Why is My Steering Wheel Not Straight? (Causes and How to Fix)
The steering wheel is the most important control element used by a driver to steer their vehicle in the correct direction. When you turn the steering wheel in one direction, the tires should turn proportionally in the same direction as well.
This should be a consistent and reliable function of your vehicle’s steering system. If your steering wheel does not work properly, it can accelerate wear on your vehicle and lead to dangerous situations. An off-center steering wheel is relatively easy to diagnose and repair. In most cases, the problem is caused by a misaligned wheel. A wheel alignment or repair shop can straighten these to manufacturer specifications and ensure your steering wheel is straight.
How a Steering Wheel Works
Most cars, SUVs, and light trucks on the road today are equipped with a rack-and-pinion steering system. This system uses a physical connection to convert the rotational force of the steering wheel into a lateral force that turns the vehicle’s tires left and right. The vehicle then naturally travels in the direction the front tires are pointing. Your steering wheel is connected to a steering column (also called a steering shaft). When you turn the steering wheel, this column rotates, which in turn turns a pinion gear at the bottom.
The rack is the toothed rod that the pinion fits into, which moves left and right depending on which way the gear turns. At the end of the rack is a tie rod that connects to the handlebars (also called wishbones) at the wheel hubs.
The rack-and-pinion system makes it easy to turn the wheels. Vehicles have a specific steering ratio, or the ratio of one rotation of the steering wheel to one rotation of the wheels.
Vehicles with hydraulic power steering also have power steering fluid in the steering rack. This fluid assists steering by using a piston in the center of the rack. This makes the steering wheel very easy to turn.
Some vehicles also have four-wheel steering, which means the rear wheels also turn depending on steering wheel input or the angle of the front wheels (sometimes both). The steering wheel affects many different movements of the vehicle. So if it is crooked, the effects can be very unpleasant.
If your steering wheel is crooked, what does it mean? If your steering wheel is not centered when going straight, it may simply be that the position of the wheels on the ground and the steering wheel are misaligned. This can happen even when the vehicle is going straight.
Cars are designed to go straight without any driver intervention. However, this does not always mean that the wheels are pointing exactly straight ahead. In some cases, your front wheels may be slightly turned inward (front of the wheels pointing toward the center of the vehicle) or outward (fronts pointing away from the vehicle). This is intentional by the manufacturer to improve the vehicle’s handling.
When your vehicle’s wheels are out of alignment, you may experience the following symptoms:
1) Vehicle pulls to one side
If your car pulls to one side when you straighten the steering wheel while driving, one or more of the four wheels may be out of alignment. Returning the steering wheel to the center will allow you to go straight for a certain distance without having to place your hands on the steering wheel. Never do this in a place where you could hit someone or something.
2) Steering wheel vibration
Poor alignment can cause you to feel vibration in your steering wheel. This can make your ride very uncomfortable. This can also happen if your tires are not balanced or your wheels are not rotating smoothly.
3) Uneven tire wear
Look at your tires, they should all have about the same amount of wear. Check the wear on the inside and outside edges of each tire and compare the left and right tires. If your tires have significantly less tread on one side or the other, there is a misalignment that needs to be corrected.
Uneven tire wear can damage other systems in your car, like handling, making it less safe to drive. Your tires will also need to be changed more frequently.
4) Steering wheel won’t return to center
After turning, your steering wheel will automatically return to the center position. By default, your vehicle is designed to go straight. If you have to force the steering wheel back to center, your alignment should be checked by a mechanic.
5) Sloppy Steering
If the vehicle doesn’t respond well to the driver’s steering movements, there may be an alignment problem. This is not only uncomfortable, but it can also be dangerous if the driver has to take sudden evasive action.
Common Causes of Misalignment
Over time, small bumps in the road or minor wear on your suspension components can affect your wheel angle. For this reason, we recommend having your alignment checked and corrected annually.
But what if your steering suddenly starts responding erratically? There could be a few reasons for this.
