car drives straight, but steering wheel is crooked

[andylawcc]

just got this car yesterday. When driving in a straight line, the steering wheel is crooked to one side, but if i let go of the steering wheel, it doesn't veer to left or right and stay straight.
do i need to do a complete 4 wheel alignment, or i can just remove steering wheel and re-attach it correctly.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

It's an alignment issue, generally not something you want to fix by messing with the steering wheel... Also check your tie rod ends for play.

 

[thedarkwolf]

bah you can pull the steering wheel and move it if you want. Won't hurt anything assuming you know how to do it. They probably just didn't center the steering wheel perfectly last time there was an alignment done. Had that happen to my miata and I didn't think it was off center enough to bother taking it back and bitching but it drove me crazy for a year before I changed springs and needed another alignment. Go ahead and check for play in the suspension first though.

 

[JCH13]

It's usually indicative of a suspension issue (bad tie-rod, as mentioned) or a misalignment (usually toe being out of adjustment). If you just got an alignment they probably did the alignment without restraining the steering wheel, bad news.