Steering Wheel to the right?

[Mirageman38]

12345

[Top_Fuel]

...steering wheel is slightly to the right
...doesn't pull at all
...passed the alignment check
...ideas?

If the steering wheel isn't centered while a front-end alignment is performed, you end up with a perfectly aligned front end...but the steering wheel is slightly off to one side. My Mirage has been like this since day 1. They just don't spend a lot of time lining these things up at the factory. I just never realized it until after I had the front end aligned under warranty.

This is easily corrected if you let the alignment guys know before they start the alignment (it's just a simple tie-rod adjustment on both sides). Most alignment tech's don't notice the wheel being slightly off-center when they pull the car in on a rack. They are supposed to make sure the steering wheel is centered before they start the alignment process, but many times they overlook this step.

There may even be a Mitsubishi TSB for this?!?

Here is a Mazda TSB that explains the fix. Again, this is common for alignment techs to do this.

[Eggman]

Since you are driving a 2019 model year Mirage, all adjustments (will/should) be covered under the first year warranty. Take it to your dealer for resolution, and be sure to make note of the steering wheel orientation during operation.

I did this and my dealer found my rear axle out of alignment (just barely.) My rear axle was replaced under warranty at no cost to me.

I hope you didn't pay for that alignment. I wouldn't send you back to that Pep Boys shop for any further work unless you have no other choice.


And thanks for making a forum Garage entry. It was easy to see what model year you have.

[Eggman]

Ha no I just did the free alignment check. I figured they would be happy to make money on anything possibly wrong. As for the warranty I am beyond 12,000 miles so while it is less than a year I don't qualify for the adjustment period. It showed up right after 12,000 and I am at about 14,400 now.

Little bit of garbage how the adjustments are about "manufacturing deficiencies" but they won't give you longer... if all this needs is a better alignment I might be better off going elsewhere. With coupons you can get $130 lifetime alignments and it seems 2 alignments over the life of the car makes it pay for itself.

Have you spoken with your dealer about this? I'm curious to know if your dealer has denied coverage. They should at least check it for you and give a quote.

I had a free alignment check at an NTB, but it didn't include adjustment - just a check.

[Top_Fuel]

They said it passed the alignment check.

Just curious... Did they give you a print-out showing your current alignment readings? If they did, post it so we can see the numbers.

Kinda strange as I know for a fact this was not like this from the factory.

I don't have an explanation for why this would suddenly start happening. But know that you are not the first Mirage owner to have a good alignment...but an off-center steering wheel.

...you can get $130 lifetime alignments and it seems 2 alignments over the life of the car makes it pay for itself.

If you are keeping your car for the long run, $130 for lifetime alignments is a good deal. It will definitely pay for itself. Just pick a shop that has a good reputation. I'm not sure if I would put Pep Boys in that category.

[nickels]

The alignment check is 4 sensors slapped on wheels and read by a head. The check is not even done on an alignment machine.

You get partial results, front total toe (not each wheel), and steering angle is not factored in at all (in fact if both wheelspoint left, most machines make you "centre" the steering wheel but they don't care what the actual wheel does, they just want a front end wheel average.

[Mirageman38]

Went to dealer today and they said it was an alignment problem without checking. They couldn't do anything because apparently they rent from another shop and only do checks/alignments on weekdays. They wanted me to pay $125 for the front wheel alignment.

So I took it again for the third time in a week to another shop and got another alignment done. Made sure to get the results this time. They said something was out in the front but the back was still a little out of spec. The wheel is straightish now and my MPG is back to 50+ so that seems decent.

Is it worth bothering with this anymore? I'm starting to get pissed that every place I bring this to has different results.

[Top_Fuel]

Is it worth bothering with this anymore?

I'm going to re-post your pics to make them easier to look at.

FRONT END:


REAR AXLE:



Bottom line:

Your front end numbers are mostly OK. You have zero toe on both front wheels...which is ideal for long tire life. The camber is slightly off...but not a big deal. This is less important as far as tire wear goes. And camber is not adjustable so most shops just shrug their shoulders at this point. A shop can install special bolts to allow for camber adjustment (or even hog out the bolt holes on the strut to allow for camber adjustment) but most places won't take the time to do it.

edit - I just noticed that your front caster numbers are a little strange...doh... Never mind. I was reading the numbers incorrectly. Your front caster numbers are OK.

Your rear axle is another story. It is out of spec. You have excessive positive toe on the left rear wheel. You actually have very slight negative toe on your right rear wheel (but the right side is within spec). Your right rear toe shows 0.0 in the diagram, but the arrow indicates the number is something slightly negative. Again...the right rear is perfectly within specs.

What the heck does all this mean? Here's a picture below to show what your wheels look right now if you viewed your car from above. This is a basic diagram for educational purposes. Your eyes can't see this. These angles on the rear wheels are exaggerated (especially on the right rear)...



Your front wheels are pointing straight ahead. That's good.
Your left rear tire is pointing inward too much. That's bad...and out of spec.
Your right rear is pointing outward very slightly...but is technically OK.

So as you drive down the road, your front end is going straight...but your rear axle is trying to push the car off to the right slightly. If you have to hold your steering wheel slightly to the right while you are driving to keep the car tracking straight, this could explain why.

Can you live with this? Sure. Is the left rear tire on your car going to wear excessively over time? Probably.

Should you take it to a Mitsubishi dealer? Yeah...I would. Your rear axle isn't right and they will install a new one under warranty for free. Tell them your car doesn't track straight and you have bad alignment rear axle numbers as well. If they don't know right away what the issue is, a quick call to the Mitsubishi Tech Line by the Service Manager will clue them in.

[Mirageman38]

It's been one day since my last alignment and already my steering wheel is pointing to the left. I think Pepboys didn't tighten down the tie rod or something. Awful I will never bring it to Pepboys again and demanding a refund. I will just let the dealership check/align and get this all done at the same time.

[Top_Fuel]

...I will never bring it to Pepboys again and demanding a refund.

Before you go in and blast Pep Boys...

When you get an alignment done in a Mirage (and a lot of other cars), there is typically only ONE adjustment that shops will make...and that is front toe. Caster and camber angles are not adjustable (without additional effort and/or aftermarket adjustment kits) so most places do not attempt camber and caster adjustments during a front-end alignment.

Here's what the Mirage factory service manual says about not adjusting front caster and camber...




According to your readout, your front toe settings are PERFECT right now at 0 degrees...



In other words...Pep Boys performed a typical front end alignment on your car, and they did a good job.



It's time for this car to go to the dealer because your rear axle is out of spec. Worrying about the steering wheel position right now is just chasing a symptom. You need to correct your car's rear alignment with a new axle and then see what your steering wheel position is like.

When you go to the dealer, don't tell them you're dropping the car off for a new rear axle. Let them find the problem(s) on their own. Give them specific drive-ablity complaint(s) like this...

- The steering wheel isn't centered.
- The steering is unstable...the car wanders.
- I have to constantly keep the wheel turned to the <fill in the direction> to keep the car tracking straight.
- The car pulls to the <fill in the direction> on a level roadway.

If you want to give them the rear alignment numbers from Pep Boys, go for it. If the Service Advisor acts like he's never heard of a Mirage alignment problem before, ask him to call the Tech Line. Those guys know all about it.