Car steering not centred and not returning to centre

[ismi01]

Hi guys,
Got a fiesta ST-3 when I purchased it there was a slight knock to the n/s rear quarter panel and there was a bit of paint on the alloy from which I believe is the car or item that hit it. As soon as I started driving the car I noticed the steering wheel was not straight slightly to the left and it does not re centre it self if I make a turn. I’m thinking of getting a 4 wheel tracking done but just wanted some advice before I go pay £80.
Thanks

[stevieturbo]

alignment is one thing, if it will not self centre that is dangerous and needs immediate attention.

Could be a seized or damaged joint which could lead to a more serious failure.

[Demelitia]

Aren’t they a torsion beam axle at the rear, where you say there are signs of a bump?

I’d be checking out the suspension components for damage/bending before you bother with an alignment correction.

Having the alignment checked might point to where the issue is but having them try sort the tracking might just mask problems.

Steering will generally self centre to some degree when setup correctly, if it’s not it sounds like there’s something broken or bent.

[ismi01]

stevieturbo said:

alignment is one thing, if it will not self centre that is dangerous and needs immediate attention.

Could be a seized or damaged joint which could lead to a more serious failure.

I thought that but it was the rear wheel the had the scrapes on it so wouldn’t that have nothing to do with the front ones where the steering would re centre itself ?

[ismi01]

Demelitia said:

Aren’t they a torsion beam axle at the rear, where you say there are signs of a bump?

I’d be checking out the suspension components for damage/bending before you bother with an alignment correction.

Having the alignment checked might point to where the issue is but having them try sort the tracking might just mask problems.

Steering will generally self centre to some degree when setup correctly, if it’s not it sounds like there’s something broken or bent.

I thought that but it was the rear wheel the had the scrapes on it so wouldn’t that have nothing to do with the front ones where the steering would re centre itself ? Hopefully will get the alignment checked on Tuesday

[Demelitia]

ismi01 said:

Demelitia said:

.

I thought that but it was the rear wheel the had the scrapes on it so wouldn’t that have nothing to do with the front ones where the steering would re centre itself ? Hopefully will get the alignment checked on Tuesday

Unless you can find the history of the damage from someone it’s impossible to say exactly. The symptoms and damage you’ve mentioned make me wonder if it’s had a bump and then been fixed up aesthetically in a roundabout fashion.

The tracking being off at the front is either a very worn component or something that’s been bent, probably the tie rod.

Tell the garage everything you can when you go in so they know where to start looking.

[ExPat2B]

stevieturbo said:

alignment is one thing, if it will not self centre that is dangerous and needs immediate attention.

Could be a seized or damaged joint which could lead to a more serious failure.

This is correct I have seen and felt lower ball joints fail, first they creak, then the steering doesn't return to center and then the wheel hub will literally fall off the car and you crash.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=ball+joint+crash&atb...

Of course, if could just be bent and/or totally out of alignment suspension, but steering not returning to center is a proceed directly to garage moment.

[E-bmw]

As everyone has said above you have a potentially serious suspension issue, if you can't return the car it needs to be professionally sorted out & done before the issue causes an accident.

[GreenV8S]

ExPat2B said:

steering not returning to center is a proceed directly to garage moment.

If the steering is stiff I don't think I'd even want to drive to the garage. I've experienced 'wheel falling off' failures and recommend trying to avoid them.

[stevieturbo]

ismi01 said:

I thought that but it was the rear wheel the had the scrapes on it so wouldn’t that have nothing to do with the front ones where the steering would re centre itself ?

It doesn't matter if the wheel with scrapes is on the Queens car....your car is in a dangerous state if the steering is not self centering. It needs looked at by a competent mechanic ASAP.

First and foremost that needs resolved.

[Smint]

A wheel could easily be swapped front to rear after the event.

I'd be under that car checking everything.