Gr. My steering wheel is crooked...

[itreflop117]

Well, it's snowing here in Chicago. So I was having a little too much fun and decided to drift a lil bit. Turning right, I slid into a curb on the opposite side of the side street (the left side of the street)

Now, my steering wheel is a little crooked to the right. In what ways should I go about fixing this..? If I drive on the highway going 60mph+ will my wheel fall off?

I've done some research and people say that I have to straighten my steering wheel to a "center" position (still probably be offset to the left or right a tad) and then adjust my tie rods until my car drives straight with the steering wheel centered. Is this true? If not, any suggestions in what I should go about doing? thanks guys for the help.

[cipher93]

You probably bent a tie rod or knocked the alignment off (knocked the toe out most likely). Take it to an alignment shop and have them figure out what it is. Also make sure the wheel is not bent. Consider it a lessen learned.

Unrelated, but isn't this the second thread we've had with someone doing this recently?

[Bitter]

You bent something. Usual casualties are the tie rod (whole thing, inner and outer) and the control arm. The control arm is stamped steel and will deform in an impact and actually save the frame of the car from damage, same goes for the tierod bending and saving the steering rack from damage.

If you weren't up in the city I'd ask to take a look at it myself where I work, but it would be a bit of a drive probably. I work down in Hazel Crest and we have a rather nice alignment rack.

[itreflop117]

Originally Posted by Bitter

You bent something. Usual casualties are the tie rod (whole thing, inner and outer) and the control arm. The control arm is stamped steel and will deform in an impact and actually save the frame of the car from damage, same goes for the tierod bending and saving the steering rack from damage.

If you weren't up in the city I'd ask to take a look at it myself where I work, but it would be a bit of a drive probably. I work down in Hazel Crest and we have a rather nice alignment rack.

ahh damn. I mean I don't mind the drive really, gives me something to do. what's the place called maybe i'll take a mini road trip by you.

[itreflop117]

oh btw for anybody to answer, is it ok for me to drive on the expressway (i take it to school) or will my wheel completely just fly off on me..?

[Bitter]

Originally Posted by itreflop117

ahh damn. I mean I don't mind the drive really, gives me something to do. what's the place called maybe i'll take a mini road trip by you.

I'll message you info if you want, odds are though that we'd need the car for atleast a day to inspect, price, order parts, execute the repair and align it. This isn't a shade-tree shop, we're very professional.

I'd drive the car as little as possible, if you damaged the ball joint it could fail over a pothole and just about make the wheel fly off. I think you should get it to a local shop you trust as soon as possible to have the damage inspected. If you're looking to do it yourself you may be able to, but you'll probably have to 'rent' the inner tie rod tool from pepboys/autozone. The control arm isn't too bad to replace, it can be done on jack stands with pretty basic tools.

[sequoiasoon]

I think I mentioned in whatever that other thread is also. I did the same thing in a Honda Civic (wet leaves/parking lot not drifting) and local shop said alignment was all that was needed BUT my steering wheel was almost 90 degrees off which I felt was more than that. I needed a new A-frame, tie rod, rim, AND it had to go on the frame straightener for a "tweak" of the unibody. Good Luck.

[rollacayey94]

well if u don want 2 drive so far justtires will check it 4 free n dey will tell u how much is needed 2 align n dey will tell u wat is needed n how much it will cost. i got my wagon aligned from dem dey did pretty good.

[itreflop117]

Originally Posted by rollacayey94

well if u don want 2 drive so far justtires will check it 4 free n dey will tell u how much is needed 2 align n dey will tell u wat is needed n how much it will cost. i got my wagon aligned from dem dey did pretty good.

thanks bro, can you tell me where this place is at?

[rollacayey94]

there is 1 on north ave just north of diversey. just go on there website der a couple of dem it all depends where u live. heres der website www.justtires.com