My steering wheel doesn't seem to want to return to its center position after turns. I would like to know what parts exactly are causing this problem. I have heard it is the tie rods but can someone show me with a diagram? It's a 99 Civic.


[Modified by SixPAK, 3:34 AM 1/7/2003]

 

Tie-roda "should" still be fine. Were you in an accident, or hit a curb? I would get an alignment, that is most likely the cause.

 

I have been in an accident before, but that was a long time ago and isn't the cause. I don't mean that the wheel is not centered. What I mean is that usually when you make turns, the steering wheel will automatically reutrn to the center position. On my car it never really automatically returns and I have to manually turn the wheel so it will be straight again.

 

hmm, maybe the tie rod ends are starting to go. i learned about it in auto shop, but been a while.

 

Get an alignment, and make sure to have the SAI and scrub radius checked along with the all important caster. These are the three main alignment concepts that determine the self centering ability of the steering system. Your steering wheel may be perfectly centered but if something's bent or way out of alignment, the self centering effect can disappear.