My steering wheel used to be straight, the past few days the top of the wheel is now at a 2 o'clock position, if I drove with my wheel straight I would veer to the left quite shaprly. Other that "get it checked out" what could be the problem? is it dangerous to drive like it? What would make this happen?
2006-12-13 08:14:30 · 38 answers · asked by suckaslug 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I had the wheel alignment done only last month when I had the break drums replaced
2006-12-13 08:17:53 · update #1
I think your alignment could be out. (That happens to me if I ...ahemm...run over a curb or something)
I don't think it is dangerous if that is what it is but it will make your tires wear uneven and faster.
2006-12-13 08:17:12 · answer #1 · answered by meow 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While many people did point out alignment which is certainly a possibility nobody seemed to mention brakes. A dragging front brake will do exactly what you describe as it causes the wheel to drag and takes up all the slop in all of the suspension components. You may not notice it if it dragging just a little but it will definitely require you to keep the wheel to one side to steer straight. Because you have recently have had brake and alignment work done I would certainly start there as a minor error such as too little torque on a lower control arm bolt on some cars will allow the arm to shift and change the alignment without you having done anything (such as hitting a pothole that seems to be a popular idea). Because you recently had the work done and seem to indicate the car was fine afterwards and has now started this, I would suggest that you do have an issue that can be serious and do damage to either the tires, brakes, or steering linkage and does need to be checked by a professional. Because you so recently had work done i would suggest getting back to them and telling them about teh problem. It is very possible it is related to what was done but unfortunately it is also possible that it is a coincedence and they are blameless. Hope this helps, Hawkrod
2006-12-13 09:03:56 · answer #2 · answered by hawkrod59 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is dangerous , it could be various things track rod end , wheel bearing loose, loose clamp bolt at the bottom of the steering column , Tracking rods clamp bolt been left loose this is the most likely thing that i can think of , get it checked if your steering is faulty it may fail. as a second thought if your alignment has been done it may be that when the tracking was adjusted it was only adjusted on one side your steering wheel would then have to travel out of centre to compensate
2006-12-13 23:30:43 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be tyre pressures, or if you have changed a wheel, to one with more or less tread this could affect the wheel position.
Otherwise this is classic bent suspension, lower arm, Wishbone, tie bar mounting, etc, the overall wheel alignment may be ok but get it checked by a local garage, not crap fit.
It definately is not wheel balance, but it is possible the damaged component could fail and one wheel turning suddenly on to left or right lock at 70 mph is probably going to be a very big accident, one you probably will not survive.
2006-12-13 11:43:41 · answer #4 · answered by "Call me Dave" 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you hit something, it may have knocked it out of adjustment and alignment. A pothole maybe. Regardless of the source, it's out of adjustment. You will need to take it to someone to get the wheels aligned. I'm not 100% on that but I'm pretty sure. An Honest Mechanic will be able to tell you over the phone that you need to have done.
2006-12-13 08:18:45 · answer #5 · answered by acwitte_99 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you hit a pothole or something that knocked your front end out of alignment. Its not necessarily dangerous, but it could eventually cause abnormal tire wear and cause parts on your suspension to wear out. A reputable tire store or under body shop should be able to help you out. If it just takes adjustments there is no reason it should cost you more much more than $50.00 dollars unless there is damage. This is a good example of the old "Fram oil filter" commercial, "You can pay me now or you can pay me later". If you don't have a shop that you trust consult with your parents and friends about where they take their vehicles.
2006-12-13 08:21:38 · answer #6 · answered by smoothie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would have to ask if you've hit any curbs hard lately because it sounds like an alignment issue. While i would not say that it is necessarily "dangerous" to drive like that, it will wear your tires abnormally, requiring early replacement. I would have the alignment checked pretty soon.
2006-12-13 08:18:55 · answer #7 · answered by Charles C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you recently 'kerbed' the car? chances are you're wheel alignment is out and needs to be done. Take it to a reputable garage who does LASER tracking and they'll be able to help you..Also check your tyre pressures. You may pay over the odds for laser tracking, but its worth it as you know its right and the car will be ok
2006-12-13 09:14:52 · answer #8 · answered by KRISTIAN H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your front end is out of alignment. It is not a great idea to drive this way, since you will potentially veer off to the right if you brake hard.
2006-12-13 08:16:47 · answer #9 · answered by astralpen 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like there is a problem with the rack & pinion witch is what the steering wheel shaft connects to, to move the wheels possibly the tie rods that are connected the rack & pinion may be broken I would have this looked at.
2016-05-23 20:17:36 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should get it checked out. The alignment is probably off. Or you may need to get your power steering checked out. Or there could just be too much play in it!
2006-12-13 08:17:15 · answer #11 · answered by TNL 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