Can the steering wheel be slightly off even after an alignment?

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Mar 10th, 2022 10:47 am

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Mar 9th, 2022 8:58 am

corcoran_chris [OP]: Deal Addict; Mar 20, 2005; 2966 posts; 1234 upvotes; Maple

Mar 9th, 2022 8:58 am

Can the steering wheel be slightly off even after an alignment?

I had an alignment performed and received the printout showing before/after and its improvements.

It drives nuts straight it seems, but the steering wheel is ever so slightly off to the right. My OCD is killing me.

I have checked various roads etc for crowing and it is off by a degree or two. Its very minor but im meticulous and maybe unreasonably so. If everything technically can be perfect in terms of alignment then I may just leave it.

Is it possible to have a perfect alignment but still have a slightly offset wheel? The shop took a look at it again and all numbers lined up to spec.

Any thoughts appreciated.

9 replies

Mar 9th, 2022 9:15 am

mau108: Deal Addict; Jan 20, 2005; 3826 posts; 405 upvotes; Thornhill

Mar 9th, 2022 9:15 am

Steering wheel should be straight. They usually lock it in place before aligning. Sounds like the tech didn't do a good job. Where did you go?

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Mar 9th, 2022 9:24 am

maniacshopper: Deal Fanatic; Mar 5, 2006; 6505 posts; 717 upvotes; Murica

Mar 9th, 2022 9:24 am

Op what car? Bmw has wacky requirements such as load requirement to do alignment which sort of makes sense.

Mar 9th, 2022 11:12 am

engineered: Deal Expert; Feb 11, 2007; 19954 posts; 23530 upvotes; GTA

Mar 9th, 2022 11:12 am

corcoran_chris wrote: ↑ I had an alignment performed and received the printout showing before/after and its improvements.

It drives nuts straight it seems, but the steering wheel is ever so slightly off to the right. My OCD is killing me.

I have checked various roads etc for crowing and it is off by a degree or two. Its very minor but im meticulous and maybe unreasonably so. If everything technically can be perfect in terms of alignment then I may just leave it.

Is it possible to have a perfect alignment but still have a slightly offset wheel? The shop took a look at it again and all numbers lined up to spec.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Steering wheel centering is mostly just a visual thing. It won't cause you any technical issues.
I'm with you though, I like it to be dead straight, but that can be a matter of opinion depending on how you sit. If you want it perfect, I suggest that you show them where you want the wheel.

If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

Mar 9th, 2022 4:08 pm

IcarusLSC: Deal Addict; Nov 7, 2016; 2634 posts; 1558 upvotes; Ontario

Mar 9th, 2022 4:08 pm

Whats "the steering wheel is ever so slightly off to the right" mean? Got a pic of it? More then before I assume?
Take it back and let them know its off if it's that bad, its not hard to correct for a steering wheel off center...

Mar 9th, 2022 4:16 pm

EP32k2: Deal Expert; Jan 15, 2006; 20050 posts; 20932 upvotes; Richmond Hill

Mar 9th, 2022 4:16 pm

Does this happen on any road surface? Roads are crowned so most cars will require a bit of wheel correction to go "straight".

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Mar 9th, 2022 4:28 pm

TehRFDAnomaly: Deal Addict; Dec 6, 2017; 1719 posts; 1179 upvotes; Manitoba

Mar 9th, 2022 4:28 pm

Steering wheel must've been off center when they aligned the tires?

Mar 9th, 2022 5:52 pm

CaptSmethwick: Deal Fanatic; Oct 12, 2007; 8306 posts; 7009 upvotes; Ottawa

Mar 9th, 2022 5:52 pm

TehRFDAnomaly wrote: ↑ Steering wheel must've been off center when they aligned the tires?

A proper alignment job would have locked the steering wheel dead centre before undertaking the measurement let alone the adjustment. If they didn't do this, an alignment could absolutely take a centered steering wheel and put it a bit off-centre.

I always upvote respectful/helpful posts wherever I encounter them.

Mar 9th, 2022 7:45 pm

eclone: Deal Addict; Jun 20, 2010; 2248 posts; 1786 upvotes

Mar 9th, 2022 7:45 pm

How old is the car? sometimes worn steering rack bushings can make it impossible to set the steering wheel straight for alignment. Another possibility is tie rods needed adjustment which the shop didnt do.

Mar 10th, 2022 10:47 am

notunknown: Member; Aug 18, 2013; 359 posts; 657 upvotes; Next door

Mar 10th, 2022 10:47 am

Went through this exact scenario 2 months ago with an independent garage. Finally, on the 3rd try they got the wheel centered.

You’re right, it bugs the hell out of me to not have the wheel centered.

Take it back and get them to do it again.

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