How to Deal with Steering Wheel Misalignment?
3 Answers
Methods to handle steering wheel misalignment: 1. Before parking and turning off the engine, first return the steering wheel to its original position; 2. Adjust the left and right symmetrical tie rods. The adjustment methods for right deviation and left deviation are different. When adjusting right deviation, first turn the steering wheel fully to the right, then screw the left front wheel's tie rod downward, and also twist the right front wheel's tie rod downward, aiming to make the length of the left front wheel's tie rod consistent with that of the right front wheel's tie rod; 3. Finally, tighten the nuts. Steering wheels can be categorized into single-spoke, dual-spoke, three-spoke, and four-spoke types, and their function is to convert the force applied by the driver to the edge of the steering wheel into torque, which is then transmitted to the steering shaft.
Last time my car's steering wheel was also misaligned, especially noticeable when driving on the highway—the car went straight but the wheel was crooked. I took it to the repair shop, and it turned out to be a wheel alignment issue. The technician said driving long-term on bumpy roads or having uneven tire pressure can cause this. They adjusted the front wheel toe angle and checked the tie rods and suspension bushings. I suggest you prioritize an alignment check—it costs less than 200 yuan to fix. If left unrepaired, the tires will wear unevenly. Also, check if the tires have any bulges, as those can also cause steering misalignment.
I've thought about the steering wheel misalignment issue, and it's most likely a problem with the suspension or steering system. Last time my car had this issue, it was because the right front wheel hit the curb, causing the tie rod to deform and leading to the drift. First, try straightening the steering wheel yourself and see if the car drives straight. If it veers to the right, it means the left wheel's parameters are off, and vice versa. At the repair shop, they should check if the suspension bushings are worn, if the toe angle exceeds the limit, and also measure the tire pressure difference between the left and right sides. Don't go for cheap roadside stalls; if the alignment machine data is inaccurate, the adjustment will be useless. Loose chassis bolts could also be the cause, so they need to be tightened with a torque wrench.
