Your steering wheel is one of the most critical parts of your car. It’s what you use to control the direction of your vehicle, so it must constantly be working correctly to avoid any accidents or other issues. It can be a big problem if your steering wheel is not straight.
This article will look at the leading causes of a steering wheel not being straight and some solutions to fix the problem.
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What Does It Mean When Your Steering Wheel Is Not Straight?
A steering wheel that is not straight is usually a sign of a bigger problem with your car, such as worn-out components or bad alignment.
It can also be caused by hitting a curb or pothole. If it’s not fixed, it can lead to accidents or other issues.
What Causes Steering Wheel to Not Be Straight?
While there are several reasons why your steering wheel might not be straight, there are five that tend to be the most common.
Worn-Out Parts
Over time, the parts that make up your car’s steering system can wear out. These parts include the steering wheel, column, rack, and pinion.
When these parts wear out, they can cause your steering wheel to become misaligned because they are no longer working together correctly.
Bad Alignment
Another common cause of a steering wheel that is not straight is bad alignment, which means that the wheels on your car are not pointing in the same direction. This misalignment can be caused by hitting a curb or pothole or by simply driving on uneven roads.
When your car’s alignment is off, your vehicle can be challenging to control, increasing the wear and tear on your tires.
Height Modifications
Suppose you have made any modifications to the height of your car, such as lowering it or raising it. In that case, this can also cause your steering wheel to become misaligned because the changes in height can affect how your car’s suspension works and how the wheels align with the ground.
Bad Suspension Springs
Another common cause of a steering wheel that is not straight is bad suspension springs. These springs are what hold up your car’s suspension, and if they are worn out or broken, it can cause your car’s suspension to sag.
This sagging suspension can make your car’s wheels point in different directions and cause your steering wheel to become misaligned.
Hitting a Curb or Pothole
Finally, hitting a curb or pothole can cause your steering wheel to become misaligned because the impact can jar the components of your car’s suspension and steering system and cause them to become misaligned, resulting in a steering wheel that is not straight.
What Do You Do If Your Steering Wheel Is Not Straight?
If your car’s steering wheel is not straight, it’s essential to have it fixed as soon as possible. Here are five tips on what you can do to fix a steering wheel that is not straight.
Check Your Tires
One of the first things you should do if your steering wheel is not straight is checking your tires. Uneven wear on your tires can be a sign of bad alignment, and if you see that your tires are wearing unevenly, it’s a good idea to take your car to a mechanic to check it out.
Inspect Your Suspension
Another thing you should do if your steering wheel is not straight is to inspect your suspension, which includes checking the springs, shocks, and struts. If any of these components are worn out or broken, it can cause your steering wheel to become misaligned.
Have Your Alignment Checked
If you suspect your car’s alignment is off, the best thing to do is to take it to a mechanic and have them check it. They will be able to adjust your car’s alignment so that the steering wheel is straight again.
Depending on the severity of the problem, you may also need to have your car’s suspension repaired or replaced.
Replace Worn-Out Parts
Finally, if you have worn-out parts in your car’s steering system, it’s crucial to replace them. These parts include the steering wheel, the column, and the rack and pinion.
Replacing these parts can be expensive, but it’s essential if you want to keep your car’s steering system working correctly.
Steering Wheel Alignment Cost
The cost of a steering wheel alignment varies depending on the severity of the problem and the type of car you have. For example, a simple alignment on a small car may cost around $50, while a more complex alignment on a larger car can cost upwards of $200.
FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions to better understand steering wheel alignment.
Will an alignment fix a crooked steering wheel?
Yes, an alignment can fix a crooked steering wheel because the alignment will adjust how your car’s suspension works and how the wheels align with the ground.
However, as mentioned earlier, alignment issues aren’t the only reasons for a crooked steering wheel. In those cases, you might have to do some additional repairs.
Why is my steering wheel not straight after an alignment?
There are a few reasons why your steering wheel may not be straight after an alignment:
- The alignment may not have been done correctly.
- The alignment may not have been able to fix the problem if something is wrong with your car’s steering system.
- The problem may be with your car’s suspension and not the alignment.
Why is my steering wheel not straight after tracking?
Tracking is a process that adjusts the position of your car’s wheels to point in the same direction. This can be done if your car’s wheels are not pointing in the same direction or if they are not parallel to each other.
However, sometimes tracking can’t fix the problem, and your steering wheel may still not be straight. This could be because there is something else wrong with your car’s steering system or a problem with your car’s suspension.
