky]

In my opinion, centering the steering wheel is part of an alignment.

 

[lz33w7]

In my opinion, centering the steering wheel is part of an alignment.

What I thought as well.

Kindly,
v/r,
Stephen

 

[timado404]

What I thought as well.

Kindly,
v/r,
Stephen

Yes, have them center it. 👍

 

[Pasha]

Absolutely should be centered, let me know if you need alignment specs for your lowering springs...

 

[Catmanv2]

Agreed with everyone else.

C

 

[lz33w7]

Absolutely should be centered, let me know if you need alignment specs for your lowering springs...

Hi Pasha,

Yes, please share. Great YouTube videos.

Kindly,
v/r,
Stephen

 

[lz33w7]

Yes, have them center it. 👍

Hi Tim,

Thank you, hope your new sound system is working out for you.

Kindly,
v/r,
Stephen

 

[lz33w7]

Agreed with everyone else.

C

Thank you, Catmanv2…hope you and Mrs. C are doing well. How far are you from where Bentley’s are made?

Kindly,
v/r,
Stephen

 

[lz33w7]

Hey guys -

Dealer just sent me this in an email….has anyone run into this before?

Kindly,

v/r,
Stephen

 

[timado404]

Hey guys -

Dealer just sent me this in an email….has anyone run into this before?

View attachment 165032

Kindly,

v/r,
Stephen

4 wheel alignment, minus the front toe and camber adjustments as well as the rear toe and camber adjustments.
So $400 to adjust the Caster...naahhh, never had this before.

 

[82elky]

if I understand correctly, you took the car to get aligned, the dealer aligns it, including a test drive, tells you everything is good - pay up, and a few days later they email you that they couldn’t align it. I would be displeased.
They should have let you know of problems before “completing” the work, which they could not complete. Did you wait there or drop the car off - as in were they easily able to get a hold of you or can the dealer say they couldn't reach you?

With lowered cars, sometimes the chamber and caster may not be possible to set perfectly. I am assuming it’s slightly lowered, not barely off the ground, so it should not be way off. If stuff is rusted frozen it’s another problem.

Not being able to set the toe is a problem. I would be surprised if lowering the car affects the geometry so much that the tie rods cannot be adjusted enough to set the toe. Those usually have a good bit of adjustment. The toe is set last, and is arguably the easiest to set and the most important. That’s also what sets the steering wheel straight.
Did you get the alignment measurements before and after?

I assume you already paid the dealer, so you are somewhat stuck with getting them to fix it. I would try to find out exactly what bolts/parts are a problem before making a plan going forward if/who/what needs to be fixed.

 

[psk]

When i got my gransport alligned, i also thought the same thing. But if you look closely, the dashboard itsself is not straight, so you think youre pointing the wheel straight with the silver metal line when comparing to the upper dashboard, but it isnt a good way to make sure your wheel is straight. An actually straight steering wheel appears slightly off to the left when comparing to the dashboard. This should be very slight. If it is extremely off, thats a different story.

 

[Catmanv2]

Thank you, Catmanv2…hope you and Mrs. C are doing well. How far are you from where Bentley’s are made?

Kindly,
v/r,
Stephen

All OK here, chap. About 150 miles. You heading over for a visit?

C

 

[lz33w7]

When i got my gransport alligned, i also thought the same thing. But if you look closely, the dashboard itsself is not straight, so you think youre pointing the wheel straight with the silver metal line when comparing to the upper dashboard, but it isnt a good way to make sure your wheel is straight. An actually straight steering wheel appears slightly off to the left when comparing to the dashboard. This should be very slight. If it is extremely off, thats a different story.

Very good point but, when I take my hand off the wheel, she pulls immediately to the right….appreciate the input. I’ll get a picture…

Kindly,
v/r,
Stephen

 

[lz33w7]

All OK here, chap. About 150 miles. You heading over for a visit?

C

Glad to hear that. I’m assuming you’re a couple hours drive as the crow flies….Yes, I am in the planning process…going on a couple of cruises this month for a “milestone” birthday, the traveling here in the States for work but it’s time I come across the pond.

Kindly,
v/r,
Stephen

 

[lz33w7]

if I understand correctly, you took the car to get aligned, the dealer aligns it, including a test drive, tells you everything is good - pay up, and a few days later they email you that they couldn’t align it. I would be displeased.
They should have let you know of problems before “completing” the work, which they could not complete. Did you wait there or drop the car off - as in were they easily able to get a hold of you or can the dealer say they couldn't reach you?

With lowered cars, sometimes the chamber and caster may not be possible to set perfectly. I am assuming it’s slightly lowered, not barely off the ground, so it should not be way off. If stuff is rusted frozen it’s another problem.

Not being able to set the toe is a problem. I would be surprised if lowering the car affects the geometry so much that the tie rods cannot be adjusted enough to set the toe. Those usually have a good bit of adjustment. The toe is set last, and is arguably the easiest to set and the most important. That’s also what sets the steering wheel straight.
Did you get the alignment measurements before and after?

I assume you already paid the dealer, so you are somewhat stuck with getting them to fix it. I would try to find out exactly what bolts/parts are a problem before making a plan going forward if/who/what needs to be fixed.

This is great intel, thank you very much…I would’ve thought the Service Tech would have explained that to me. The car itself is pretty low to the ground. I waited about 5 hours the first day, he told me their alignment machine was way off and they had to get it fixed and I should be good now. I then drove on the expressway and had the wheel positioned to the left…when I went to what I thought was “center” the car was pulling to the right. Yes, already paid the dealer, going back next week to have my original Service Advisor help me.
Your education on this matter is very helpful.

Kindly,
v/r,
Stephen

 

[Catmanv2]

Glad to hear that. I’m assuming you’re a couple hours drive as the crow flies….Yes, I am in the planning process…going on a couple of cruises this month for a “milestone” birthday, the traveling here in the States for work but it’s time I come across the pond.

Kindly,
v/r,
Stephen

More like 3-4 hrs TBH. Not a terribly direct route. Do let us know when you're planning

C