Steering wheel now off center after repairs...

[acr_ted]

Hi all,

Earlier today I had my 4WD 4Runner in for some work and they found the right side front axle boot split open and most of the grease gone. They replaced the parts with new ones.

While driving home I noticed that the steering wheel is now off quite a bit to the right, as in when driving straight ahead, the wheel is cocked to the right a fair amount (not sure how to describe it in degrees but it is very noticeable and annoying!). It was perfectly straight before they replaced the axle parts.

I just called the shop and they to bring it back in tomorrow morning, however they are saying that replacing the right side front axle parts would not have changed anything with the steering wheel.

Is that right, and if so, why would the steering wheel be so far off now??

Thanks!

Ted

 

[sterbenlicht]

Well, they don't need to take anything loose that affects the alignment, so if this is the case, I wonder if they weren't aware of that and loosened the outer tie rod while moving everything out of the way to swap axles. Does it feel like it's driving straight despite the position of the steering wheel or does it feel like it drifts or pulls more than it did before the work?

 

[acr_ted]

Thanks for the quick reply...the car does seem to be driving straight when I take my hands off the wheel - no pulling to the side. It is annoying though

I'll drive down the freeway in the morning before I take it back to the shop just to see if there is any change at higher speeds.

I don't see any unusual wear on the tire, but then the shop is only 2 miles from here. They did drive it a few miles though while testing 0 surprised they didn't notice the off center wheel, or maybe they don't care?


Ted

 

[sterbenlicht]

If they really did test drive it, then they probably would have noticed had they been looking for it. I don't think they would have driven it before though, so they would most likely assume it was already like that and you weren't complaining about it so they let it go. You won't see any crazy wear on the tires for a little while, and likely none at all as long as it's all straight aside from the wheel.

Basically, I have no idea haha. Might glance at the shaft going into the steering rack to see if they messed with that for any reason. I would doubt it because it's on the other side of the vehicle, but there aren't many things that can change a steering wheel's position so drastically without affecting the alignment. Good luck on learning what's up with it, and hopefully it's something they'll take care of.

 

[acr_ted]

Actually they did drive it before working on it....they brought me home in the 4Runner account their shuttle driver was out getting parts.

I guess I'll find out in the morning

Ted

 

[sterbenlicht]

Super oddness...

They can easily fix it by aligning it and setting the toe accordingly.

BUT

I want to know how it got that way in the first place because correcting the toe might not be the proper solution.

 

[acr_ted]

I just got back from a 20+ mile drive on the freeway now that rush hour is over and I do note a slight pull to the right, not much but noticeable. This is in the right (No. 3) lane so road crown could be a factor. However, in the No. 1 (left) lane the pull to the right is still noticeable, but barely. Speed was 70-75 mph.

No problem with vibration or anything else though.

I'll find out in the morning when I take it back in

Thanks again...

Ted

 

[acr_ted]

I just got the car back from the shop and it is now fine. They did an alignment even though they claimed that replacing the front right CV shouldn't have caused a problem, and they said they did not touch the tie rods.

Be that as it may, the steering wheel is now centered and the car is steady and stable at speed.

Ted

 

[RedSled]

I just got the car back from the shop and it is now fine. They did an alignment even though they claimed that replacing the front right CV shouldn't have caused a problem, and they said they did not touch the tie rods.

Be that as it may, the steering wheel is now centered and the car is steady and stable at speed.

Ted

Good to hear, Thanks for the update.