Hey guys, so I am just really confused on what's going on with my car. My car seems like it's out of alignment...when driving straight, it goes to the right and the steering wheel is always tilted to the left. The issue is that I've gotten 3 alignments, the second one being at a very reputable shop and the last one recently at a dealership. All alignments came into spec and the dealership even showed me the sheet. They said they don't know what's wrong with the car (I'm out of warranty so I can't really put this on them). As per the car history, the right fender was scraped causing a dent but no other damage and the impact was minimal as speed was almost nothing. Also, I also ran over a fox accidentally on the interstate (was really dark and it decided to just jump on the road) but I don't think that could have caused any serious damage. There is no frame damage on the car. Any ideas? It's driving me nuts!!! Thanks!

 

Here's a pic of the steering wheel tilted to the left when driving straight.

 

Are you in the left or right lane when this occurs? Or does it matter? Crown of the road could be a culprit.

Also, I assume you have had someone look at the front suspension to see if there is anything broken.

 

Doesn't matter which lane, happens on every road. I haven't looked under the suspension in a while. Last time I did was when I took my coilovers out (a few months ago) and nothing was broken. Although the car wouldn't swerve so much to the right back then, the steering wheel was still crooked.

 

I have been having a similar issue with my 2nd gen sedan. I have had suspension checked, two alignments and two balancing sessions. Each session was performed at separate wheel shops. And suspension has been checked by my usual mechanic, Infiniti, and a dedicated wheel/suspension shop. All say my car is in fantastic condition and simply compliment it. Yet there is still a slight pull to the right. So I am in for an answer as well. For now I am dealing with it. Soon I'll be getting new wheels so hopefully I'll have info on whether or not this could be a remedy.

 

What is the condition of the tires and is the wear even?

 

3 of the 4 are 6/32.
tire on the rear right is 3-4/32 (different brand as well)

 

Replace the steering rack?

 

So if you drive down the road with no hands the car pulls to the right but the steering wheel points left?

Sounds like two issues. One is the steering wheel needs to be taken off and put back on one or two teeth over. Not sure about the car pulling to one side since youve had it aligned. Try getting the wheels rotates and see if it pulls the other way. But getting the steering wheel moved will address the issue with it not pointing straight when the steering is centered.

 

If your steering wheel is not centered when you are traveling straight down the road, then whoever did the alignment screwed up. I don't care if they were an 'expert' or a dealership, they screwed up . . Period. As far as pulling to one side, there are numerous possible causes besides alignment (bad tire, over/under-inflated tire, dragging brake, bad wheel bearing, etc.), but given that your alignment was not done properly, my first guess would be to start there.
.02

 

Also be careful where that one odd tire you have ends up. You have it in the back now, I would probably not put it in the front. Not sure what kind of impact a one different and more heavily worn tire might have on your issue.

 

Go back to the dealer and tell them the steering wheel is cranked to the left when driving straight. Like G force mentioned, they will probably remove and reinstall the steering wheel back to center as long as the wheels are straight. Definitely, shops don't pay attention to steering wheel position if it is off slightly.

 

Guys, unless the car has had the steering wheel off before and it wasn't put back right, then the alignment shop should set the steering wheel straight and align to that; not set the alignment first and then reposition the wheel to the alignment.

 

I've had this very same scenario though. Car with left tilting wheel since new. Reputable shop aligns car--steering wheel tilted slightly left (I assumed bad alignment and didn't know first alignment free if car is new). Go to dealer and specifically mentioned that car drives straight, recently had alignment but that the steering wheel is tilted. Took care of it in 20".

 

You have an X and u have 1 different brand tire installed? That's bad for the differential. I had a flat 2 weeks ago and ended up replacing all 4. I could have gotten away with replacing in pairs but didn't wanna risk it and the tires were at 5/32.

Different brand AND different tread life left seems like a dangerous combo... maybe ur car is pulling because of this mixed setup?