1) Collisions and Potholes
Hitting a curb, tree, or even a large hole can affect parts of your steering system and suspension, causing the steering angle of your wheels to change. 2) Worn or bent steering or suspension components
If a component in the suspension or steering system is damaged or badly worn on one side, it can change the wheel angle on that side.
3) If you have changed the ride height without proper alignment
Vehicles are carefully designed in the factory to ensure that the parts they are made for work in a certain way. When replacing a component, it is often necessary to change associated parts as well so that the whole system continues to function properly.
If you lower or raise the ride height, you will need to adjust the suspension alignment to make up for this difference. This can be difficult to get right, so do thorough research on your specific vehicle or seek professional help. Why is my car steering crooked when my car is driving straight?The most likely cause of your car steering crooked when your car is going straight is a misaligned steering wheel. This can be caused by normal wear and tear over time or by hitting a pothole or curb (let’s be honest, we’ve all experienced this at least once).
If your car is driving straight and it’s just your steering wheel that’s crooked, a simple adjustment or realignment may be enough to get you back on the road.
Understanding Wheel Alignment
When it comes to your car’s handling and overall performance, wheel alignment plays a vital role. Let’s look at the three key factors responsible for proper alignment: camber, caster, and toe.
Fall
Camber refers to the angle of the wheels when viewed from the front of the car. It can be positive or negative, depending on which way they are leaned.
1. Positive camber means that the top of the wheel is angled away from the car, which increases stability when cornering. 2. Negative camber means that the top of the steering wheel is tilted toward the car, which improves grip when cornering.
Follow-up
Caster is the angle between the steering axis and the vertical when looking at the car from the side. It contributes to maintaining straight-line stability and steering returnability.
1. 1. Positive caster means the steering axis is tilted backward, making it easier to keep straight.
2. Negative caster means the steering axis is tilted forward, decreasing straight-line stability but improving cornering handling.
For most vehicles, a slight positive caster is desirable to balance stability and handling.
Track
Tone refers to the difference in distance between the front and rear of the tire when viewed from above. 1. Toe-in means that the front tires are closer together than the rear tires, improving straight-line stability.
2. Toe-in means that the front tires are farther apart than the rear tires, improving responsiveness when cornering.
Can wheel alignment fix crooked steering? A bent steering wheel is most often caused by improper alignment. In this case, a complete wheel alignment by a mechanic should resolve the issue.
Sometimes a wheel alignment alone won’t resolve the issue. This could be the result of a collision that has bent one or more suspension components, such as tie rods or control arms.
Why is my steering wheel not centered after a wheel alignment? At the end of a professional wheel alignment, your steering wheel should be centered. If it isn’t, return your vehicle to a repair shop because the wheel alignment was not done properly or the mechanic simply forgot to adjust the steering wheel after the wheel alignment.
How to center your steering wheel
If your car’s tires are properly aligned, there are technically several ways to properly align your steering wheel at home, but it’s not a good idea to try. There are a lot of moving parts, so it’s easy to get it wrong. Small changes to the steering system can have dramatic results. Attempting to repair your steering wheel can have disastrous results if not done correctly.
How much does a new steering wheel cost? If you’ve just had your car’s wheel alignment done and your steering wheel is still not centered, it won’t cost you anything to take your car directly to a dealership to have it fixed. Repair shops are required to center your steering wheel when they align your wheels.
Most people can expect to pay between $100 and $300 if their car needs a wheel alignment. Some vehicles only require alignment of the two front wheels, but most vehicles require alignment of all four wheels.
Your mechanic will check the toe, camber, and caster of each wheel (the different angles of the wheels along the various axles) to ensure they are within specifications for optimal handling. Some vehicles allow for more customization than others.
At the end of a full alignment, when the front wheels are straight, the steering wheel should be straight as well.
A misaligned or crooked steering wheel is annoying and very dangerous, but it’s easy to fix. If you have any questions, please consult your local mechanic or tire dealer immediately.