Alignment needed after subframe dropped?

[dkl]

For those of you that had changed your oil pan gasket and had to drop the front subframe for it, did you get an alignment done afterward? My car tracked fairly straight after the OPG changed, although, the steering wheel is cocked about 10 degree off center after the work, but the car isn't pulling to either side. I would assumed NO if just the subframe dropped, but the axels were removed to complete the job...so maybe it's safer to just get an alignment? Inputs would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.

[Zulu95]

Get the alignment as it is cheaper than tires. I know I did after the OPG was changed.

[crystalworks]

You can carefully mark your subframe prior to dropping it to prevent the need for alignment.

But after needing to unbolt the steering rack as well as the subframe for motor mounts... I went ahead and got an alignment. As Zulu95 said, cheaper than tires.

[dkl]

Will do...thanks for the input guys

[nick325xit 5spd]

The "alignment issue" issue is probably that you're a spline or two off on the steering column when the rack got reattached.

[Clavurion]

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

The "alignment issue" issue is probably that you're a spline or two off on the steering column when the rack got reattached.

I think the same. It can be quite difficult to get the splines right because the plastic guide is so flimsy.

[dkl]

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

The "alignment issue" issue is probably that you're a spline or two off on the steering column when the rack got reattached.

Originally Posted by Clavurion

I think the same. It can be quite difficult to get the splines right because the plastic guide is so flimsy.

Thanks - that was my initial guess. I've already scheduled an alignment just to be safe. The slightly off centered wheel may not bother many, but it bothers me enough that I wanted it corrected

[Clavurion]

Originally Posted by dkl

Thanks - that was my initial guess. I've already scheduled an alignment just to be safe. The slightly off centered wheel may not bother many, but it bothers me enough that I wanted it corrected

Of course the proper way to repair this would be re-installing the splines correctly. Not sure if it can be done from above in your vehicle.

[andrewwynn]

To correct the steering wheel aim properly you'd have to re-do do the connection at the rack.

Maybe can be fixed by disconnecting at the u-joint so don't have to move the rack and can be done from the engine bay.

If you moved the steering wheel inisde you'll throw off zero degrees on the steering angle sensor.

There is really no chance the subframe moved enough to cause that much steering wheel angle from my understanding.

The "easy fix" is to just adjust the toe. You will affect your turn radius slightly since the rack will be slightly farther left or right at "zero degrees".

[dkl]

Thanks Andrew. I'll see what the alignment guy can do with the "easy fix" toe adjustment.