Steering wheel not straight after alignment

**Blue2KTA** · 05-09-2013, 03:51 PM

I recently replaced both tie rods and then had an alignment done. Now the steering wheel is slightly to the left when driving straight. Also I feel like I am correcting the steering more now than before. I had the alignment done at a GM dealer that a friend of mine works at. I'm going to try and make it back there on Saturday to get it taking care of.

Here is the specs on the alignment
20 (Medium).jpg

**az gt eater** · 05-09-2013, 06:18 PM

Bad job. Get your money back and go somewhere else. There are plenty of guys that do a kick ass job.

**Firebirdjones** · 05-09-2013, 07:27 PM

Needs done again. Take it back, it shouldn't cost you anymore money for their mistake.

Also on these cars according to the Hunter programs I've seen on 98-02 4th gens,,,,the toe is set to "ZERO" (no neg or pos toe at all). From what I understand it's because these cars have such a wide front tire that it's not necessary, and any neg toe dialed in will just cause unnecessary tire wear. I have mine set zero toe (just done year before last) 30,000 miles and have beautiful tire wear.

I'm not seeing that on your alignment specs you posted.

Edit: I forgot I have SS camaro's which have the larger wheels and tires on them (like the WS6), and that's what I was talking about above. Your T/A with smaller wheels/tires might use slightly different specs so what you listed above could be correct.

**Too Fast** · 05-10-2013, 02:50 AM

Yes take it back, tell them your steering wheel is crooked a bit, be nice about it, and ask them to please be sure the toe is nearly 0, not -.10*

"Customers are always right, when they are well informed and well mannered"

Your camber/caster angles are good.
It's a saying we have at our shops. I get on our techs when they don't test drive a car after an alignment. Total toe is correct and won't cause tire wear, but the steering wheel can be not straight.

**Firebirdjones** · 05-10-2013, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by Too Fast

I get on our techs when they don't test drive a car after an alignment. .

I always make a note for them to decline the test drive, especially the classic cars. Had some not so good experiences.
On the same token I've never had an issue with an alignment, when I jump in it's good to go. I also do something that most people don't, and it was suggested to me many years ago from a buddy in the business. I sit in the driver seat while the alignment is being performed to simulate driving conditions. You'd be surprised how much it changes the alignment when 200 lbs. plops down in the driver seat, some of the borderline green areas can be thrown into the red zone.

I'm just picky that way. So much so that I'm buying my own alignment rack soon.

**Too Fast** · 05-11-2013, 03:10 AM

Yeah. We have to do that, it's a bit awkward when the vehicle owner weighs 450 lbs and wonders why the car pulls/wears out tires.

"Hey, fatass, come sit in the car so we can do a better alignment" just isn't pc.

**RONS98TA** · 05-11-2013, 04:41 AM

Originally Posted by Too Fast

Yeah. We have to do that, it's a bit awkward when the vehicle owner weighs 450 lbs and wonders why the car pulls/wears out tires.

"Hey, fatass, come sit in the car so we can do a better alignment" just isn't pc.

Yep, what he said. We had a lady 1 time that weight in excess of 450lbs and after an alignment, she said her steering wheel was off and the car was pulling to the left. I did the alignment myself and test drove the car and had no issues. My boss recommended after the 3rd come back for her to sit in the car during the alignment. After that, the car was drove perfect (with her in it) and she was happy. Its sad but true that sometimes a persons weight will cause this issue.

**Blue2KTA** · 05-11-2013, 11:12 AM

I was 2 bays over when he did the alignment and he did not test drive it.

Didn't make it back to the dealer today, will try next week..

**Firebirdjones** · 05-11-2013, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by Too Fast

Yeah. We have to do that, it's a bit awkward when the vehicle owner weighs 450 lbs and wonders why the car pulls/wears out tires.

"Hey, fatass, come sit in the car so we can do a better alignment" just isn't pc.

Ha, yeah I've been doing it with the cars for several years now. Another trick I do for a couple of the cars that see alot of dragstrip time is to raise the front end 2-3 inches during the alignment to simulate going down the track.

**cammed goat** · 05-12-2013, 08:07 AM

I ALWAYS test drive cars before and after I align them. I believe on the ASE exam, that is one of the answers. I want the cars I work on the be straight and the customers happy.