Have you ever experienced the problem of your steering wheel being off-center? It is annoying because when the steering wheel is off-center, you constantly have to adjust your driving and take an incorrect sitting position. This can lead to safety issues and physical discomfort such as shoulder and back pain if you have this problem for a long time.
Why is my steering wheel off-center?
There are several reasons for your steering wheel to be off-center. It can happen due to poor assembly and design of the car. Although it is rare, it does happen. Most people never notice it. But, the car may come from the factory with the steering wheel tilted or off-center.
This can happen when you hit the suspension over a hole or a bump. Such sudden jolts displace the structural components from their original factory position. A similar problem will occur if you drive too much off-road. When you drive for a long time over rocks and bumps, numerous impacts will push the steering wheel slightly off-center.
Also, the position of the steering wheel is affected by the thrust angle of the car. The offset of the rear wheel or axle affects the angle between the thrust line and the center line. This results in a crooked steering wheel.
How to Fix a Crooked Steering Wheel
When you fix a crooked steering wheel, you have to work on 3 angles – caster, camber, and toe.
Caster – refers to the forward or backward tilt of the top of the steering shaft. It adjusts the direction of the steering. According to measurement, backward tilt is considered positive (+), and forward tilt is negative (-).
Camber – the angle of the wheels from the vertical and directly affects tire wear. The angle becomes positive (+) when the top of the wheel tilts outward. It will be negative (-) when the top tilts inward.
Toe – refers to the degree of rotation of the front or rear wheels relative to the straight-ahead position. The toe angle is positive (+) when the wheels are turned inward and negative (-) when they are turned outward.
Ways to Fix a Crooked Steering Wheel
Method 1
This is the easiest way, but you must have some technical knowledge about the structure of your car. In addition, you must have the right tools, because it involves removing the steering wheel from the housing.
Just take it out and put it back in the correct position. It is also possible to adjust the alignment without removing the steering wheel. But this process is more time-consuming and expensive.
Method 2
When the steering wheel deviation is too great, you must take your car to a service center. Professional camber mechanics will adjust the steering wheel as needed.
REMEMBER: You can always contact our car service, where your car will be gladly provided with professional technical assistance. You can also sign up for a scheduled technical inspection! Please familiarize yourself with our services for car repair and diagnostics.
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VEBER-AUTO car service
194044, St. Petersburg
Neyshlotskiy pereulok, 5, building 3
District: Vyborgsky
Metro: Vyborgskaya – 800 m.
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Seven days a week, from 9:00 to 21:00.
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sto@veberauto.ru
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8 (812) 321-00-00
