I just got my car aligned today after lowering it slightly, getting new rims, and brand new tires. I'm pretty sure its aligned properly, but to go straight you have to turn the steering wheel slightly right, then it goes straight with no problem and doesn't pull or anything. Is there anyway I can adjust the steering wheel so that it is centered when I'm going straight?

tried to explain the best I could, if you need more info please let me know, thanks

 

ok im assuming that you mean the steering wheel has to be slightly crooked.

they have to adjust your tie rods to straighten the wheel up. i did it to mine myself and got both front wheels within 2 mm of specs (took it next day to get alignment and was shown sheets of this)

 

Take it back to the alignment shop and see if they'll correct it for you.

 

Do you think they are going to charge extra for this? I'm going to salt lake thursday morning, (10hr drive) and would like it to be fixed by then, I'm running really low on money and still need a bunch for gas, so i can't really afford to pay anymore at the moment. (I'm 17, almost always low on money)

 

if your allignment is good. which it sounds like it is, if it isnt pulling or anything. then just pull the steering wheel off. and put it on straight. prety easy job.

unless your turn signals are not acting properly(cancelling too soon on one side, and staying on too long on the other side). then youll have to go back to the alignment.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 99b18 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if your allignment is good. which it sounds like it is, if it isnt pulling or anything. then just pull the steering wheel off. and put it on straight. prety easy job.

unless your turn signals are not acting properly(cancelling too soon on one side, and staying on too long on the other side). then youll have to go back to the alignment.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If your REALLY lucky that might work. Hopefully any shop that takes pride in their work would consider it there mistake and correct the problem.

Think about this...you roll in with some type of 50,000 dollar ride and get it aligned, do you think theyre gonna let the car roll outta there like that?

 

If you just got it done today go back and tell them to fix it. before they did your alignment they should have made sure the steering wheel was straight.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 99b18 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if your allignment is good. which it sounds like it is, if it isnt pulling or anything. then just pull the steering wheel off. and put it on straight. prety easy job.

unless your turn signals are not acting properly(cancelling too soon on one side, and staying on too long on the other side). then youll have to go back to the alignment.</TD></TR></TABLE>

you could do this to save cash cause they will probably charge you again

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jerm001 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm 17, almost always low on money</TD></TR></TABLE>

when i was 17 i was rich. always had money on me. things must have really changed

 

I'll right, It looks like I'll be taking it back then

 

its possible your bushings may be shot.

 

I took it back today, and the guy looked at it for about 45 minutes, then told me that he couldn't fix it unless I got a camber kit, could this be possible?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jerm001 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I took it back today, and the guy looked at it for about 45 minutes, then told me that he couldn't fix it unless I got a camber kit, could this be possible?</TD></TR></TABLE>
No, because camber has nothing to do with it. He's just trying to sell you **** you don't need - either that, or he's incompetent.

The steering wheel can be easily re-centered by adjusting the tie rods (which canges the toe).

Take it back and bitch to them. This is such an easy fix, I can't believe they're hassling you.

 

has the car ever been in an accident? i had this happen to me, but i had a bent lower control arm.(my extreme example) doenst sound right to me that the toe can cause that much of a problem

 

No the car has never been in an accident, The shop is closed and I'm leaving tommorow morning so it looks like I'll just have to deal with it. I'm so sick of dealing with crappy shops, last time another shop put my timming belt on so it was 4 teeth off. I'm so frustrated, and the stupid stores never seem to take me seriously!!

 

Check your control arm bushings

 

how would I go about doing that?

 

jack the car up and start muscling the tire back and forth. and have a buddy look at the suspension (sushings). the wheel will hardly move with good bushings. dead ones will squish and be very loose.