[frankenzstein]

Has anyone here encountered the off center steering wheel issue? Seems it is pretty common. I was just wondering if anyone was able to resolve it, or has figured out the cause?
I had the alignment looked at, and it was perfectly fine, they tweaked it a bit to get it as perfect as they could and gave me all the printouts of the results, so alignment won't fix this.

I have read on the interwebz that this off center steering issue affects many elantra's out of Korea. Not sure what else though. Has anyone been able to fix this? Thanks

[Phil №❶]

How off centre is it and in which direction

[Just Rick]

had it with both my I30's,every time you have a wheel alignment done they have to reset the self centering control,my steering wheels never went that far off centre,but it was annoying seeing the wheel a bit of centre,not sure how they reset it but once done hasn't happened again

[CraigB]

My Steering wheel was at 2 O'clock when I bought it, a year and a half later Hyundai still hadn't fixed it but the guys at West State Tyres rectified it for me when they fitted my new rims an tyres.

[frankenzstein]

How off centre is it and in which direction

It is very slightly off to the right. If you center the wheel while driving, the car will veer to the left. More noticeable on the hwy at higher speeds... but it always does it.

[frankenzstein]

had it with both my I30's,every time you have a wheel alignment done they have to reset the self centering control,my steering wheels never went that far off centre,but it was annoying seeing the wheel a but of centre,not sure how they reset it but once done hasn't happened again

Interesting ... so i guess I will have to ask them if they did this, and if not, ask them to do it.

[Phil №❶]

I was just checking it wasn't just road camber, however as has been stated, it should be reset by your tyre specialists.

[frankenzstein]

I was just checking it wasn't just road camber, however as has been stated, it should be reset by your tyre specialists.

Yeah, i was thinking it might be the road as well, although i drive the same routes i did with my civic, this car handles completely differently, so i took it to a flat surface, and it still has the issue.

[eye30]

To check camber not the issue you need a road which will allow you to drive on the wrong side so you can compare a drive on the correct side and see the angle of the steering wheel then do the same length on the wrong side and see what happens.

[frankenzstein]

To check camber not the issue you need a road which will allow you to drive on the wrong side so you can compare a drive on the correct side and see the angle of the steering wheel then do the same length on the wrong side and see what happens.

Camber has been adjusted and is well within spec. Also, I did try what you have mentioned, and all though not as apparent, the issue is still there.

[eye30]

To check camber not the issue you need a road which will allow you to drive on the wrong side so you can compare a drive on the correct side and see the angle of the steering wheel then do the same length on the wrong side and see what happens.

Camber has been adjusted and is well within spec. Also, I did try what you have mentioned, and all though not as apparent, the issue is still there.

Sorry i mean the camber on the road

[Lorian]

I don't know if this will work, but you could try:
 1. Disconnecting +ve terminal from battery
 2. Reconnect after a minute
 3. start car.
 4. EPS light will be on. Steer full left then full right.
 5. turn off
 6. start car again and test. EPS light will be off

I know it recalibrates the angle sensor, but if it will fix an off-centre wheel, don't know, but might be worth a try.

[frankenzstein]

I don't know if this will work, but you could try:
 1. Disconnecting +ve terminal from battery
 2. Reconnect after a minute
 3. start car.
 4. EPS light will be on. Steer full left then full right.
 5. turn off
 6. start car again and test. EPS light will be off

I know it recalibrates the angle sensor, but if it will fix an off-centre wheel, don't know, but might be worth a try.

I wonder if this is the same as "reset the self centering control" .. if it is, it just might work. Thanks for the explanation on how to do it!

[pidim]

I have that too!  I don't know if I've always had it but when I changed my tyres I think I only noticed it then, so I went and had a wheel alignment thinking it was that and I mentioned this to the tyre place.  After the alignment, it was still the same and the guy said that this was normal due to road camber, but we have 2 other cars in the family and they're not like this.  I ignored the issue as the tyre place didn't see this as a problem as there was no tyre wear issue involved that needed to be addressed.

