Can the steering wheel alignment be adjusted by toe-in?
2 Answers
Steering wheel misalignment can be adjusted by toe-in. Method for adjusting steering wheel toe-in: If the steering wheel is slightly left-biased, gently screw in approximately 60 degrees, which is one-sixth of a turn. The tie rod on the left front wheel side needs to be shortened; relative to the tie rod base, this means screwing in. The tie rod on the right front wheel side needs to be lengthened; relative to the tie rod base, the angle is the same as above. Adjusting the tie rod, the terms 'screwing in' and 'screwing out' relative to the 'tie rod base' are crucial. For adjusting the left front wheel tie rod, turn the steering wheel fully to the right and loosen the tie rod fastening nut. Make your own marks on the tie rod and tie rod base to observe the adjustment angle. The opposite applies if the steering wheel is right-biased. Adjustment precautions: Do not adjust too much at once. It may not be perfect on the first try; test drive on a straight road and make several fine adjustments to achieve accuracy.
I've also encountered steering wheel misalignment while driving before. A crooked steering wheel can indeed be fixed by adjusting the toe-in, which refers to the distance setting between the front and rear of the wheels. If it's set too off or unbalanced, the car will constantly pull to one side, and the steering wheel will also be misaligned. Adjusting it requires a professional technician using alignment equipment to ensure precise calibration. Otherwise, if you try to adjust it yourself haphazardly, the tires will wear out faster, and the car may skid more easily when turning, potentially leading to accidents. Whenever I get my car serviced, I always remind the mechanic to check these things as part of the maintenance—safety is the top priority, and it's not worth saving a few bucks at the expense of it.
