Off Centre Steering Wheel

[YarisHybrid2016]

The steering wheel was offset on mine when I got it. I kept an eye on tyre wear and it was even, and the car didn't really pull to one side (it would drive for a long time straight), so never really complained about it. I figured as long as it drives straight and doesn't wear, the geometry is right, and for whatever reason, the steering wheel slightly off-center.

This can happen when LHD cars are converted to RHD, because the weight distribution is wrong.

On the HGVs I drive...LMAO. That's a new definition of "pulls to one side". 🤣  They fix that quickly!

The major thing to look for is CHANGES. If the old tyres were OK then the new set suddenly causes pulling, there is a problem. This is why they recommend a wheel alignment AFTER new tyres are fitted, as the old tyres can wear to the alignment and neutralize it. New tyres (if properly formed) shouldn't have any bad habits (and is also why you need to "bed" new tyres for the first 100 miles or so).

[TonyHSD]

I do believe that Toyota cars has no problems with off centre steering wheel or alignment issues,  but the impression drivers get is because of the road camber in UK driving on the left and the roads has very pronounced left slope making the car always pull to the left and to keep it straight you constantly need to apply pressure to the right. This event also more pronounced on cars with wide and low profile tyres which are all Corolla from design trim and above. 

[APS]

On 3/24/2022 at 8:43 PM, Pww said:

My Corolla TS steering wheel is slightly off centre when driving in a straight line. Tracking seem to be fine as when letting go of steering wheel car remains straight. Toyota have carried out a wheel alignment etc but is still not 100% centred. Has anyone else had a similar problem and was it an easy fix? 

This is a common problem. Toyota cares about the wheel alignment but less so about the position of the steering wheel. They have a fairly big margin for error and as long at the wheel alignment is straight then chances are they will consider it within spec. I've had this conversation with them about several of our cars.

I get the fact that wheel alignment is the more important factor, but having a steering wheel not being straight triggers the OCD and is mentally stressful (and it doesn't sit well in your hands). There is no super simple fix. I've adjusted the trackrod ends equal amounts each side to straighten the steering wheel. It's a trial and error method and not quick.

In all honesty, we no longer use the local Toyota dealer anymore for wheel alignments. There have been cases where we've had to hand in a car up to five times in order for them to get an acceptable alignment. Several times, the car was returned worse than when we handed it in. We now use a local motorsports specialist. They get it spot on, first time., every time.

[TonyHSD]

2 hours ago, APS said:

This is a common problem. Toyota cares about the wheel alignment but less so about the position of the steering wheel. They have a fairly big margin for error and as long at the wheel alignment is straight then chances are they will consider it within spec. I've had this conversation with them about several of our cars.

I get the fact that wheel alignment is the more important factor, but having a steering wheel not being straight triggers the OCD and is mentally stressful (and it doesn't sit well in your hands). There is no super simple fix. I've adjusted the trackrod ends equal amounts each side to straighten the steering wheel. It's a trial and error method and not quick.

In all honesty, we no longer use the local Toyota dealer anymore for wheel alignments. There have been cases where we've had to hand in a car up to five times in order for them to get an acceptable alignment. Several times, the car was returned worse than when we handed it in. We now use a local motorsports specialist. They get it spot on, first time., every time.

+1 , for me steering off centre is perhaps the most annoying thing in the car. 

[Trewithy]

Over many years of driving I have found that Japanese cars in general are more prone to the effects of road camber, i.e. you have to apply a bit of counter steer, than European cars.