Hello all, I just officially joined though have been lurking for some time and appreciate all I've learned. I bought my 16 last November having owned an 06 until then. It has been flawless until now. I just drove my family approximately 550 miles to visit in-laws this past week. On the return trip, I noticed that my steering wheel is off center a couple of degrees to the left. At first I assumed this was related to the interstate but it persisted in both lanes and it persists even in a parking lot. So it's real and I never noticed it before. The truck doesn't pull to one side and drives fine but the wheel is now off center. The only thing I can think of is I drove through my in-laws flat mowed field at low speed. I hit nothing and it might as well have been someone's lawn I drove through. So can you think of a good reason for a steering wheel to spontaneously become off center? I'm taking it to the dealership next week for 15K service but wanted your input as to what it may be. Thanks in advance.
2016 steering wheel off center
- Thread starter kwatty
- Start date
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Could it be that it's been like that since alignment?
It can definitely happen due to simply the alignment guy not paying attention to the steering wheel position. That happened twice on my 100 series...but not randomly on it's own. -Always due to alignment.
It can definitely happen due to simply the alignment guy not paying attention to the steering wheel position. That happened twice on my 100 series...but not randomly on it's own. -Always due to alignment.
I had brand new GX460 with off-center wheel and the dealer recenter it. It was screwed in off center somehow in the factory and had nothing to do with alignment. Since you have not noticed earlier I assume something with alignment has happened. The dealer should be able to correct it.
Taco2Cruiser
Crazy American Off Road
Our steering wheels are not splined like cars from the 70s, they are notched and only go on one way. off center steering wheel is because of the tie rod on your steering rack.
You have a simple alignment off. Your Toe (the direction the front of the wheel points) is off. with the steering wheel pointing to the left, both your front wheels are toe'ed to the left. And alignment will bring both tire to the right, and thus correcting the steering wheel.
My brother brand new tacoma also had the wheel to the left, I would of done the alignment myself if he had not had one free alignment from the dealership.
I think I need to hurry up on my DIY alignment tread I'm putting together.
You have a simple alignment off. Your Toe (the direction the front of the wheel points) is off. with the steering wheel pointing to the left, both your front wheels are toe'ed to the left. And alignment will bring both tire to the right, and thus correcting the steering wheel.
My brother brand new tacoma also had the wheel to the left, I would of done the alignment myself if he had not had one free alignment from the dealership.
I think I need to hurry up on my DIY alignment tread I'm putting together.
I'll be reading that with interest when you do. How did you learn all this stuff anyway???
Taco2Cruiser
Crazy American Off Road
I grew up in a machine shop/custom car shop and on a farm. I got lucky, had a hell of a group of men who been racing cars from the 30s and on teach me old ways from early on. Just always loved anything with an engine, but I've always had a dream of owning a newer land cruiser, glad I made the jump.
- Thread starter
- #8
Thanks. I haven't had an alignment done on it. Though sounds like I may be getting one done. Will keep you posted.
I drove 3hrs to pick up my 2016 and trade in our 2008 GX. Steering wheel was off to the left a LOT. How no one noticed this during the pre delivery inspection is amazing to me. I didn't have time to wait the 3 hrs they said it would take to do an alignment so I took it home, a brand new $76,000 truck pulling terribly to the left. I took it to the local dealer the following week for an alignment. Now it's off to the right. The dealer said it "has to settle" and will be fine. 5 months later and it's still off. I'm taking it in for the 6 month ToyotaCare appointment tomorrow and it will be staying there until they actually manage to fix the alignment correctly.
Thats a bs response re has to settle. Should have replied that youll take an equal loaner until it settles & they fix it. In all my years ive never heard that one.
Taco2Cruiser
Crazy American Off Road
Sucks man, how your wheel is centered is by the "tech" putting the wheel to where he feels its centered, and then putting a bar that smashes your wheel and seat together to kinda hold the steering wheel until he's gone making changes down on the frame and steering. I would recommend asking to be the guy that sets your wheel when they get to the toe adjustment (which is the last step), just wiggle the wheel a little left and right a bunch of times until it feels like when you let go of the wheel it doesn't move at all and is perfectly strait and the guy will make fine adjustments, that way you have the wheel where you want it.
