Should a Slightly Crooked Steering Wheel Be Adjusted?
2 Answers
A slightly crooked steering wheel should be adjusted. Before making adjustments, it's important to master a safe steering wheel grip: Place your left hand near the 9 o'clock position and your right hand near the 3 o'clock position on the steering wheel. Your hands should grip the wheel firmly yet remain relaxed, not tense. Thumbs should rest naturally on the wheel. When turning the wheel, alternate your hands to steer. For a full rotation, the left hand turns halfway, followed immediately by the right hand continuing the turn. The most direct method to correct a misaligned steering wheel is through a four-wheel alignment. Additional Information: Avoid turning the steering wheel to its full lock. Doing so can potentially damage the power steering pump, as internal oil pressure reaches its maximum at full lock, leading to increased temperatures and possible harm to the steering system.
I've been driving for nearly thirty years and have encountered the issue of a slightly crooked steering wheel multiple times. From my experience, it's not a major problem, but it shouldn't be completely ignored either. Why does the steering wheel go crooked? The most common reason is an issue with the wheel alignment, such as a deviation in the front wheel toe angle or some aging in the suspension components. If it's just slightly crooked without causing the car to pull to one side or feel unstable, I usually continue driving for a while to observe, mainly to save money. But what really needs attention is that it can accelerate uneven tire wear. Once, I procrastinated for a few months and ended up spending several hundred more on new tires. If the crooked steering wheel is accompanied by shaking or difficulty in turning, it's best to go to a professional shop for an alignment check immediately. Nowadays, these shops can pinpoint the problem with just a quick test using their equipment, costing only a couple hundred bucks—safety first, after all.
