New Steering Wheel Install Cause Damage?

[WhiteFuryDC5]

so I installed the PRL steering wheel and replaced it with a brand new steering column Bolt from honda. The factory one was definitely not 36 lb for the torque like the factory spec says. I had to put a breaker bar on there and pull with both arms against the steering wheel lock and it cracked easily after that. However I noticed that when I go down the road the steering wheel is ever slow slightly to the left.

I made lines before I remove the steering wheel on the shaft and the outside of the column so that this way it would be lined up perfectly I made sure the wheel is the exact spot of the old one.

Because when I put it in a different way more to the right or more to the left its way off so I'm definitely in the right spot.

I'm just curious if pulling on it with a breaker bar to break that bolt if it's possible that something could be slightly bent to the left making the steering wheel off a little bit or maybe it's just the steering wheel itself not being 100% perfectly factory.

When I was breaking that nut loose it felt like it was about 80 lb feet of torque maybe a little bit less.

When I put the new steering wheel on and slide it all the way back before I put bolt and the steering wheel has a little bit of play you can turn it just slightly to the left or right and wiggle it on the Hub a very small amount of loose play is this normal? It's not until the bolt actually makes surface contact and starts to get snug at the wheel doesn't have any free play. It's almost like the teeth have a very small amount of play not sure if this is normal. Thanks so much for all your help guys.

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[Two Step Performance]

My bet is that the old steering wheel was off the same amount, you just did not notice it until you installed a steering wheel with a line on it. I would not suspect that you damaged anything.

Your front tie rod ends could be adjusted to straighten that wheel out all the way, if desired.

 

[MooMoo]

I guess this is why Honda recommends an alignment after a wheel is installed.

I agree you could adjust tie rods but likely you will mess up your alignment (ask me how I know )

 

[sgreer78]

Just thread your tie rods in and out a small but equal amount to true up the wheel. You'll have to toe out the left and toe in the right based on your description of the wheel not being centered.

 

[RODSCIVIC]

Same happened to me when we installed the Alcantara Honda Wheel. I have not adjust the tie rods yet but it’s getting annoying and will do that soon

 

[MooMoo]

Honestly to the people that want to adjust the tie rods. it does work but its not as simple as they show ya on the youtube videos. You will have to adjust a few times to get it perfectly straight. I got it pretty good but then went to the shop and they threw car on the rack and was very mis aligned (I moved the rods the same on both sides (opposite of each other) and toe was still off.

So I say take it to a good shop to get it aligned or do the rods so its straight then get it aligned after to make sure you didn't throw your toe out

 

[AZCWTypeR]

BTW: When parts have been mated a while, fastener breakaway torque is often >2x initial torque.

 

[MrBBQ]

My steering wheel is like 1 degree off too after I changed my steering wheel. I used the tape method to make sure everything lined up and into the correct spline. Initially it bothered me but I got used to it.

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