Steering Wheel Misaligned After Hitting Tree?
I have a 01 subaru outback and I was off-roading, and due to the nature of the trail I ended up clipping a tree. It did hardy any damage, essentially just scruffing the bumper a little--but as I swerved to the right to avoid the tree, the tree hit my tire. (Which was protruding because I had cut the wheel to the right sharply). After I got off the trail and onto the highway I noticed that while tracking straight the steering wheel was 10 or 15 degrees offset to the right. What could have caused this? I checked my tie rods, and they seem fine. There is no wobble or vibration even at speeds of up to 80 mph. What is going on here!? Any ideas!???
Its quite likely something is bent. It might be worth your while to have someone put it in the air and inspect your car. An alignment check would also be wise.
Likely you knocked the ball joint loose or tie rod end. Take the car into an alignment shop they can get the wheel straight for you again. It not always easy to do by the naked eye.
The alignment system can be used on twin steer, rigid, semi-trailers and buses. Martyn Wood, Technical Director at Hunwick's said:”Poor wheel alignment increases tyre drag on the road wasting rubber and increasing fuel use. By aligning the wheels and and more »