Steering Wheel Not Fitted Straight (?) - C5

[CreativeDan]

Hello all. I've owned 4 French cars in my time (3 Pugs, 1 Citroen, a Xsara 2.0HDI X), and I'm now contemplating an 05 55-reg 32k C5 1.6HDI 110 VTR estate in Icelandic (?) blue. I've test-driven it- very serene, spacious, well-equipped etc. etc. but I did notice that the steering wheel was pointing slightly to the left while the car was pointing straight. I have seen this before on 2 of the cars I've owned, presumably the wheel has been fitted like this at the factory. Is it a common feature?

[Johndouglas]

Mine is also just very slightly off centre. During it's first year, the front tyres wore down very rapidly. By 8000 miles they were down to 2mm. I took it for an alignment check and it was way out. They realigned the steering but afterwards I noticed the steering wheel slightly off centre. The tyre wear is now greatly reduced and the car doesn't veer to the side, so I just live with it. When I've had alignment done previously, the fitter has first clamped the steering wheel in the straight position, but my guy didn't.

[Ronin]

Hello all. I've owned 4 French cars in my time (3 Pugs, 1 Citroen, a Xsara 2.0HDI X), and I'm now contemplating an 05 55-reg 32k C5 1.6HDI 110 VTR estate in Icelandic (?) blue. I've test-driven it- very serene, spacious, well-equipped etc. etc. but I did notice that the steering wheel was pointing slightly to the left while the car was pointing straight. I have seen this before on 2 of the cars I've owned, presumably the wheel has been fitted like this at the factory. Is it a common feature?

 

As track rod ends get worn in they often settle to one side (least path of resistance). It's not a faullt and there is nothing wrong with them. I noticed french cars come from the factory all set up but dealers get lazy during PDI checks and don't actually check for this.

Go to a local tyre and exhaust specialist (avoid large companies like Kwikfit, Halfords, Charlie Brown's like the plague.... they will tell you there is a problem even if there is not (profit margins= sell,sell,sell) I should know, used to work for two of em.

A local experienced set up will check your tracking for free. If that's ok, explain to them about the steering being off centre and ask them to re-adjust both track rod ends to centre it (usually about 45 minutes labour) It's a lot cheaper and easier than taking the airbag off and adjusting the steering wheel.