So I had my 8 into the dealership for interior work this week and just picked it up today. The service required the steering column to be unbolted from the dash. I got about a block from the dealership and heard some crunching/thumping from the front of the car that sounded like I was driving over loose manhole covers, though I definitely wasn't. The sound went away but then I noticed that my steering wheel is now rotated counterclockwise about 15 degrees while I'm driving straight. I'm not sure if it was like that or not for the first few blocks, though it probably was. Nothing outside or underneath the car should have been touched during the service.

So does anyone know what might cause the steering wheel to be off axis if suspension was never touched?

Also, I have bolt holes on the back/side of the steering wheel itself toward the bottom that look like they should have caps or covers on them. Are they supposed to be open or did the dealership just forget to put the caps back on?

 

Maybe the wheel was put back on wrong and you ruined a spline or something on the hub. I dont have an 8 yet but I highly doubt there would be caps for those torx screws that hold the airbag in the steering wheel (which is what you're describing).

 

.

 

bring it back and ask them what the hell is going on.

 

The dealership probally didn't touch the steer. wheel. If you follow where the rack connects to a splined shaft that leads up to the steering wheel, you will find a u-joint that has a cinch bolt. The Cinch bolt hold the shaft that connects the wheel to the rack.

See if that bolt is tight and you may be able to adjust the steering wheel angle and set it back to 0 deg. at that point.

My rack was replaced right bofore SevenStock 8 and they didn't tighten that bolt.
I had the same sounds like you listed.

 

I don't have the weird noise you guys are talking about. But im curious at how you would adjust the steering wheel.

Could you explain?