What Causes the Steering Wheel Not to Return Smoothly?
2 Answers
Here are the specific reasons why the steering wheel does not return smoothly: Uneven tire inflation on both sides: Uneven tire inflation on both sides, with inconsistent tire pressure, is one of the main reasons for weak return force. To diagnose this issue, a tire pressure gauge must be used. Kicking the tire tread can only provide a rough estimate of the tire pressure. The reason uneven tire pressure prevents the wheel from returning to center is that the side with lower pressure has a wider contact patch with the ground. Uneven tire wear on both sides: Uneven tire wear on both sides, with significant differences, or uneven tire inflation can cause the steering wheel to pull to one side if the wear difference between the left and right tires is substantial. Brake drag on one or both wheels: Brake drag on one or both wheels is also one of the reasons for the steering wheel's failure to return smoothly.
I previously encountered a situation where the steering wheel was jerky when returning to center. It turned out to be an issue with the power steering system. My old car used hydraulic power steering, and upon inspection, I found the power steering fluid was nearly empty with some leakage in the hoses. After refilling the fluid and replacing the seals, the problem improved immediately. Additionally, loose steering linkage ball joints can cause similar issues, especially in cars with 70,000-80,000 kilometers on them, where you can feel noticeable play when turning. Regarding tires, after my last tire repair, the wheel balancing wasn't done properly, and there was a significant difference in tire pressure between the two sides, causing the steering wheel not to return to the center position. I recommend paying attention to the steering resistance - if it feels noticeably heavier than when the car was new, or if you need to manually pull the wheel back after turning, get your chassis and power steering system checked immediately.
