Hello all-
Last week I was driving at about 40mph and hit a series (three in row) of the deepest storm drains I have ever encountered. The right front and rear wheels are what hit and the sound was tremendous. I had never experienced a "crack" like that in a car before. I inspected the tires and rims and they all look perfectly fine. What I did notice shortly after I hit was the steering wheel was off-center and turned slightly to the left upon going straight. The car also tracks straight on a level surface, but, the steering wheel is off. Naturally, when I straighten in the steering to dead center the car pulls to the right significantly.
So, I took it to a reputable and independent wheel/brakes/performance-suspension shop in Atlanta to have them check the alignment. They put it on their Hunter alignment rack and said the alignment is within spec and the tech that test drove it didn't notice anything. When I asked about the steering wheel off center he said he didn't really notice that. They recommended not touching it and sent me on my way. With regard to the significant feathering on the outside front tires, he said to up the tire pressure which may help as mine was on the lower side (34F and 38R). So, I obliged and just drive off. But, I have to admit that it's really annoying to have a cooked steering wheel (despite the wheels of the car being in spec).
Do I go back and insist they straighten the steering wheel even though they didn't want to do anything? Do I go to another shop and try again?
FWIW, the tech also said that the Macan is the only Porsche that has a one-time use bracket that houses the adjustment mechanism which has to be replaced after adjustment ($40 part-relatively inexpensive) but did say all the other Porsche models have reusable ones that screw back together. IDK what the part is called, but, thought it was noteworthy information nonetheless.
Out of curiosity, I called my dealer and asked about alignment and they said it's 480++ because I have ACC and LKA. I asked why so much and he said there are two cameras that have to be recalibrated when adjusting the subframe. The independent shop said nothing about that and charges $175 for alignment.
So, I think I am asking many questions here but the primary one is what to do about the off-set steering wheel.
What would you guys do?
Thanks to all!
Last week I was driving at about 40mph and hit a series (three in row) of the deepest storm drains I have ever encountered. The right front and rear wheels are what hit and the sound was tremendous. I had never experienced a "crack" like that in a car before. I inspected the tires and rims and they all look perfectly fine. What I did notice shortly after I hit was the steering wheel was off-center and turned slightly to the left upon going straight. The car also tracks straight on a level surface, but, the steering wheel is off. Naturally, when I straighten in the steering to dead center the car pulls to the right significantly.
So, I took it to a reputable and independent wheel/brakes/performance-suspension shop in Atlanta to have them check the alignment. They put it on their Hunter alignment rack and said the alignment is within spec and the tech that test drove it didn't notice anything. When I asked about the steering wheel off center he said he didn't really notice that. They recommended not touching it and sent me on my way. With regard to the significant feathering on the outside front tires, he said to up the tire pressure which may help as mine was on the lower side (34F and 38R). So, I obliged and just drive off. But, I have to admit that it's really annoying to have a cooked steering wheel (despite the wheels of the car being in spec).
Do I go back and insist they straighten the steering wheel even though they didn't want to do anything? Do I go to another shop and try again?
FWIW, the tech also said that the Macan is the only Porsche that has a one-time use bracket that houses the adjustment mechanism which has to be replaced after adjustment ($40 part-relatively inexpensive) but did say all the other Porsche models have reusable ones that screw back together. IDK what the part is called, but, thought it was noteworthy information nonetheless.
Out of curiosity, I called my dealer and asked about alignment and they said it's 480++ because I have ACC and LKA. I asked why so much and he said there are two cameras that have to be recalibrated when adjusting the subframe. The independent shop said nothing about that and charges $175 for alignment.
So, I think I am asking many questions here but the primary one is what to do about the off-set steering wheel.
What would you guys do?
Thanks to all!
