steering wheel not straight after 2 alightments from 2 different shops

[79elcamino]

Re: steering wheel not straight after 2 alightments from 2 different shops

no he hasnt shown me the readings and i dont know if the rear bushings if the trailing arms are worn, they dont look worn and no car was never hit in the rear.

[79elcamino]

Re: steering wheel not straight after 2 alightments from 2 different shops

i have a heavy stereo system in my trunk, at least 250-350lbs, i assume this is causing the rear tire to tilt in, but could cause the steering wheel not to be straight after alignment if the front alignment is in spec.

[Paul S]

Re: steering wheel not straight after 2 alightments from 2 different shops

300lb stereo ? can you remove it for a test drive or add air bags / shocks to balance it out ?

[79elcamino]

Re: steering wheel not straight after 2 alightments from 2 different shops

no its been built as a part of the car, its fiber glassed and bolted to the rear deck,ill probably have to add air bag suspension, i say 300lbs cause the two tens, the fiberglass on the rear deck, the wood and fiber glass for the box, the 4 amps, the second battery, the cap,4 crossovers, plus the fiberglass to make the trunk not rattle.

[Marc Hufnagel]

Re: steering wheel not straight after 2 alightments from 2 different shops

Man, that's a pet peeve of mine! Crown of the road my butt! That's what the shops always want to tell me. I straddle the centerline on a 4 lane as well as use both lanes to check and I know the difference. Last alignment I had done I told them to expect me to test drive it before paying. If the steering wheel wasn't straight I wasn't going to pay until it was. I told them there was dead-nuts straight and then there was "everything else" and I wouldn't accept a lazy tech or lack of attention to detail. For the first time I can recall it was perfect. Guess you've just got to let your expectations and what you'll accept be known.

TL

I've had more than a few alignments on a number of cars -- until I started telling them I'll be back for a cocked steering wheel (and make it clear up front), they have been straight since then.