Steering wheel off center

Hey everyone
I have a new TRD Pro and from the day I picked it up, the steering wheel is just slightly off center. Car doesn’t pull in any direction but when going straight the wheel isn’t centered.

I looked around and notice people have various alignment issues but usually their car is also pulling.

what do you all recommend for an off center steering wheel?

thanks so much.

 

A tie-rod end adjustment is traditionally the way to straighten a steering wheel. I'm not sure if a zero point calibration is also required though.

 

Multiple videos on Youtube explaining the procedure. I've done it a few times myself. My OCD makes me.

 

I have the same issue since new… 900 miles on the odo now.

it has improved slightly… a few more potholes and it will probably get on center

 

Is it a new TRD PRO? As far as I know its part of the per-delivery service to check this. I would just let dealership fix (adjust) it under warranty.

 

I almost read this as "potheads" lol. I kid, I kid.

 

Welcome

 

Yeah brand new. Unfortunately the dealership I bought it from is pretty far away (closest I could find the one I wanted) but maybe I can take it into my nearest dealership and have them adjust it under ToyotaCare.

 

Lol yeah I was wondering if it'll just work itself out over time. I only have about 400 miles on it so far.

 

I always take my 4Runner to different dealership from purchased dealership and never had a problem. Toyota pays for all that where ever Toyota dealership you take it.

 

Yeah makes sense. I might just wait till first service, hopefully that won't be bad for the car.

 

Welcome.

The warranty covers work done at any Toyota dealership.

 

If you can test and complain for wheel balance, alignment and steering wheel angle asap you can get all fixed free of charge. If you wait till 6 months wheel balance and alignment would be wear and tear item and would have to pay.

But I paid my own money for wheel alignment and balance at the shop of my choice even though I could have to it done for free at Toyota. I wasn't comfortable with Toyota techs ability for wheel alignment and balance.

 

Good point. Ok I'll reach out to them. I'll see what they can do and if not I'll find a better shop. Thanks.

 

Had the same issue (steering wheel slightly off center) when I picked up a new ORP with 3 miles on the clock. Went back to dealer & alignment was off also. Long story short it took 3 different dealers to finally get it right. All under warranty no cost to me (as it should be).
Looking online at different threads it appears alignment is not checked as part of the PDI.

 

Wow that's annoying. I got a slot with my local dealer for next week, so I'll see if they're able to sort it out.

Thanks for the info.

 

How can you tell if alignment is off? My 4R doesn’t pull to one side or another when hands off steering wheel

 

Alignment is probably good then. Watch your tires, if you see any unusual wear that could indicate alignment, but if you don't feel it pullng it's unlikely.

And the OP's case, the alignment could be bang on, but the steering wheel can still be a little off. You can set it either way with the tie rods. Caster and camber could be correct, you just have to loosen one tie rod and tighten the other to straighten the steering wheel.

 

The longer you drive it, the less likely toyota will fix it under warranty. They’ll just say you hit a pot hole too hard.

 

Can confirm, alignment is not part of a PDI.
IN regards to tires, lucky to have wheel torque and tire pressure adjusted correctly before delivery.

 

I test drove 4 different 4Runners including the 2024 that I purchased, and they all had off-centered steering wheels. Mine isn't horrible, but it is slightly off-centered to the left.

 

2 new GX460's we test drove had the steering wheel rotated to the left by about 5 degrees when actually going straight. Who knows what hell these go through in transit.

 

Seems crazy that alignment isn't part of PDI.

And now that you mention it, the air in one of the tires was way off too. I had to let about 5 psi out on my way home from the dearlership.

 

To the dealer, PDI means cosmetics.

 

Same. All of my tires had 53lbs during the test drive and it felt like it had wooden wagon wheels. The salesman said they do that to keep the tires from flat spotting, but you'd think they wouldn't put it on the lot like that.

 

Took it in to the local Toyota dealer today. They adjusted the toe (under warranty) and it's perfect now. Thanks for the advice.

 

Oh they didn’t indicate this is normal wear? I imagine this and alignment would be wear items. Was done under warranty?

 

Yes, part of warranty. I only have 500 miles on it.

 

My '23 ORP was like this when I first took delivery of it. Within a week the dealer had the alignment fixed and it's been great ever since.

 

I had this happen with my 2010 FJ Cruiser when new. Vehicle did not pull left or right, held straight. But the steering wheel was just a tad off-center. Just took it back to the dealership. They fixed it in a jiffy. The new vehicle warranty is from the Factory. So any Toyota dealer can do the fix.