I slid on some ice into a low retaining wall last year. I only hit it going about maybe 5 mph but the brunt of the hit was taken on the front drivers side, on the valance below the bumper. Nothing cosmeticly was hurt but since then the steering wheel, when going strait is turned to the left still steers fine just a little concerned. Is there any suggestion on what I could do to fix it, or what I might have screwed up in the first place?

Thanks
Trav

 

Come on guys, anything?

Could it just be the alighnment(sp) got knocked out of whack?

 

An alignment check would be in order. Last year ? how's your tire wear ?

 

mine was sort of cockeyed last summer but wasnt really wnough to drive me crazy. Last december i slid on some ice and hit the corb pretty hard, hard enough for the whole front of my car to pop in the air it scared the crap out of me. After that i noticed the steering wheel being even more off centered. i went to go get an alignment which made it mucho better. so just go get an alignment and see if that works.

 

an alignment should do it. While it's in, if you trust the shop, have them give your steering and suspension a once over, just to make sure everything is in order.

 

Even after an alignment, mine wasn't perfectly straight. On the Pre 96 Runners, you can pull the steering wheel off easily and put it back on so its straight. The steering shaft is splined, but there is no indexing key of any sort.

Was this on your Runner or Taco?

 

Yeah i've been putting it off for a long time. It was the Runner. I've always had really uneaven tire wear but i'v had the alignment checked twice before and everthing was fine. I haven't had it checked since the hit though. I'll do that. It wouldn't be a big deal except im trying to sell it now.

Thanks.

 

BLASPHAMY!!!!

Make sure they really are aligning it. I had been getting aligned for a couple of years by some place that was near my house. I was getting screwball tirewear up front and finally took it a place I had used years ago and trusted. They told me that it didn't appear to have been aligned for a long time. They had to take a torch to the sleeves to make the adjustment - they were seized on. Mine's been better ever since.

 

when you go get the alinment done tell them to re clock the stering wheel. mine was way of and i had the truck in for tires and an alinment and they re clocked it at the same time. easy for them.

 

Thanks guys I'll do it.

Duece66

 

Alignment is the key here. In short, setting the toe adjustment should do it. After an alignment your steering wheel should always, always, always be straight. If it is not complain right then and there.

I would not suggest removing and re-installing the steering wheel if you have an air bag. Doing so can cause the clock spring inside to break and in turn you will have an air bag light on your dash, not to mention an expensive repair. My 2 cents.

-Wrench

 

a couple months ago i had an accident where the guy hit me on the front pass wheel as i was turning left. now my steering wheel is slightly to the right when i'm going straight, even after an alignment. turns out the frame is slightly bent . not say it's the same case for you, but something for others who might have a similar problem to think about.

 

Yeah lets hope its not a bent frame. We'll see if its the alignment and hopfully thats it.