Steering wheel slightly off center after alignment

I have a 2015 limited with stock 20” wheels. Truck has 43,000 on it and the 275/55 r20 Bridgestone have pretty much worn out and I had a nail I didn’t want to fix. I went up to 275/60 r20 in Michelin defender LTX which I loved on my 4 runner.

I would usually buy at Costco but they weren’t having a sale, and my regular mechanic was much higher than tire rack so I bought on tire rack and had my local firestone total auto install and align. I’d normally go to my regular mechanic for alignment but I was already installing at firestone and my regular shop owner gets a little grumpy when I buy tires elsewhere and bring in a brand new set for an alignment.

So my steering wheel was slightly left of center before I got the new tires and had it aligned. After leaving with my sweet new tires I noticed my steering wheel still slightly left of center. Truck doesn’t really pull but if I center the wheel the truck will drift right. I took it back the next day and they said the realigned and fixed it. Drove it home and same issue but slightly better. It’s a tiny tiny amount left of center but still there. I don’t know much about the numbers so I’ll let you guys take a look. Am I crazy or take it back to them again.

 

You need to tell them to center the steering when you took it to the alignment shop. Basically, they pull one tie rod in and let the other out the same distance. You could do it. Just move them equally. They would have done it if you had let them know it wasn't over center. Oh I see where you took it back. Take it back again and show them or find another shop

 

When I took them back it’s exactly what I told them

 

Yep, I reread before you posted and edited duh. I changed out the wife's RX front end completely and took it down and they centered it up with no issues because I didn't quite have it right. If the steering coupling hasn't been disconnected due to changing the rack or something, it should have enough travel with the tie rods.

 

Take it back again. Part of a proper alignment, is getting the steering wheel centered or straight.

 

Mickeydog is correct. Unacceptable!

 

I guess I’m going back. It’s so small my buddy that drove it home said he didn’t even notice. But I’ve driven it about 60 miles now and it’s definitely off. It’s only a little. If normal is 12 0’clock, the center of the top of the wheel is probably at 11:57

 

What is it if you're in the left lane on a 4-lane hiway? You're always slightly left due to the slope in the right lane.

 

When I had my leveling and new tires put on I also had a significant off-center wheel. I took it back and they told me it was now perfect. I left and as soon as I got on the straight road I realized it was still slightly off, but nothing like it was at first. I did not have time to turn around and have them take another shot at it. I can live with a little bit.

This is what it looked like the first time:

 

Yep, that's way off. I was looking my protractor and thinking under 5 degrees of off set would be fine

 

Does it change depending on what side of the road you are on? Just the crown of the road can effect it.

I've fixed it on my own vehicles in the past by pulling the steering wheel and remounting it straight.

That being said....I just had my Tundra aligned as well, and the wheel is now straight.

 

I’d say it’s less than that only the other direction. I just don’t want to wear out my new tires. Truck doesn’t pull but will move right if I center the wheel.

 

ive tested in different lanes on different roads and light crosswind. Same result

 

If the numbers are right it won't prematurely wear out the tires regardless of where the wheel sits going straight. Its just a matter of if it bugs you or not, no actual effect on driving.

 

I don’t know if those numbers are good or not. And if I adjust the tie rod as one poster mentioned and as I just learned how to do on YouTube will that change my alignment numbers better or worse

 

Iffin you move each tie rod exactly the same amount, it doesn't change the alignment.

 

Indeed. Just keep in mind the difference between bad and good handling can be only about half a degree, which is impossible to eyeball so you need to really pay attention to your measurements.

The numbers are fine. .1 is about what the toe should be, which you have. What I mean is that the truck is technically aligned just fine so your tires are not going to wear badly. Your steering wheel alignment is not an actual handling issue, its just the look of the thing, it bothers you that your steering wheel does not look straight when going straight then any alignment shop should be able to fix that, but the truck wheel alignment is not off and not technically a problem when it comes to handling or tire wear.

 

The reason the steering wheel is off center is because the front turn plates on the alignment lift have broken or binding bearings . The plates are not allowing the suspension to move correctly. The shop needs to have the turn plates rebuilt and then they will have alignments with straight steering wheels .

 

so with that in mind, taking it back to the same place would not fix the issue?

 

does the “steering” number on the sheet have any relation to the steering wheel itself. When I picked it up the woman at the counter was confident it was fixed because the sheet showed centered “steering”

 

I think my alignment guy uses a tool, similar to the one shown below, to ensure the steering wheel is perfectly straight. If their equipment is not properly calibrated or the tech is lazy (which is most likely the case) then your wheel will be off.

I absolutely hate a wheel that is not centered and will go back and get the owner involved it they don't take the time to do it right.

Pet peeve of mine.

https://www.amazon.com/Steering-Alignment-Indicator-Tester-Holder/dp/B007SZLE82

 

After having my new leveling shocks installed (which included a wheel alignment) at the dealership I noticed that my steering wheel was off center by a tiny amount. It initially was annoying to my OCD but now I hardly notice it. Next time I have a wheel alignment I will make sure that the steering wheel is dead nuts perfect.

 

The steering wheel can be off center and the alignment correct. It was at a Firestone so ask them if you can take it to another store.

 

Mine off center to the left, plan on my next oil change getting taken care of, will post a pic tomorrow

 

Sent it back for the third time and they got it sorted out.

 

Post the numbers. I noticed on your second alignment the caster numbers are almost even. You need .5° difference between the left and right with the left side being lower. This is your reason for the pull to the right. The difference offsets road crown. I do alignment for Toyota.

 

I actually didn’t get a printout the third time. To be clear the truck didn’t pull at all before or after. It tracked straight as an arrow on different roads when I let go of the wheel but the steering wheel wasn’t set straight

 

Sorry I thought you mentioned a pull. If it's tracking straight and the wheel is centre then it should be fine.

 

Meant to post this a awhile back
Here’s my wheel position now

truck tracks straight and does not pull

 

Steering wheel should be straight.