Steering Wheel Off-Center: Symptoms, Causes, and Fixes

At first, a steering wheel that’s become off-center might seem like a minor annoyance. However, ìgnoring it can lead to driving and health problems over time. Also, a steering wheel that’s not centered often indicates a more severe problem with the suspension that requires repair.

Luckily, spotting the symptoms of the steering wheel becoming off-center isn’t difficult. You can fix the problem with the right tools and DIY car repair experience. Or you can bring your car to a professional. Whatever you do, it’s crucial to fix the problem that caused the steering wheel to go off-center immediately.

Symptoms of Steering Wheel Going Off-Center

It’s easy to find out if the steering wheel has become off-center. Halt your car on a flat road surface, center the steering wheel, and resume driving. If your vehicle turns left or right without input, the steering wheel has become off-center.

The easiest way to tell if a steering wheel is off-center is to stop on a flat surface, center the steering wheel, and then drive. If the vehicle goes left or right, it is off-center.

–Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

Another warning sign that you have a steering wheel that’s not centered is your car pulling to one side when the steering part looks straight.

Why Is My Steering Wheel Crooked?

There are several reasons why the steering wheel moves off-center. The exact steps to fixing the malfunctioning steering part might change depending on what caused the problem. Thus, you must correctly identify the underlying cause of the steering wheel that’s not centered.

Here are the common causes of an off-center steering wheel:

Driving on Bad Roads

Bad roads are the likeliest reason for the steering wheel tilting to one side or another. When your car hits potholes, ridges, and other uneven road surface areas, the force imparted by the abrupt movement shakes the vehicle. While shock absorbers can dampen most jolts, strong impacts might displace steering parts connected to the steering wheel.

Misaligned steering parts can tilt the steering wheel off-center. Restoring the wheel to its correct state requires realigning the affected components to their manufacturer-intended positions.

Off-Road Driving

There’s driving on bad roads, and then there’s going off-roading. Constant and severe jolts are part and parcel of the off-road driving package.

While off-road vehicles are more rugged than standard cars, they aren’t indestructible. If they shake too sharply or frequently, their steering parts can get thrown out of alignment. The misaligned components can push the steering wheel off-center.

Axle and Rear Wheel Misalignment

Driving on uneven roads can put the axle and rear wheels out of alignment. When the axle or rear wheel becomes misaligned, it can change the thrust angle between the thrust line and centerline of the vehicle.

Imagine a line perpendicular to the rear axle that travels from the axle’s centerline to the front axle’s centerline. That’s the thrust angle. It helps you see if the axles properly line up with the centerline.

The thrust angle helps set the position of the steering wheel. If something goes wrong with the axle, the angle changes, which causes the steering wheel to go off-center.

Engineering and Manufacturing Defects

Rarely, a mistake made while designing or building your car might cause the steering wheel to tilt in one direction when it’s supposed to be straight.

What Does the Steering Wheel Off-Center Do to Your Car?

Sometimes, you might continue to drive like usual because you might not notice that the steering wheel has gone off-center. Or you know about the issue but must operate your vehicle without repairing or replacing the faulty steering part.

If you drive your car with an off-center steering wheel, it might show the following issues:

Poor Road Safety

When the steering wheel becomes off-center, it can affect your safety on the road. You might struggle to steer your car in the right direction, which can distract you and tire you out faster. Other drivers might also misinterpret your intentions on the road, increasing the risk of a collision.

Car Pulls to One Side

The off-center steering wheel can cause your vehicle to drift or pull in one direction. Drifting refers to a slow movement to the left or right while pulling refers to rapid movement. Whatever the case, you expend more effort to keep your car going in a straight line. Nursing your car’s faulty steering part can get so distracting that you might not notice other objects or vehicles on the road, increasing the chances of a collision.

Premature Wear

An off-center steering wheel indicates damage and misalignment in the steering and suspension. Your car’s tires will wear out faster and its ride will feel rougher.

How To Keep The Steering Wheel From Going Off-Center

In most cases, you can prevent the steering wheel from becoming off-center. Here are some recommended steps you can take to avoid problems related to the steering wheel tilting off-center:

Wheel Alignment

Realigning the wheels can fix the problem of the steering wheel drifting off-center. The process restores the manufacturer-set alignment of various suspension and steering parts that were displaced by driving on bumpy roads. Wheel alignment also identifies any lasting damage to the steering and suspension that might require additional repair or replacement.

Regular Evaluation

Aside from the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule, regularly check the suspension. If you find a worn-out part, replace it as soon as possible to reduce the risk of the steering wheel turning crooked.

How to Fix the Off-Center Steering Wheel

In the event that you end up with an off-center steering wheel, there are two recommended approaches:

Professional Repair

If the steering wheel has tilted too much, bring your vehicle to a certified repair shop. The mechanics can realign the wheels and thrust angle to factory condition. They also inspect the caster, camber, and toe angles for any signs that these might move the steering wheel off-center.

DIY Fix

You can realign an off-center steering wheel if you possess sufficient skills and experience in DIY auto repair. However, you will need a wheel alignment machine capable of precise measurements and alignments. If you don’t have one, take your vehicle to an auto repair shop that has one.

When the steering wheel becomes off-center, it might initially seem like a minor issue. However, it can lead to more serious mechanical problems. Avoid putting off its repair for later. Find out what went wrong and fix it immediately.