I've gotten multiple alignments but I can't get my steering wheel to be completely straight. It's every so slightly crooked to the left even though on paper the alignment machine says everything is in spec. On top of that I feel like the steering 'feel' isn't as tight as it should be. Does it sound like it's related to the tie rods? To my understanding there is a outer driver and passenger specific rod and an inner rod. Any insight?

Thanks,
Mike

 

I'm not a big fan of blindly replacing parts. You should diagnose if there is a loose suspension component.

I would put the front of the car on jack stands. Do not rely on just the jack to hold up the car. Turn the steering wheel until it locks.

Try to push/pull the tire in the 12/6 o'clock and the 3/9 o'clock positions. There should be very little movement other than the play in the steering wheel lock. It would help if you had someone hold the steering wheel to prevent this from happening.

If there is play at 12/6, look for movement in the upper or lower ball joint. If there is play at 3/9, look for movement in the inner or outer tie-rod. I would only replace components that are loose or making noise.

 

@str8 tsx, Not all alignment techs + equipments are created equal!


You will be very surprised the difference between someone who knows what they are doing verses someone just fidgeting with the alignment specs to get everything at "0"

 

to check if you need your tie rod ends replaced:

Get front of the car jacked up. on each wheel .. grab the wheel at the 3 and 9 o'clock position and wiggle it. if there's a lot of movement, check which tie rod needs to be replaced as there's a inner and outer tie rod end on each side.

If there's barely any movement, then you just got shotty alignment done.

 

Can an unbalanced wheel have anything to do with the crooked steering wheel?

 

Not that I know of... An unbalanced wheel will tend to cause vibration and shaking of the steering wheel. Crooked steering wheel is often steering components such as tie rods or uneven wear of tires. Either those mentioned above or the alignment job was not done correctly.

 

unbalance tire will not cause your steering wheel to be crooked. The little bulge behind the steering wheel isn't level/straight by the way. If the tech is using that as a focal point, then steering wheel will be off.

A loose tie rod causes a delay in steering response. Steering wheel being crooked is becuase they didn't aligned it correctly. Go back to them and ask them if you can sit in your car to hold the steering wheel while they adjust it so it's leveled. I myself have done this before.

 

this so true the tracking laser machine i use is serious piece of kit, but you should get wheels balanced at the same time. have you 4 tires the same