Steering not self centering what could be the problem?

fletch

My mate had a minor incident in his car a couple of weeks ago(minor bumper damage). To cut a long story short, it turned out that the problems went a little deeper(new track rod ends needed) and he got his car back yesterday and the steering is very ropey. It doesn't self-centre, as in if you let go of the steering wheel while its turned and you are driving, it doesn't return to the dead ahead position as you would expect it to.

What could be the problem?

He's going to have it aligned and tracked tomorrow to hopefully rectify it.

peasant

getting the wheels aligned properly should fix it, especially the caster.

fletch

peasant wrote:

getting the wheels aligned properly should fix it, especially the caster.

That's what I wanted to hear

peasant

...unless something else got bent out of shape and the caster can't be aligned any more

In that case some new steering components (rods) may be needed ...or the garage put the wrong ones in.

gyppo

Could be as simple as not having the steering wheel centered when the track rod ends were being set - bring it back to them.

MercMad

What kind of car is it?

As mentioned its 99% an alignment problem !