How to Straighten Steering Wheels – Know What’s Wrong and How to Fix It
Does your car seem to go on the wrong way after desperately turning the wheels? If your auto doesn’t obey you, then it is pretty obvious that something is not right.
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Whether you have recently got a wheel alignment or any other issues not fixed with your wheels, steering and rear toe, you need to seriously take action to avoid a safety hazard.
Moreover, this will save your auto from any further damage that might cause you more heartache in the future. Hang in there because I will show you the basics on how to straighten steering wheel with a few steps below.
How to Straighten Car Steering Wheel?
My Steering Wheel Is Not Straight – What’s Going On?
So you have been on a long trip and got so frustrated because your vehicle seems to have a mind of its own while you were driving it. Some drivers might hardly notice that their steering wheel is off the center until they experience the hassle.
Aside from the fatigue you experience, a vehicle that constantly fights against the natural forces may also cause problems on your tires in the long run.
What’s wrong with a steering wheel that isn’t straight? The following are the possible causes:
- Misalignment of the wheels.
- Worn out tires
- Accidentally hitting a curb
- Steering arm that is bent
- Steering linkage not properly centered
Why You Need to Fix an Off-Center Steering Wheel ASAP
You want to take full control of your machine and go the way you want it to be. But with a steering wheel that is not straight, you are not only feeling the hassle in the middle of the road but may also lead to other problems in your auto (you may also want to learn how to unlock the steering wheel here).
Constantly fighting a vehicle that keeps going on the wrong path is truly exhausting and you need to fix it as soon as you can.
I have listed below some of the motivations for fixing an off-center steering wheel:
- Prevent safety hazard while driving
- Improve control on the steering wheels
- Avoid fatigue due to pressure in handling the vehicle
- Smoother driving experience
- Lessens workload of tires due to an ill-handling car
Now we are done with what’s and why’s. To correct an off-center steering wheel, you can check out the guide below:
Materials Needed:
#1. Wrench
A wrench is an important tool you can use for providing grip and turning nuts and bolts. Getting a set of wrench comes in handy so you can easily fix loose bolts that may have varying sizes.
#2. Protective Gloves
Protective gloves are used to keep off your hands from all the grime and dust you are going to get while fixing the steering system of your auto.
#3. String
A string is a convenient accessory you can use as guide to check if your tires are straight and parallel.
#4. Measure Tape
In this primer, the measure tape comes in handy to help you measure the distance between the wheel rim and the string.
#5. Jack Stands
Via amazon.com
Jack stands are convenient tools you can use to safely lift your vehicle up during repair and adjustments. They are made of high-grade steels and sturdy enough to support heavy loads such as your car. You may also need a car jack to lift your car up.
Step-by-Step Guide to Straight Steering Wheel
Step 1: Prepare Your Car for the Wheel Adjustment
Step 2: Loosen the Nuts on the Inner Tie Rods
Step 3: Straighten the Steering Wheel
Step 4: Setup A String Parallel to Your Car’s Wheels
Step 5: Adjust the Distance of the String to the Wheels
Step 6: Measure the Distance of the String and Wheels
Step 7: Loosen the Tie Rods
Step 8: Tighten the Nut on the Joint
Step 9: Go for a Test Drive
Conclusion!
A car that does not obey your steering commands is definitely a tiresome experience. In this primer, I have shown you some of the basic info about your auto’s steering system and how to fix a steering wheel that isn’t straight.
Have you enjoyed this primer? Share the info with all the car owners you know!
If you have any similar experiences, please don’t forget to write them in the comments section. I’d be glad to hear your comments, questions, or suggestions related to this topic!
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