My steering wheel ain't straight?

[oplix]

I was wondering if anyone could suggest what I could do. When I drive my car, I have to hold the steering wheel way to the right. Like probably 10-15 degrees. I went to get an alignment because that's what I thought was wrong and they told me that it wasn't my only problem. They said that the camber/caster was out (i think on my front left wheel).

Anyway can anyone suggest what the cheapest way to correct this would be?

 

[turbosax2]

Take the steering wheel off and realign it. Make sure you disconnect the battery before you remove the airbag. Also, don't reconnect the battery without the airbag plugged in or you will throw an SRS light.

 

[1992awdlaser]

Taking the steering wheel off isn't the right way to fix it. Camber and caster are parts of an alignment. Camber would be the one that is most likely causing the wheel to be off. The caster has to be way out to cause the wheel to be off center. If it is the caster you will also have a problem with the steering wheel returning to center by itself after making a turn. If your wheel doesn't return back to center find out why the caster is off. Ask the shop to see if anything is visably bent. If not, have them put a camber kit on it and do an alignment.

 

[oplix]

it does return to normal after turning. Also if I just realign the wheel it won't stop the car from pulling left. How much would a camber kit cost?

 

[1992awdlaser]

Also if I just realign the wheel it won't stop the car from pulling left.

Exactly.

How much would a camber kit cost?

When I did estimates for my alignments (about 7 months ago) they were normally around $30 each.

 

[hdoerr]

Yeah I don't understand why a shop would tell you that unless they do no want to do the alignment. Get a second opinion.

 

[1992awdlaser]

Also the camber kits are pretty easy to install if you want to save yourself some labor money. If not a shop will normally charge half hour labor per kit (per wheel) to install them.

 

[Superfly4943]

Where is a good place to buy a camber kit? I think I am having the same problem. My steering wheel is ####-eyed and the car pulls to the left, I have to pull right to go strait. I had an alignment done and was told that he aligned the car with the steering wheel dead center and it still does this. Is this my problem?

 

[crimsondragon]

Did you hit something? To knock out the alignment like that, you must have. I had similar cases and had to have the whole control arm replaced.

 

[mhockeyjock]

Any steering pull is directly affected by Caster, also an excessively negative camber will couse it to "lean" the car in that direction.. Just because the steering wheel is straight doesn't mean the car will follow. Toe adjustments are done to correct the sterring wheel in relation to the front wheels.

Even installing a camber kit will not quarantee a good alignment. This will only adjust the wear on the inside and outside patches of the tire. If you see an excessive amount of caster, there may be a bent/ broken front end component. You may just need to adjust the subframe. Its not too complicated once you understand whats going on.. G/L

 

[delta448]

Taking the steering wheel off isn't the right way to fix it. Camber and caster are parts of an alignment. Camber would be the one that is most likely causing the wheel to be off. The caster has to be way out to cause the wheel to be off center. If it is the caster you will also have a problem with the steering wheel returning to center by itself after making a turn. If your wheel doesn't return back to center find out why the caster is off. Ask the shop to see if anything is visably bent. If not, have them put a camber kit on it and do an alignment.

Taking the steering wheel off won't fix the alignment of the tires at all, but that's not what turbosax2 meant. There are two problems, alignment of the steering wheel and alignment of the front wheels. Once the vehicle is aligned, -then if the steering wheel is not centered...

Take the steering wheel off and realign it. Make sure you disconnect the battery before you remove the airbag. Also, don't reconnect the battery without the airbag plugged in or you will throw an SRS light.

 

[Superfly4943]

i bought the car that way but i think the old owner did because my front driverside rim has bad roadrash in one spot

 

[TSiAWD666]

Camber and Caster aren't adjustable from the factory, so if you're so far out as to induce the behavior you've described your car has had suspension damage. You need to have it check out and fixed in order to address the alignment issues. An alignment won't do squat if those are the two measurements out of wack since they can't adjust them