Fitted my winter alloys/tyres today as I had a spare half-hour, so I thought why not?

Interestingly, prior to fitting my winter wheels (i.e. with my summer wheels/tyres fitted) I had a steering wheel alignment issue. Straight ahead would centralise the steering wheel a few degrees to the left.

I had intended to get this fixed once I had fitted the winter wheels, assuming that I could probably do with a full laser alignment.

However, on fitting the winter wheels the problem has gone away. The steering wheel is now perfectly centralised.

My small brain can't figure it out. Why would fitting winter tyres on identical alloy wheels "fix" the steering wheel alignment problem?

If my steering wheel was misaligned, then surely it should remain misaligned even after fitting the winter wheels?[/s]

The wheels you took off, are they directional tyres, and if do where they fitted correctly?
Just a thought as to what may be causing it, sounds strange indeed, the only change really, is the tread pattern.

Yes, they are directional and yes, they are fitted correctly.

Even though I was certain of this, I double checked as this occurred to me too.

Just for clarity I have two sets of (identical) alloys - one set with the winter tyres fitted, and one set with the summer tyres.

I simply swapped the summer set for the winter set today, and the steering alignment problem has gone.

Like I say - just for clarity. Rereading my original post, it seemed like I'd had the summer tyres removed from a single set of alloys, and the winter tyres fitted - not the case.

Directional tyres fitted correctly on the wheel will also mean they have to be on the correct side of the car too, was wondering if that could cause additional drag and in turn cause it too pull?
I think there is a difference between directional and assymetrical tyres, the latter I think need to be fitted in pairs, not sure what tyres you have?

Last edited by taztastic on 19th Oct 2014 7:47 pm. Edited 2 times in total

Agreed.

But both summer and winter tyres are fitted correctly on their wheels, and are used on the correct sides of the vehicle so that they rotate in the correct direction.

In addition, both axles have identical tyres on them.

The summer tyres are budget tyres that came with the car when bought. Can't remember what they are off the top of my head - but the steering was perfectly aligned when the car was bought (on the summer tyres).

I'm stumped.

Clearly there is a difference between the two sets to cause this issue to be "fixed" when swapping between the two. But what difference would produce this result?

Confuzzled.

Tyres CAN do this. A very long time ago when radials were a new invention I had an Austin A60 which pulled to one side, although the tracking was correct. I swapped the front tyres over and it was cured. At the time it was put down to the fact that radials could become "handed" with use. Of course this won't help with unidirectional tyres as you can't swap side to side, but you could try swapping front to back on the same side. If the summer tyres are a cheap set as you say, I'd suspect some sort of internal fault on one of them. Ex AA Series III LWB Safari - Gone
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FR2 SD4 HSE - Now changed for a DS
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But the car doesn't pull to the left or right with either tyres fitted.

The vehicle travels in a straight line with no steering input on both summer and winter tyres.

The only difference is that with the summer wheels and tyres fitted, "straight ahead" results in the steering wheel centering at a few degrees anti-clockwise, whereas with the winter wheels and tyres is centers perfectly.

Sorry, not relevant then. I can't think of any other explanation. Ex AA Series III LWB Safari - Gone
300TDi Disco (bought new - terrible car) sent back after 18 months
Freelander 1 Estate - leased, given back at end of lease
200TDi Disco (bought from a mate with 100,000 on the clock) - Gone
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New model ex-demo Evoque S 180 in white
Unable to order a new DS, so gave up. Now have a Volvo S90 Recharge.

Nope - me either.

Clearly I have missed something that would explain all of this - but I'm at a loss.

I think my next step is to have the geometry checked and aligned with the winter wheels on (i.e. whilst it's "perfect"), and see what they say.....

Will post back if/when I get a resolution so as to close out the thread for future searchers........

One of the summer alloys could be unbalanced or dented?

Similar problem. My car is fitted with 236/65/17 General Grabber AT's and for the last 9 months I have been suffering with noises from the rear which sounded like descriptions on this forum of the dreaded HALDEX problem.

Have put up with it for approx. 7k miles all summer, expecting it to blow at any time but it never got worse.

Have finally found time to take it to a fellow member of Wallasey Motor Club who is a partner at the Chester Automatic Transmission Centre, where his top technician (who used to spanner for one of the Aussie V8 Holden teams ) took it for a run and diagnosed tire noise due to uneven tyre wear.

Solution-4 wheel Laser tracking using the new Hunter system as detailed in a post on another topic on here, which revealed that N/S front tow, total toe and steer ahead out of tolerance, plus rear N/S toe and total toe ditto. £72.00 later plus 4 new AT's, 2 of which I already had as rally event spares. (Always carry 2 spares in the forests) and 2 new at total cost of £240.00 from local tyre dealer who was £20.00 cheaper than all online prices.
Result noise gone and have ditched ear plugs.

Quite pleased with result, as tyres had done 20k plus and tracking certainly knocked out by mileage done on Forestry Commission tracks whilst officiating on BTRDA and British Rally Championship events.

Any forum member in the North West who would like details of the Chester Auto and Laser tracking company's, send me a PM.

Bill T. Life Honorary Member of Wallasey Motor Club.
Licenced MSA Radio Operator for 35+ years.
Rallying is the only sport.

My car's steering wheel tends have a couple of degrees turn to the right when going straight. Alignment is perfect.

But in France this year on their roads, the steering wheel was dead straight! Weird eh!

Will be interesting to see if it changes once my winters go on. Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

Mav that's normal. French roads have a steep camber - you're just correcting for the slope. We once had a Carlton that had been badly repaired after a smash (company car, so not too fussed). Pulled hard to the left in UK but drove perfectly in France!. Ex AA Series III LWB Safari - Gone
300TDi Disco (bought new - terrible car) sent back after 18 months
Freelander 1 Estate - leased, given back at end of lease
200TDi Disco (bought from a mate with 100,000 on the clock) - Gone
Disco 2 TD5 - sold and exported to France
FR2 TD4 GS - Gone
FR2 SD4 HSE - Now changed for a DS
New model ex-demo Evoque S 180 in white
Unable to order a new DS, so gave up. Now have a Volvo S90 Recharge.

Is it not the case that British roads have a camber and continental roads are flat?

When you are on the continent and therefore on the right hand side not the left of the road, isn't the angle of the camber of the road surface then in the other direction to the UK as you drive? 2016 BMW X3 30d SE in red
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