I'm a bit p---d off now seeing that they need to electronically self- centre the wheel as part of this procedure.

[Dazzler]

Sounds like a minor issue but is really quite serious and could cause an accident if you were distracted (drag you into the other lane!)

Hope Lorian's suggestion fixes it! 

[Johnno]

If your handy with spanners loosen off the bottom knuckle on the steering column that goes into the bullk head gently slide it up and off the spline and turn the steering wheel anti clockwise one tooth and slide it back on and tighten and see how that goes

[frankenzstein]

I have that too!  I don't know if I've always had it but when I changed my tyres I think I only noticed it then, so I went and had a wheel alignment thinking it was that and I mentioned this to the tyre place.  After the alignment, it was still the same and the guy said that this was normal due to road camber, but we have 2 other cars in the family and they're not like this.  I ignored the issue as the tyre place didn't see this as a problem as there was no tyre wear issue involved that needed to be addressed.

I'm a bit p---d off now seeing that they need to electronically self- centre the wheel as part of this procedure.

If you didn't notice it before you changed your tires, then it probably happened at that time, if they did an alignment. They probably did not center the wheel properly when they did it, apparently this is fairly common among all brands of cars with electronic steering. Mine came from the factory this way, but either way, our alignment is good, so we wont get premature tire wear ... just the annoyance of an off centre wheel. I will probably give that method posted by Lorian above a try this weekend. If you try it too, let us know how it goes!

[frankenzstein]

If your handy with spanners loosen off the bottom knuckle on the steering column that goes into the bullk head gently slide it up and off the spline and turn the steering wheel anti clockwise one tooth and slide it back on and tighten and see how that goes

The steering wheels on these cars are keyed, they cannot be manually adjusted by removal and replacement unfortunately. Not like the good ol days anymore.

[Surferdude]

If your handy with spanners loosen off the bottom knuckle on the steering column that goes into the bullk head gently slide it up and off the spline and turn the steering wheel anti clockwise one tooth and slide it back on and tighten and see how that goes

Being careful not to set off the airbag.

[Surferdude]

I don't know if this will work, but you could try:
 1. Disconnecting +ve terminal from battery
 2. Reconnect after a minute
 3. start car.
 4. EPS light will be on. Steer full left then full right.
 5. turn off
 6. start car again and test. EPS light will be off

I know it recalibrates the angle sensor, but if it will fix an off-centre wheel, don't know, but might be worth a try.

I wonder if this is the same as "reset the self centering control" .. if it is, it just might work. Thanks for the explanation on how to do it!

The "Steering angle sensor" is the term I know it by, too. I'm guessing the "self centering control" is just someone else's terminology for it.
I did it slightly differently on the one occasion I had the issue earlier in the life of my car.
Didn't disconnect battery.
Found a flat (truly flat) section of road - drove forward about 20m with the wheel in the position it wants to take in the straight ahead - stopped - turn wheel fully left then fully right then to centre with spokes aligned horizontally. Fixed it.
Think I found this solution on a BMW site.
Along with several explanations of how it "couldn't work". It did.

Maybe cruiserfied can offer something here. I seem to remember there's a tool Hyundai uses to reset the steering angle sensor and it's not available to everyone so unless the latest updates to wheel alignment machines have something added, I doubt non-dealer options exist.

However, my information is about 3 years out of date.

[Surferdude]

If your handy with spanners loosen off the bottom knuckle on the steering column that goes into the bullk head gently slide it up and off the spline and turn the steering wheel anti clockwise one tooth and slide it back on and tighten and see how that goes

The steering wheels on these cars are keyed, they cannot be manually adjusted by removal and replacement unfortunately. Not like the good ol days anymore.

I think Johnno is referring to further down the steering column. Not up where you would normally remove a steering wheel.

[pidim]

I don't know if this will work, but you could try:
 1. Disconnecting +ve terminal from battery
 2. Reconnect after a minute
 3. start car.
 4. EPS light will be on. Steer full left then full right.
 5. turn off
 6. start car again and test. EPS light will be off

I know it recalibrates the angle sensor, but if it will fix an off-centre wheel, don't know, but might be worth a try.

