Q: Hyundai Elantra Steering Wheel Alignment

asked by on August 27, 2017

While replacing the plastic steering coupler bushing in my daughter's 2011 Hyundai Elantra the steering wheel turned bout 15 degrees to the right relative to the upper column. The steering wheel was locked in the straight ahead position when I took it apart. What it the best way to correct this and can does driving it with the steeering wheel out of alignment until I can get this fixed cause any safety issues?

My car has 70000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Brakes, Steering and Suspension Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

An off center steering wheel can be a distraction to some drivers especially if the driver is used to the position of the steering wheel "matching" your forward position when driving on a straight away. Technically, the main issue though is the air bag clock spring. If the off center position also means the air bag clock spring was not aligned on column re-assembly, you can damage the clock spring and a consequence could be that the air bag may not function as intended. If you disassembled the column, did you mark the position of the clock spring as required in the Factory Service Manual? If not, the clock spring has to be inspected and the column reassembled. With regard to the steering wheel, although some "centering adjustment" can be achieved at the tie rod ends, if in your circumstance the wheel was already centered prior to the work, normally you will simply have to go back, disassemble the column, and put the wheel back in the original position. To have your situation resolved, I recommend you schedule an inspection and the responding certified mechanic will be in a position to determine exactly what is required and perform the necessary service right on the spot. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What does the “tire pressure sensor fault” mean in the message center?
The “tire pressure sensor fault” message is an indication that there is a problem with the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-is-my-tpms-light-for)). A tire pressure monitoring system is required for all motor vehicles manufactured after 2007. The pressurized air inside...
Coolant leak and squealing noise
The water pump on your engine is a common failure. The seal, or the bearings can squeak when it is going bad. If the bearings have total failure, the water impeller could contact the engine block and make a significant...
Break lights wont turn off after turning car off
If your brake lights are staying on, it will drain your battery. You need to disconnect your battery while the car is off or until you resolve this issue. The most likely cause for the brake lights staying on is...
I have a crack in my bumper. Do I need to replace the whole thing?
Assuming the crack is more than just a crack in the paint, I would say yes, and here is why. It will cost more money to repair the bumper than it will to simply replace it. There are many quality...
I changed out my crankshaft position sensor and distributor cap and rotor and car still won't start everything else is fine
Hi there. In many cases, a bad or failing camshaft position sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-long-does-a-camshaft-position-sensor-last) can cause an engine to stall or not ignite. However, there are other issues that could be going on with your Volvo L5 that may contribute to...
Car making a low noticeable sound at speeds between 55 km/hr to 70km/hr.
Hi there: Diagnosing 'noises' remotely is one of the more difficult things to do for any mechanic. However, there are a few things which could cause this noise, ranging from loose motor mounts, loose serpentine or drive belt, pulley's or...
Overheating only after driving on highway for while and the driver side heater won't work.
Hi. It sounds like there could be serval things causing the problem you are having. There is a possibility that the radiator is partical clogged up causing the suv to overheat when the pressure in the radiator is high because...
Clunk Clunk over bumps and potholes
Hi there. Diagnosing a clanking noise when you hit a pot hole or other bumps in the road is incredibly difficult to pinpoint, due to the dozens of moving parts that comprise the steering, drive line and braking system on...
Carb problems, if I blow air into the fuel intake, with the float needle held shut, should any air pass thru?
That is correct. There should be no air going through the fuel intake with the float held closed.

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
When When Toyota first introduced the Prius, the idea seemed to be that all hybrids and electric cars had to have their own specific models and that they couldn’t look like normal cars. A lot of consumers weren’t too thrilled...
The Best Used Cars to Buy For Fuel Economy
Saving money on gas is an important factor to consider when buying a car. The Honda Civic, Toyota Prius, and Ford Fusion all have great fuel economy.
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Love Camping
Do Do you love camping, getting back to nature and enjoying life in the great outdoors? If you do, then you know that getting there can be half the fun, and it’s even better if you have a great ride....