Alignment question

eithet · #1 10-08-2003, 10:19 PM

My dad and i are having a disagreement over the alignment of one of our cars, the steering wheel is turned towards the right. He seems to think it's because that was the way it was installed, I think it's due to the alignment being way off. Can anyone tell him he's wrong?

ivymike1031 · #2 10-08-2003, 10:21 PM

why don't you just have the alignment checked?

eithet · #3 10-08-2003, 10:27 PM

I know the alignment is off, we are disagreeing about the steering wheel though. I know it's because the alignment is off, he disagrees..

ivymike1031 · #4 10-08-2003, 11:34 PM

if it's off because the alignment is off, and you fix the alignment, do you expect that to have an effect on the steering wheel?

eithet · #5 10-08-2003, 11:39 PM

Yes i do, because i have had that problem on a 1995 dodge intrepid, and getting an alignment fixed the problem, the steering wheel was straightened out.

Moppie · #6 10-09-2003, 02:13 AM

It depends on how they realign the steering.
Sometimes it will bring the wheel back to where it is, but only if they are luckey enough to adjust only the one tie rod that needs it.
But normaly both get adjusted, and the end result is an out of place steering wheel.

A good alignment shop should fix that for you as part of the job, if not then its not hard to do yourself, and certianly not worth arguing over.

bustedratchet · #7 10-09-2003, 06:53 AM

Was the steering wheel straight before and all of a sudden its crooked ? If thats the case I'd look for a bent or worn part. as far as your disagreement with your dad you could both be right. It is possible to have a perfect alignment with a crooked steering wheel, it all in the total toe angle of the car or it might be the alignment. Either way I'd get it looked at.

eithet · #8 10-09-2003, 08:58 AM

I honestly don't remember if the steering wheel was ever straight, because he have had this car for 18 years, and it's driven maybe 5-6 times a year.

peeface · #9 10-09-2003, 01:12 PM

how do the tires wear? wacky tire wear is a sign of bad alignment.

eithet · #10 10-09-2003, 04:59 PM

the tires were wearing completely outta wack, we just got new tires, and we know the alignment is out..

jimmymc · #11 10-09-2003, 08:28 PM

If I took my car to the alignment shop for an alignment...I would be very unhappy if the steering wheel was not aligned correctly. My first thought would be...the front end mechanic did not know what he was doing and...If my steering wheel is off, what about the rest of the job.

A mis-aligned steering wheel is a good indicator for a out of align front end.

jimmymc

eithet · #12 10-09-2003, 09:02 PM

that's what i thought..

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