DB7 parts fitting

[bloodfire]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum, but have been browsing for a while. Just wanted a bit of help.

My DB7 i6 steering wheel is not straight. I got laser wheel alignment done, but this did not make any difference. I was told by my mechanic that i would need to get the steering rack reconditioned or replaced. does this sound correct? also is the steering rack taken from an jaguar, and what part number would it be?

I am also looking to upgrade the steering wheel to part wooden. do you know if it is possible to do a direct change with a XJ6 steering wheel, and can the air bag be changed for the aston oem.

Thanks in advance for your help guys.

[michael gould]

You are probably better asking on the AMOC site about the DB7 i6.......this forum tends to be Gaydon cars ......good luck

[Tim Butcher]

Dear Bloodfire

I have never heard of the steering rack needing replacement due to a wheel that is not straight. We service these all the time and the things that affect the wheel being straight are if a track rod end has been changed or if any of the subframe Vee mounts are weak or have been changed.

Whenever we do any of this it is correct to reset the steering geometry but the final bit which is fiddly is to lengthen or shorten the track rods accordingly to centralise the wheel and then check the tracking has'nt moved. The splines on the column are too coarse to move it round on that so you have to do it the old fashioned way.

Regarding the steering wheel, I don't recall seeing an airbag car with a wooden wheel. If they were it would have been an option at the time. There are companies that will strip off the leather, fit a wooden fillet and then trim up to it.

I hope that helps.

[bloodfire]

Thank you Tim. You have been a lot of help. Just wish there was a "rep" system on the forum.

[Neil1300R]

Bloodfire, Tim is not allowed to advertise on PH, but he can be recommended by other forum members. I see you are in London, Tim's company Trinity engineering is in Cobham, Surrey.
Lots of us are going to Trinity beginning of March may be worth you popping along, seeing his facilities, having a chat etc.

[mikey k]

bloodfire said:

Hi,

I'm new to the forum, but have been browsing for a while. Just wanted a bit of help.

My DB7 i6 steering wheel is not straight. I got laser wheel alignment done, but this did not make any difference. I was told by my mechanic that i would need to get the steering rack reconditioned or replaced. does this sound correct? also is the steering rack taken from an jaguar, and what part number would it be?

I am also looking to upgrade the steering wheel to part wooden. do you know if it is possible to do a direct change with a XJ6 steering wheel, and can the air bag be changed for the aston oem.

Thanks in advance for your help guys.

IME the tracking/alignment wasn't done correctly.
Part of the procedure is to clamp the steering wheel in the dead ahead position THEN do the alignment. It may also need the steering sensor calibration resetting which can only be done with the AM service computer system (probably the reason it was not done correctly )

I doubt you need a steering rack.

On the steering wheel. The airbag system is actually inherited from Ford and is a Volvo system (Hence the Volvo sat nav on the same comms system ) So the Jaguar airbag is unlikely to fit the Volvo comms system. Same goes for the phone & cruise button if you have them.
Whether the wheel will physically fit the AM column is another area that would need investigation.
I'd be inclined to look at refinishing the existing one to your taste.

[bloodfire]

Neil1300R said:

Bloodfire, Tim is not allowed to advertise on PH, but he can be recommended by other forum members. I see you are in London, Tim's company Trinity engineering is in Cobham, Surrey.
Lots of us are going to Trinity beginning of March may be worth you popping along, seeing his facilities, having a chat etc.

Thanks guys.

Do you have a date set to go to Tim's place, and is anyone heading there from London/south London.

[Neil1300R]

bloodfire said:

Thanks guys.

Do you have a date set to go to Tim's place, and is anyone heading there from London/south London.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=70&t=1104942&mid=166597&nmt=Sat+3rd+March+Trinity+Engineering+meet...

Would be good to see a DB7 at the meet

[yeti]

bloodfire said:

Do you have a date set to go to Tim's place, and is anyone heading there from London/south London.

I'll be heading out from Putney and Shmee from Victoria so a couple of (well-spoken) South Londoners there for you. I'm a former DB7 owner (now DB9) and it'd be great to have one at the meet!