Centering an Off-Center Steering Wheel Rich Velardo If your steering wheel is no longer centered, but your alignment is otherwise good, here’s an easy fix for it. Of course, if your car needs alignment anyway, you’ll have to have that taken care of. To begin with, here’s a link to a very handy Mazda Service Bulletin that does a good job of explaining the procedure, read it; http://www.miata.net/garage/tsb/02-005-10.pdf Once you’ve decided how to turn the tie rod ends, you’ll need to get under the car, the wheels do not have to be on the ground for this adjustment, so jack stands will do just fine. The tie rod end is the part that attaches to the wheel hub with a ball joint, in the pic below the tie rod end is the dark piece on the left (a ball joint is part of the tie rod end), the adjustable wrench is holding the tie rod end from turning. You’ll also need to remove the boot clamp so the rod will rotate in the boot easily. Once you’ve determined which direction to turn the tie rod (read the service bulletin), mark the tie rod and the tie rod end so that you can see how far you’ve turned the tie rod, you’ll also be able to return to your starting point if need be. Hold the tie rod end with a wrench and turn the tie rod with another wrench. Do not allow the tie rod end to turn, watch your mark and when you’ve gone the determined amount, lock the locking nut in place and double check the position of your mark again. I went 180 degrees. Go for a ride to be sure that the wheel is straight.

Tie Rod End Lock Nut Tie Rod Boot Clamp

Alignment Mark