I had a 4-Wheel alignment & Roadforce wheel balancing done by a (I think?) competent shop.When I picked up my xB,the guy at the shop informed me that my steering wheel was put on crooked(its stock) so to go straight,the steering wheel would be cocked to the left.I said "OK" and the next day called for my 5000 mile oil change and mentioned what the alignment guy said.The Toyota mechanic I spoke with (they were really busy so I was making my appt. with an actual Toyota mechanic) said the alignment guy didnt know what he was doing because Scion steering wheels are adjusted with the tie rods and the alignment guy shoulda known.Whos right?

 

yeah the wheels are sometimes put on crooked but..... any alignment show can adjust that through the tierods.

 

The Toyota mechanic is correct. The guy who did the alignment doesn't know what he's doing. The steering wheel is usually "locked" in place w/ a "clamp" in the "straight" position. Then the front wheels are adjusted accordingly. A good shop will roll the car backward and forward and recheck the alignment before it comes off of the rack.

 

I agree with the toyota mechanic, i did a couple alignments myself @ school.

 

Like the other's said: Toyota Tech is dead nutz on. I put a leather steering wheel on and the instructions for installation outline the procedure for aligning the steering wheel so that it is straight when wheels are straight by adjusting the tie rod ends...

 

I had an alignment shop pull that one on me years ago. My car in those days was set up differently from the Scion, but the basic setup is similar. Alignment (toe-in) was performed by turning the center portions of the tie rods to lengthen/shorten the total length of the unit. Camber was adjusted with shims. They didn't lock the steering wheel and did the alignment. The end result was a steering wheel that was cocked to one side when the wheels were straight. I laughed and had them fix the problem. Just because the average driver doesn't have an alignment machine in their house doesn't mean they can be taken for a fool.