Separate three complaints
- Pull: the car drifts to one side and needs constant correction.
- Poor return: after a turn, the wheel does not return smoothly to centre.
- Off-centre wheel: the car tracks straight but the wheel sits off-centre.
Diagnostic order
- Tyres: pressures, uneven wear, mismatched sizes.
- Alignment: toe affects stability and wear; camber differences cause pull; caster affects self-centring.
- Linkage: tie-rod ends, ball joints, bushes, rack mounts.
- Rack: a bent rack or an internal leak, usually with noise or leaks.
- Electric systems: steering-angle zero-point calibration after work on the rack or column.
When to suspect the rack
- Alignment is correct and joints and tyres are ruled out, yet the pull remains.
- Noise, leaks or abnormal assistance accompany the pull.
- Accident or underbody impact damage suggests a bent rack.
Cautions
- Fix loose components before aligning, or the readings will be wrong.
- Re-align after replacing the rack, tie rods or suspension arms.
- Alignment values follow the manufacturer’s data.
Send us your chassis number or original part number and we will confirm the reference.