So yesterday I was doing a U-Turn and someone cut me off. I had to swerve and hit a sewage return and blow a tire.. How awesome!

I got the tire changed, but now the steering wheel has to be turned quite a bit to the left to go straight; it's obviously off-centered.

What is the fix for this, and what is the issue? Front end alignment?

I'm actually trading the truck in tomorrow morning. Should I even bother with getting it fixed?

 

Alignment. I wouldnt bother spending your money to fix it if you're trading though. Whatcha gettin?

 

Don't you think they're going to notice when they take the thing for a test drive!?

 

id just go and get an alingment just soo its not that terrible, cause chances are something is bent... and since your trading it in tomorrow, i wouldnt put alot of effort in it..

 

I would, a few months back i was thinking about trading in my truck, the dealership went over it with a fine tooth comb. Not only test drove it, put in up on a rack and inspected everything. They try and find anything to devalue your trade in.

 

They're not trying to devalue anything, they're making sure they are getting a safe vehicle in sellable condition. There's only so much a dealer can mark up a used vehicle to cover any repairs it needed.

 

I can't see how it's off center unless something is bent. Did you check your tie rod?

 

Not if it's a trade.

 

I guess they do things different in Virgina. .

 

alot of it depends on the dealer as well.. some suck and some are awsome..

 

He probably hit the right wheel knocking the caster angle out of adjustment (pushing it backwards). Caster is the fore/aft position of the wheel that adjusts for the crest in the road. It happens to my rigs all the time here in Pot-hole Haven, also known as Hillsboro, OR.

I just had our Accord aligned - brand new, well 1 year old and the thrust angle was out of alignment along with a few other things. Had my alignment guy do it when Honda failed to find an issue - turns out alignment racks can go out of calibration and miss things like that, too.

 

Just thought I'd throw this out since your Honda is a FWD vehicle. FWD vehicles need alignments way more often than RWDs. If you drive a lot than your FWD is going to need an alignment every 6-12 months. Trust me, our Mini Cooper S needs it every 6 months!

 

Just another reason to own a RWD vehicle.

 

Yep!

I've traded three vehicles - at three different dealerships - since I've been here and not one has taken the vehicle for a drive.

Hell, they've barely glimpsed at it.

I love VA!

 

Got back earlier - it was the alignment. Got it done, and its back to normal.

I was going to just let it go, but decided it was too obviously off-centered.