Steering Wheel Not Straight

[MGrove03]

Recently knocked a kerb when swerving to avoid someone and ended up needing a new wheel but ever since my steering wheel has to be slightly turned to the left for the car to go straight. i dont know much about cars and was wondering what was wrong with it? got my alignment checked and it was fine what else could it be?

Help appreciated

 

[Henry]

Recently knocked a kerb when swerving to avoid someone and ended up needing a new wheel but ever since my steering wheel has to be slightly turned to the left for the car to go straight. i dont know much about cars and was wondering what was wrong with it? got my alignment checked and it was fine what else could it be?

Help appreciated

you'll have bent something. i'd start by taking it to have the tracking done on one of these proper four wheel alignment jobbies (Protyre have them and are very good); they should ensure that the steering wheel is kept dead straight as they track the car up; not all places manage it though

 

[jay s]

if the car runs striaght but the wheel is off centre, take it back to the place that done the tracking an get them to redo it ( will be free ) but make sure they clamp the steering wheel in the centre position. this is more than likey your problem

 

[gilmour182]

good luck ..........took them 5 goes at it when my car was new.
Steering wheel has a master spline so they need to adjust both sides (at tracking rods).

went though 3 steering racks on a golf gti mkI in the same way. Best make sure nothing is bent.

 

[MGrove03]

is this expensive to get done? and will it cost much to fix if somethings bent?

 

[jay s]

who checked your alignment? did they adjust anything? ( tracking normally cost £30-£40 )

 

[Henry]

if you take it to someone with the machines like those Protyre use, they'll be able to check the caster/camber at the same time - this'll let you know if you've bent anything other than the track rods. if you've only bent the track rods, it can be 'fixed' by having the tracking re-done.

dunno if you've got one near you, but Protyre charge about £20 to adjust the tracking on one of their full alignment machines.

 

[MGrove03]

just to double check is tracking and alignment the same thing?

 

[Henry]

yes