Alignment

Yesterday on my way home from the desert I noticed my steering wheel was off a little driving straight, the steering wheel is off to the right a little. Doesn’t seem to be out of alignment that I can notice, doesn’t pull or shake.
I wheeled my SR harder and never had this problem. Is my OCD kicking in or take it for alignment? No mods

 

Depends on the dealer. Mine will do the alignment no questions warranty for the first year.

I’d easily warranty align that for you.

 

After a couple years with my 3rd gen, I’ve realized that these trucks will go out of alignment stupidly easy. I’ve hit ruts and potholes twice as deep and going twice as fast in every single other truck I’ve ever owned, and none of them would get so messed up so badly as my 3rd gen. And when I do I hit anything bigger or harder than an anthill, my steering wheel will be off by 45*, warning lights pop up all over the dash for traction control and ABS, etc… So I paid for lifetime alignments at Firestone (~$180 IIRC) and I’ve been there 4 times now in 2.5 years, and I plan to just do once/year alignments regardless form here out (or sooner as needed). I also bought an $80 code reader that can clear ABS codes, so I don’t have to bring it to the dealer and pay them $130 and waste a 1/2 a day for them to take 30 seconds to reset a light every time this happens. I Love my truck overall, but I am a bit disappointed with how fragile these trucks are when it comes to the steering system, especially with Toyota trucks having such a rep for being so tough and indestructible.

 

That happened to me not too long ago. Went wheeling with my nephew and didn’t see a hole on the right edge of the trail and the right front end caused the truck to halt. When we got back to the highway, the steering wheel was like your photo, and like what you experienced, the truck tracked straight with no issues. I couldn’t leave it like that.

 

I hit a few ruts just creeping along so I was surprised when I got on the freeway and noticed the steering wheel and was like WTF? There is a Firestone right down the street so I’ll probably get the lifetime alignment

 

Crown in roadway perhaps messing with u

 

Crown in the pavement would have him pulling left to maintain straight (unless the pavement drains to the middle or he's hogging the left lane on an interstate).

 

Ok ......part out then ?

 

My new 2021 OR came from the out of state dealer that way (maybe a tick worse)! My wife noticed it way before me. Had local Toyota dealer align it.... ehhh, better, but they did not nail it. It wasn't till over a year later, upgrading OR shocks to Bilstein 6112/5160 (installed myself) then took to a dedicated tire and alignment shop for the needed realignment - THEN it was truly aligned.

 

Does it have a bed topper ?

 

Just saw his other thread about the scratches. Soon there will be is it totaled questions.

 

My steering wheel has always pulled slightly to the right. I don’t have to fight it when I’m driving straight but if I take my hands off the wheel it will eventually drift right.

I periodically have alignments done since I do take the truck off road and the steering wheel always pulls even when the alignment numbers are good. I have it aligned at an off road shop that specializes in lifted Toyotas. So I’m not sure what the problem is, tires are all road forced balance.

I just live with it because it isn’t annoying to me. Sorry you’re dealing with it though.

 

On the scratches, I got it so you can only see them at an angle with your head tilted, Meguiars swirl remover worked pretty well..so no part out…yet

 

No, it’s not that. I take the same route everyday

No topper

 

I’ve had 1 alignment done in 5 years. Spent many miles on rough roads, not sure why you are having issues.

I don’t think the steering system is “fragile” at all, I would actually say otherwise.

 

yes ocd is kicking in, your in that phase .These truck’s misaligned really easy i just got mine aligned and 4 months later the steering wheel is off to the right a lil

 

hmm i think oil questions are incoming as well

 

no oil questions. I was just curious as to why a dirt road would throw the alignment off

 

Mine does the exact same thing. I’ve had it aligned twice in the last 6 months once from Big O, once from a “specialty shop”, still does it. Drives me crazy! Glad I’m not the only one.

 

20 year alignment tech here. Lots of things to consider when steering wheels position changes. Road crown, tire pressure, brand new springs settling, and pussy techs not putting enough ass into tightening lower control arm bolts during alignment. Also, as tires wear, they can introduce a pull, or make it impossible to get the steering wheel dialed straight. Hell, even brand new tires do it sometimes. That being said, the front end of all the 4wd tacos is pretty darn good at holding alignment.

to the OP, maybe swap your front tires side to side and see if that steering wheel goes straight