Steering Wheel alignment

[bartmanS4]

X3 on the removal and re-index although it may still be very slightly off when you are done. A couple of tips for doing this:
1) Make sure you lock your steering column before you try to loosen the center nut.
2) Once you loosen the nut don't fully remove it. Leave it on the shaft with it most of the way off. Then you can jerk at the wheel to pull it off without punching yourself in the face.

[MSHardeman]

Excellent advice Scott. How did you figure out tip #2?

[bartmanS4]

Excellent advice Scott. How did you figure out tip #2?

LOL, fortunately NOT by experience. It came from all those car fix up shows I watch. I think this tip came from Wheeler Dealers. Thanks Edd China!
Scott

[Baldmason]

You should take it back to the last place that did your alignment. The alignment should be in warranty. And if the the problem is just a crooked steering wheel, all it needs is a toe adjustment on both sides. The shop that did it last, did not do a proper alignment.

J.R. Adams

[twalker920]

The last shop I had it taken to is really far away (my dad took it for me) and they were recommended as the best alignment shop in Denver by several people and a bunch of propaganda.

I don't have the time to get it out there and back with my current work schedule. Removing and aligning the steering wheel sounds like the easy fix. I'll give that a go. Also, my tires are wearing perfectly evenly so in that respect I'd rather not have it messed up (FWIW I am totally sold on these Goodyear Duratracs...had them since I got my VX and they weren't new then and they have gone another 22,000 miles with still more than half tread left...plus great grip in ice and snow. Ok salespitch over)

It does track straight down the highway, unless I try to hold the wheel level.

Thanks for tips all, especially the non-face-punching one Scott!