And the whole suspension settling thing is total BS, that shop just wanted to get rid of you, and unfortunately they succeed by you not coming back for 5 months, I can't stand bad shops.
This is all good to know. Alignment is one of very few things I've never done myself. My steering wheel was off left when I picked the truck up new and I'll be taking it back in for that when I have time. Taco2cruiser make the centering seem like a "wing and a prayer" kind of thing. I'm surprised there isn't a mechanical or electronic sensor for the exact center to remove the guesswork of the tech.
Taco2Cruiser
Crazy American Off Road
Don't worry, it's definitely not a wind and a prayer thing, but it's like setting up differentials, not hard, just takes time and a want to be precise, and unfortunately shop only put the guy who graduated from oil oil changer on alignment and balancing. I've never seen a certified mechanic ever work alignment at any shop, it is sometimes a good kid, but usually a guy who doesn't really understand all that goes into an alignment.
The "within green" is what they go for, and that leaves A LOT to be desired.
I had same issue with my 16. Your alignment can show up perfect on the machine with the steering off center. Here are the instruction to adjust from factory manual.
GSIC - Global Service Information Center
I try to adjust according to the shop manual but messed up the toe on the driver site. Brought the truck to dealership and drove it with the mechanic. He has to adjust it twice and now it's center.
Here is a video explaining how to adjust it:
GSIC - Global Service Information Center
I try to adjust according to the shop manual but messed up the toe on the driver site. Brought the truck to dealership and drove it with the mechanic. He has to adjust it twice and now it's center.
Here is a video explaining how to adjust it:
Is there no way to simply adjust the steering wheel position itself, rather than trying to adjust wheels?
The reason I ask is because when my 100 was aligned years ago, they goofed it and my steering wheel was a full 90 degrees off. I took it back, and within a very short period of time, they had my steering wheel straight...and as quickly as they fixed it, it didn't seem to require a test drive. So... I assumed they had somehow released the steering wheel itself to adjust it, rather than mess with the wheels.
I could be totally wrong, but isn't there a way to directly adjust the steering wheel directly?
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The folks over in the 100 forum have threads on using Techstream to reset the VGRS to center the steering wheel with just a couple clicks on the computer. After the front wheels are aligned of course. This may be all that's needed? Bottom line is that there's some electronics involved; it's not all just mechanical anymore.
Taco2Cruiser
Crazy American Off Road
So that is how you do it, except for he didn't measure any distances from the front to the back of the front wheels, to give an idea, if you turn one of those tie rods a 1/8" of a turn, you can through your tow off by almost 1/4", the most you ever want is 1/16" and really more like 1/32" to keep inside or outside tire wear from happening. Plus he never squared off the car, see measuring just the front tires by themselves gives and irregular wear pattern, you must square the car front to back to get toe right.
This guy basically did a "get it okay to get it to the alignment shop" method. His tires won't last past 20k without squaring and measuring. SO please only use that method to get to an alignment shop.
Taco2Cruiser
Crazy American Off Road
Do you have a link for that stuff, because 100 series and 200 series racks are the same, the steering wheel goes to the column in only one possible position, the column is splines to the rack and pinion input, and you absolutely do not make adjustments there, the rack and pinion goes out the inner than outer tie rods to the spindles. There isn't a place at all for electronic adjustments.
Now if you throw your steering wheel wildly off by a supper bad alignment or knocking it out of alignment by hitting a big 'ol rock with a tire, a sensor lights up a couple dash lights to tell you it thinks the alignment is probably way off, but if you return the wheel to anywhere centered or within about 30 degrees left or right (which is huge) the sensor just figures its good again or a simple clear of the code rides it. but there is no electronic adjust on land cruisers, yet. Not till future generations go to steer by wire designs
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