I wonder if this is the same as "reset the self centering control" .. if it is, it just might work. Thanks for the explanation on how to do it!

The "Steering angle sensor" is the term I know it by, too. I'm guessing the "self centering control" is just someone else's terminology for it.
I did it slightly differently on the one occasion I had the issue earlier in the life of my car.
Didn't disconnect battery.
Found a flat (truly flat) section of road - drove forward about 20m with the wheel in the position it wants to take in the straight ahead - stopped - turn wheel fully left then fully right then to centre with spokes aligned horizontally. Fixed it.
Think I found this solution on a BMW site.
Along with several explanations of how it "couldn't work". It did.

Maybe cruiserfied can offer something here. I seem to remember there's a tool Hyundai uses to reset the steering angle sensor and it's not available to everyone so unless the latest updates to wheel alignment machines have something added, I doubt non-dealer options exist.

However, my information is about 3 years out of date.

LOL - Well Surferdude I couldn't help myself.  Went to my "truly flat" car park at work and pointed in the straight ahead direction, then full left, full right, then line up straight again.  Then I went for a short drive around the block and you know, I think it may be OK now. Not 100% sure but will confirm on the drive home tonight.

[Surferdude]

Hope it works for you pidim.

BTW, it seems Hunter is onto this issue. I've always found their wheel alignment equipment the most efficient so if anyone is getting an alignment done, look for someone with a Hunter. Then ask if they have this tool. Some interesting information here, too.

CodeLink®, Steering Angle Sensor Reset Tool, Wheel Alignment Reset Tool | Hunter Engineering Company

[Johnno]

If your handy with spanners loosen off the bottom knuckle on the steering column that goes into the bullk head gently slide it up and off the spline and turn the steering wheel anti clockwise one tooth and slide it back on and tighten and see how that goes

The steering wheels on these cars are keyed, they cannot be manually adjusted by removal and replacement unfortunately. Not like the good ol days anymore.

I think Johnno is referring to further down the steering column. Not up where you would normally remove a steering wheel.

Yes thats what I'm referring to. I would of thought it was spline'd like they've always been. But I'm out of touch with all this fancy Electronical gizmo's what they have nowadays

 

[Johnno]

How off centre is it and in which direction

It is very slightly off to the right. If you center the wheel while driving, the car will veer to the left. More noticeable on the hwy at higher speeds... but it always does it.

What happens if your driving along in a straight line and you let go of the steering wheel do's it pull to the left or keeps going straight?

[Johnno]

Ok done a bit of soul searching and found this helps me understand it a little more

What you need to know about Steering Angle Sensors and Alignment Service

[pidim]

Hope it works for you pidim.

BTW, it seems Hunter is onto this issue. I've always found their wheel alignment equipment the most efficient so if anyone is getting an alignment done, look for someone with a Hunter. Then ask if they have this tool. Some interesting information here, too.

CodeLink®, Steering Angle Sensor Reset Tool, Wheel Alignment Reset Tool | Hunter Engineering Company

Well I had about an hour drive this evening, and I'm not sure if it had any improvement or not or whether it's simply due to the road camber on some roads.  If there is an improvement, perhaps it's very slight.

[frankenzstein]

How off centre is it and in which direction

It is very slightly off to the right. If you center the wheel while driving, the car will veer to the left. More noticeable on the hwy at higher speeds... but it always does it.

What happens if your driving along in a straight line and you let go of the steering wheel do's it pull to the left or keeps going straight?

I haven't been able to try this at high speed yet as I haven't found a flat surface long enough,but at lower speeds (60kmh) there is no pull.

[frankenzstein]

Update: She's all fixed! ... I guess sometimes all it takes is a second trip to the shop, and a different set of eyes on the job. Front toe was way out, somehow the first guy missed that. Drives much better now!

[Johnno]

 good to hear it was a simple fix eventually