[Chris V]

A crooked steering wheel is often tied to thrust angle being off in the rear. The car crab walks and the front wheels naturally track straight, so the steering wheel is off center.

On my car, front alignment never moves, but rear toe does (common on these cars). You can always tell when the rear moves because the wheel is off-center.

[KARMAL]

Originally Posted by kropscamaro16

where in cali are you? socal norcal etc?

Southern California, Orange County same as you! Orange Hills to be exact. Also have a place in San Diego.

[VINCETHEGIANT]

Add my 20 1le to the crooked steering wheel list. Dealer said the same thing about the suspension setteling and gm wouldn't pay for an alignment until I hit 2500mi unless there was something damaged. At least the service manager drove it around the lot and put it up on the lift he then agreed that the wheel was off center but not pulling or anything. Basically I'll make a note and bring it back after you hit 2500.

[kropscamaro16]

Originally Posted by KARMAL

Southern California, Orange County same as you! Orange Hills to be exact. Also have a place in San Diego.

oh im located in hb/oc

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by VINCETHEGIANT

Add my 20 1le to the crooked steering wheel list. Dealer said the same thing about the suspension setteling and gm wouldn't pay for an alignment until I hit 2500mi unless there was something damaged. At least the service manager drove it around the lot and put it up on the lift he then agreed that the wheel was off center but not pulling or anything. Basically I'll make a note and bring it back after you hit 2500.

It is pulling if you keep the steering wheel straight when driving.

[VINCETHEGIANT]

Well if I'm going straight on a smooth road with no steering input the wheel will be turned to the left about 3°. I really don't think the alignment is off a bunch because if I let the wheel go it stays going straight and doesn't pull left or right.

[NYblack1le]

Originally Posted by Chris V

A crooked steering wheel is often tied to thrust angle being off in the rear. The car crab walks and the front wheels naturally track straight, so the steering wheel is off center.

On my car, front alignment never moves, but rear toe does (common on these cars). You can always tell when the rear moves because the wheel is off-center.

x2 really need to do the eccentric lockout before next season. Rear toe is always walking.

[kropscamaro16]

Originally Posted by NYblack1le

x2 really need to do the eccentric lockout before next season. Rear toe is always walking.

get the spl toe rods i have them never been happier adding the rest of the kit next month

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by VINCETHEGIANT

Well if I'm going straight on a smooth road with no steering input the wheel will be turned to the left about 3°. I really don't think the alignment is off a bunch because if I let the wheel go it stays going straight and doesn't pull left or right.

What I meant was, turn your steering wheel so it is centered. It will pull then.

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by cdb95z28

What I meant was, turn your steering wheel so it is centered. It will pull then.

That's not a pull - it's just a toe misalignment. A pull is when the car turns if let go of the steering wheel, or when you have to add force to the steering wheel to keep it from turning.

[WhiteMale]

Isnt an alignment in the "free" category up to 12 months/12K miles? Not that they just do it but I thought that was a warranted/covered item in that time.

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by Msquared

That's not a pull - it's just a toe misalignment. A pull is when the car turns if let go of the steering wheel, or when you have to add force to the steering wheel to keep it from turning.

Toe misalignment=cause
Pull=effect
The proper static position of the steering wheel, when going straight, is straight and level. In VINCETHEGIANT’s case, if held at that point, then it’s going to walk, move or whatever we want to call it.
Either way the service manager recognized it and should have had it fixed.

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by cdb95z28

Toe misalignment=cause
Pull=effect
The proper static position of the steering wheel, when going straight, is straight and level. In VINCETHEGIANT’s case, if held at that point, then it’s going to walk, move or whatever we want to call it.
Either way the service manager recognized it and should have had it fixed.

This is just wrong. Please go check out some references on the subject. A "pull" is a force* that turns the car without driver input: the car turns without any steering input from the driver. Period. Toe misalignment cannot cause a pull. If you go to a shop and tell them that you have a pull but the car doesn't actually have a pull, it's going to complicate the issue.

*This is the case for even the generic, non-car-specific definition of the word "pull."

[cdb95z28]

What do you call it when you hold the steering wheel straight, and the car moves in an unintended direction?

We are arguing over semantics. I agree with your correction to the problem. My point is that we will use a straight, level steering wheel as a static base point. The reaction of the car from there is going to dictate the solution.