Steering Wheel Off-Center after tire was hit

I've seen some discussions mostly for 2nd gens on this happening after off-roading or hitting a curb hard... in my case someone hit my left front tire with the side of their car as I was turning left. Now to go straight the steering wheel is turned maybe 10 degrees left. I've seen a majority of people say an alignment will fix it (lined up to do that tomorrow), but is there anything else I should worry about? Checked for bent suspension parts, didn't see anything obvious.

 

Definitely some movement happened in the suspension. I would also be concerned about bent components. If the alignment shop is good any damage will show up then.

 

Alignment knocked out?
Spindle bent?
Rack damage?
Inner tie rod bent?
Outter tie rod bent?

Someone hit you, take it up a shop. Did you not get their insurance info? Police report?

 

Sadly they didn't have insurance, a traffic safety officer (part of the local PD) was on scene and witnessed the incident. Because of this I'm hoping not to go the claim route as it would fall on my insurance (even though it was not my fault) and likely raise my rate. However if the shop finds anything wrong, might have to go that route anyway.

 

Well, that kinda sucks, man. An alignment is a good move, though. But it's possible you could have some other issues too. Glad you checked for bent suspension parts, but keep an eye out for any other symptoms that might pop up. Hopefully, the alignment will fix the problem, but it's always better to be safe than sorry.

 

I'm hoping that's what the alignment will find, needed one anyway but didn't want to have to do it in this fashion I think I've hit curbs and rocks harder than this with no weird movement, so hopefully it's just something out of alignment.

 

Definitely get the suspension checked out thoroughly before requesting an alignment. A hit from other vehicles can definitely bend or break components.

 

Following your advice, got an inspection lined up and an alignment if noting is bent or broken. We'll see (fingers crossed it just needs the alignment)!

 

That truly sucks. It’s up to you if you care to tell the shop you got hit. Not sure who you are taking it to. They will inspect all front end components for damage or wear.

in my experience with 4wd, if the steering is off-center, something got bent. Most often a tie rod end.

 

They're going to do a full inspection on the front suspension, and I've used them before and they're real stickler about providing picture proof of their diagnosis and being thorough with inspections, so if something is up they'll have all the incentive to find it. Honestly if something is bent I really hope it is the tie rod end, I've replaced those before on other trucks and it's a relative breeze.

 

Sounds like a great shop!
We can just hope it’s something easy

 

Take it to a quality shop, not something like Firestone. Someone dedicated to Frames, alignments.

 

That's some shit insurance if you have uninsured motorist coverage and they raise your rates for filing a claim.
I wouldn't be messing with a normal alignment shop; I'd take to a collision alignment shop.

 

Good luck!
If there is any justice, hopefully the uninsured shit-bum’s vehicle is inoperable too!
I still remember in high school, I had a teacher tell us a story, about how an immigrant house cleaner without insurance hit is car. He paid to fix it, and until an envelope with an apology and cash showed up, assumed, he just ate a shit-sandwich. She ended up paying him something like $50-100 a month for years to just to make it right. Of course you can’t hardly find integrity like that anymore, what a shame.

 

How do you know they didn't have insurance? I was T-boned once and the guy told me the same. I spoke to the officer at the scene and they printed out the other person's insurance info and provided it to me. They lied to save their own ass, but it didn't work.

 

No uninsured motorist coverage ? This should cover it without getting a hit on your rate

 

Update for you all, inspection revealed nothing bent or broken, it just needed an alignment, and now we’re back to steering wheel straight again.

 

some girl ran a stop sign last night and hit me in the same spot. I think the steering knuckle, tie rods, control arm, and shocks are all bent. Wheel needs to be replaced, and possibly the sway bar, cv axle. Will also need a new fender and bumper cover. so tired of getting hit by idiot drivers. it's driveable but not for long as the alignment is so out of whack. Steering wheel is off my 45 degrees. Hoping the frame is okay.