When driving, you don’t want to fight with your vehicle to keep it on the road. However, that can happen if the steering wheel is not straight. Even if it does not affect how your vehicle drives, it can still be annoying.
In this guide, we explain why your steering wheel is not straight, and we touch on the basic concept of wheel alignment to further inform you about why your car might need one.
After we discuss the signs that you need an alignment, we give you a solid warning and answer the awesome questions regarding wheel alignments.
Why Is My Steering Wheel Not Straight?
When the steering wheel is not level, it is likely that the wheel alignment is out, which means that the suspension and steering components are not functioning at the correct angles. By allowing the vehicle to remain in this condition, you allow the tires to wear more than they should, which means they will have to be replaced more often.
A bad alignment can also cause one or more of the tires to wear faster than others. Moreover, a steering wheel that is off level can also make the drive more uncomfortable and reduce fuel economy, both of which are at odds with the things you want in your vehicle.
What can be even more concerning is that bad wheel alignment causes added wear to the components of the suspension. If you have to replace components of the suspension sooner than normal, it will lead to added cost of repairs.
What is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment is adjusting the wheels/tires in relation to the vehicle’s suspension. It is important for the suspension system to be perfectly aligned with the wheels to have a safe and comfortable ride.
If the alignment is right, the angle of the tire is correct so it can make contact with the road. There are three different measurements used for alignment.
- Camber: This measurement is the angle outward or inward of the tire as you look at the front of the car. Too much outward or inward angle is positive and negative camber. Usually the camber is off due to worn suspension parts, ball joints, or bearings.
- Toe: This measurement is how straight the tires are facing outward or inward from an above view. If the tires are angled toward the middle of the car it is called toe-in and the opposite would be toe-out.
- Caster: This measurement is the measurement of the angle of the steering axis when looking at the side of the car. Positive camber is leaning more towards the driver side and the negative caster tilts more towards the front of the car. The caster angle is important for cornering, stability and balanced steering.
The vehicle doesn’t need to be off all three measurements to get an alignment. Even one of these could be off and the vehicle can cause problems in the steering wheel and tires.
However, when a professional gets the alignment done, all three look at all three to ensure everything is lined up as it should be.
Reasons Your Car Needs a Wheel Alignment
Most often cars don’t need an alignment unless something has or is happening to cause the need for an alignment. Here are some possible reasons.
#1. Worn Suspension Parts.
When suspension fails, the suspension is connected to the wheel alignment. One of the most common part failure is bad shocks or struts.
Even if parts are not bad simply any loose component can cause a failure in the alignment. A full suspension inspection should be done prior to a wheel alignment.
#2. Hit A Curb Or Bump.
Any shock can cause misaligned wheels. Even hitting a pothole or a curb too hard can be enough for your suspension system to absorb the shock and your steering wheel is no longer straight.
You don’t even need to be in a full-blown car accident for your alignment to be out. However, during the repairs from a collision the alignment should also be checked.
#3. Adjusted Height.
After installing a suspension lift kit on your vehicle, you should always check the alignment afterward. It is likely that as soon as you add some height, you will notice that the steering wheel is no longer centered.
The suspension system on your vehicle is designed to operate with the stock suspension system. To account for the lift, you need to modify the existing suspension system or replace some of the components. Like any other modification to the suspension system, you would want to align the wheels to ensure a smooth, safe ride.
#4. Technician Failure.
If you’ve had your wheels aligned but the steering wheel isn’t aligned properly, you will have to talk to a technician again. Novice mechanics may simply forget to pay attention to the steering wheel when completing any work on the wheels.
Fortunately, it shouldn’t take them long to do this as a correction. You might still want to think about where you are doing the work, because this should always be done.
Signs Your Car Needs A Wheel Alignment
In addition to having a misaligned steering wheel, there are several other indications that your vehicle may need a wheel alignment. You will see one or more of these symptoms:
- Steering wheel doesn’t return to center: Your steering wheel may be straight to start, but it does not return there after a turn. This is a clear sign that something should be checked on your vehicle.
- Vehicle pulls to one side: If you cannot drive straight down the road, you will want it checked. It may want to be further checked on several roads, as some of them contain crowning or a slight angle to help with drainage. However, if you are physically pulling the vehicle back one way consistently or dealing with “wrestling” the steering wheel, alignment will likely help.
- Loose steering: Poor wheel alignment will also cause extra play in the steering wheel. If the steering wheel feels like it is wobbly or unstable, you may need either to have the car aligned or replace some of the suspension components. Either way, it is unsafe to drive with unresponsive steering.
- Abnormal tread wear on tires: A tire’s tread wear tells everything about the health of your car. It can indicate that something is malfunctioning in the alignment of the vehicle. Since no one wants to replace tires prematurely, it is always worth it to get your vehicle aligned and potentially have your tires rotated.
Much of this involves you just trusting your instinct. If it does not seem to feel right, definitely try to get it checked for its alignment.
We as professional technicians prefer to check someone’s vehicle every time to ease their mind than to witness someone continue driving it in an unsafe condition.
Check All Suspension Parts Before Making A Wheel Alignment
If you’re good with cars, you can save the time of having to check the suspension before the alignment.
If there are worn or broken suspension parts, the mechanic isn’t going to align the vehicle until you have those parts replaced. So you would be wasting your time for an appointment you didn’t need.
In fact, most manufacturers recommend inspecting the suspension on a schedule – regular maintenance.
Again, while you inspect the suspension components, be sure to check the tie rods, ball joints, shocks, and the struts. If you don’t know what to look for, you should visit a local mechanic.
How do you straighten a steering wheel?
It’s gonna be that your steering wheel isn’t straight because your car is out of alignment. The mechanic will straighten the steering wheel when they align the wheels. The tie rods will need to be adjusted to put the steering wheel in the correct position.
How much does wheel alignment cost?
You will pay from $50 to $200 to have your car’s wheels aligned. The price will vary based on what type of vehicle you have and where you have the alignment done. Most manufacturers recommend having the wheels aligned or at least checked, every year.
Will alignment fix a crooked steering wheel?
Typically, when the wheels are aligned, the steering wheel is also straightened. The technician is to ensure that the steering wheel is straight when he/she finishes performing the wheel alignment.
Should you pull off from the alignment with a steering wheel that is crooked, you should bring it to the attention of the mechanic.
How much does a wheel alignment cost?
On average, wheel alignment costs $50 to $200. The price varies depending on what vehicle make and model you drive, as well as where you are having the car serviced.
It’s recommended to have the wheels aligned or inspected at least once a year or any time that you alter the suspension.
Does a misaligned steering wheel cause long-term problems?
Yes, if the wheels are out of alignment and the steering wheel is skewed, you’re going to have unnecessary problems. Your tires will wear out quicker than normal if the wheels are misaligned. Your suspension components will wear out quicker. It’s going to make for a bumpy ride.
Some people are just really bothered by a steering wheel that is out of alignment. It can be a real pet peeve that makes for an unpleasant ride. It’s not just annoying, though, it signifies a real problem.
Generally speaking, the out of line steering wheel is indicative of needing a wheel alignment. It’s best to have the vehicle inspected sooner rather than later. Otherwise, you may have needed tires faster than you expected and an expensive suspension failure to deal with.