Steering wheel not aligned caused by tires?

[TBONE2017]

Hey, my 2017 silverado steering wheel is misaligned to the tires. This past weekend I took my truck to the dealer to do maintenance and figure out this knocking noise in my front end, which they have figured out to be the front struts were worn, and the passenger side front strut was broken internally. Which they fixed and now I have no noises, other than the "squeaky suspension noises of my suspension package" coming out of the front. Since they replaced the struts I had them also do a wheel alignment. But when I picked up my truck, my steering wheel was off center to the right,  so I took it back to them and they said the alignment is good and it matched up with how they sent it out. They had no excuse as to why my steering wheel was misaligned. So I took my truck to a shop closer to home to have them recheck it and align it if needed, which is was barely out so they made adjustments, but now my steering wheel is off center to the left. The dealer checked everything else out in the front end and all was good(besides the front struts),  so my ball joints shouldnt be bad. Could it be the tires worn funny by driving on worn struts for 10k-15k miles causing my off centered steering wheel?

Thanks.

Edited February 16, 2019 by TBONE2017
Misworded tires for wheels

[Jsdirt]

Bring it back to the dealer, and tell them you want your wheel STRAIGHT when it comes off the rack. Tell them it's affecting turn signal function (not shutting off one way, and shutting off too soon the other way).

 

This is one of my biggest pet peeves. Nobody takes pride in their work anymore. It's all, RUSH, RUSH, RUSH, to keep the money flowing. Whenever I go for an alignment, I tell the guys I want that wheel STRAIGHT when it comes off of there - I'm super picky about that.

[Doug_Scott]

Centering the wheel is usually easy to do.  Something you should understand though is that the alignment can be 100% within specs, and the steering wheel can still be off center.  The last time I did an alignment was likely before most reading this were born, so I don't know if it is still done the same way.  I used to use a tool that held the steering wheel  entered, then set the toe equal on both sides. I am leaving many steps out, but that was the gist of it. 

A tire can cause nthe wheel to be off center, but that is easily checked out, simply swap the two front tires side to side. If they keep telling you the alignment is correct, go for a drive with the service manager, let him drive and record the trip. Have him show you the wheel being centered.  Make sure he is letting go of the steering wheel.  If the road you are testing on seems to make your pull in ond direction, come back in the opposite direction and note what direction the truck seems to pull. It should pull or drift in the same direction. 

 

The most important thing to keep in mind is you check for the steering wheel centre is let go of the steering wheel. 

[TBONE2017]

I'll take it back to them the first of this next week. I'll keep you guys posted on the results. All 4 of my tires are feathered, inside and outside but center tread is worn evenly. Which I have Toyo Open Country AT2s, which also feathered identically on my last pick up, but the offroad capability of these tires are above and beyond any other AT's I've used.

 

I appreciate it, guys.

 

 

[TBONE2017]

I took it back to the dealer, explained to them that I wouldnt take anything less than a dead on steering wheel, so now I have a perfectly straight steering wheel. 

 

Thanks again, guys.

 

 

[Jsdirt]

Glad to hear that. 

 

Sad sign of our times, unfortunately, that you sometimes have to have someone do the job they were supposed to do, twice.