steering wheel

[Solara916]

I might have posted about this before, but it's been awhile and I figured this would have been easier....anyway...

I was in a car accident (other guys fault of course), and I got my car repaired and junk, and due to insufficient funds, I wasn't able to get my alignment done around the time I got my car back. I noticed that my steering wheel is off center and "leans" more toward the left. I figured it was just my alignment, but after I got my alignment done, the steering wheel stayed the same.

I was just wondering if anyone could help me out and give me some feedback as to what could be wrong, and how i can fix it. I don't mind taking it into a shop, but I'd like to walk in knowing what's wrong with my car so i can avoid any unnecessary charges.

So ya, if anyone can help me out, i'd really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance

-Al

[1st Gen Sol]

I think they might have forgot to align the steering wheel........probably assumed that it was straight and just dod the alignment. Just go back to the shop and tell them that you need the steering wheel adjusted so its straight with the rest of the car.

I had the same thing happen on my previous car.

Hope that helps you out a bit.

[Solara916]

Thanks bro..

here's another question in regards to your response...

is there a certain amount of time that a person has to bring back a car to a shop, for any repairs that weren't done right and what not? I was in the accident about a year ago, and I feel weird bringing my car back after so long.

[1st Gen Sol]

Its not a major job so I don't think it should be a problem.

If it was something major I would think otherwise because they don't want to take the fault for it since it wasn't brought back to them for repair once it started happening.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

My insurance company warrantied any repair work for the time i owned the car! so if its a problem..you should take it back to them! a lot of time peopel assume its a mis-alignment when it could be a whole sort of problems created by the accident and not corrected by the repairs!!!

[Solara916]

So after getting a few responses, I called a few places:

Goodyear: told me that they don't mess with the stearing wheel if there's an airbag.

Big-O-Tires: Real cool...told me to come back and they would do the alignment again. Said if it isn't the alignment, then there's a way to align the steering wheel on its own, but that's gonna cost some $$$. (This was probably the only response that I got that i actually thought could be the right solution)

Toyota Dealership: pompous a-hole started his sentence off with *Well I've been a mechanic/tech for 11 years and I can tell you that the issue IS with the alignment of the tires...* (Like this fool doesn't have to look at the car cause he can tell over the phone exactly what the flippin problem is) I went on to tell him that I already had my car aligned twice (thank goodness for Big-o-Tires lifetime warranty), and both times my alignment came out perfect. Then he went on to tell me to bring it into the dealership, pay the $90 to get it aligned there, and hopefully the other place (Big-O) will refund my money.

The Shop where I got the repairs done: Told me that they performed an alignment and I assumed that they felt everything was alright since they did give me the car back. Then the guy went on to tell me that they might be some issues because it has been about a year since they fixed my car. (Mind you, I've already brougth the car back 3 different times for 3 different issues.)

and in response to your post Jai_Jai...it was the other guys insurance that paid for everything since it was his fault. They were a headache to deal with back then, I can't imagine how they would be after a year. Damn AARP.

So if anyone can give me some advice, I'd really appreciate it.

-Al

[ThatVietGuy]

I had that problem once before...

Some time later, I hit a curb head on at 30 mph and it straightened everything out.


Judging from the places you listed, it seems like Big-O is the best bet. Plus, it wouldn't hurt to get an estimate if the problem isn't the alignment.

[Mole]

Are there any Discount Tire Centers up there?

[dominoSLEV6]

You know I've had a problem like this.

The only thing is that I think my issue may be different. Ever since I Got my car about 5 months back it's had a small alignment issue, but I was never able to get it back to the dealer I bought it from (used of course) untikl recently. When I brought it back there they did the alignment for free and all as it was to be included with the purchase of the car, but it's still not perfect. The wheel is slightly off, it's liek if you put it dead center it tilts a little to the right and just veers right. It's not the roads being uneven becaus eI've found long straight level roads to test it out on and it still messes up. I remember my Camry could go for a ridiculous amount of time dead straight without holding the wheel, and even then it would only stray from it's course from small road imperfections.

So I've been annoyed by somehtign similar, and to be honest I don't think their alignment did jack s hit, so I'm going to see if I can take it somewhere else and just pay the money for it.

-chris

[Solara916]

Mole: Ya...we have them up here, but they don't touch the alignment. All they do is install tires, and then you have to take it somewhere else to get it aligned.

Domino: That sounds like the exact problem I'm having, but I have a hunch that it is a result of the accident, I just never noticed it before because I was too concerned with the rest of the car.

I'm going to take it back to Big-O when I have some time and see what they can do. If they discover that it isn't the alignment of the tires, but has to do with the steering column itself, and it doesn't cost too much, I might go ahead and have them do the repair.

Thanks for your feedback guys.

[jhenty]

i dont know why these mechanics are being so ignorant. The wheel just needs to be straightened. Its happened to my moms bmw, and my mr-2 spyder and is current problem on my solara. The car does not to be aligned, the steering wheel needs to be straightened out somehow.

[townboy2]

if your done by a computer then u should try he hand alignment... all i know is when i lower my car the computer can't do it and the hand one come out prefect... of course the hand one cost more but it worth it..

[Jetfixer]

I agree with "the pompous a-hole at toyota", the alignment was not done right. And any competent mechanic would know that from your description. The incompetent "mechanic" is the one who didn't make sure the steering wheel was centered before adjusting the toe-in. To correct his screw-up all you need to do is to turn the left side tie-rod adjustment a certain amount to lengthen it, and turn the right side tie-rod adjustment the exact same amount to shorten it. This will bring the steering wheel back to center without disturbing the actual toe-in measurement, which is critical to good handling. In the old days, morons would just pull the steering wheel off and put it back on straight. You can't do that today.

[Hefty]

Yeap when I test drove my car the steering wheel was cock-eyed to the left real bad. They just didn't make sure the steering wheel was oriented correctly when they did the alignment. They were able to quickly resolve the issue with another realignment and making sure the steering wheel was situated correctly.