I'm noticing that my steering wheel is turned to the right by about 90 degrees and not straight up and down.  I'm curious to think is my steering column loose or do I need to do an alignment?  There is a little play in the steering wheel, not much but just a little.  Has anyone tackled this before and if so could you give me a few tips please.  Thanks everyone.

I'm noticing that my steering wheel is turned to the right by about 90 degrees and not straight up and down.  I'm curious to think is my steering column loose or do I need to do an alignment?  There is a little play in the steering wheel, not much but just a little.  Has anyone tackled this before and if so could you give me a few tips please.  Thanks everyone.

was it like this since new? if so I think the wheel is just splined and you can take it off and reinstall it in the correct orientation. If this happened while driving, something may be bent like a tire rod.

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

90 degrees is a lot. More then can be...or should be.. adjusted with the tie rods. It is known that the steering linkage is almost never tight on the U-joint. If those are loose enough it can jump the splines and set the wheel way off. Better check...now. All the way down to the rack. To reset you will have to at least remove the upper section, use something like the string process to get the front wheels straight, then slip the top section back on with the wheel as straight as possible. Then make any small adjustments with the tie rods while setting the toe. I found 2-4/32" total toe is a good spot for these Zs.
Of course if you hit something look for something bent...like a tie rod or the rack.

yes my comment I meant looking for a bent tie rod. My wheel was off 45 degrees from factory, when I took it for a ride at the dealer I saw it and told them, they took off the wheel and put it back on straight.

90 degrees is a lot. More then can be...or should be.. adjusted with the tie rods. It is known that the steering linkage is almost never tight on the U-joint. If those are loose enough it can jump the splines and set the wheel way off. Better check...now. All the way down to the rack. To reset you will have to at least remove the upper section, use something like the string process to get the front wheels straight, then slip the top section back on with the wheel as straight as possible. Then make any small adjustments with the tie rods while setting the toe. I found 2-4/32" total toe is a good spot for these Zs.
Of course if you hit something look for something bent...like a tie rod or the rack.

Is that 3/32" of toe-in or toe-out?

Carmen

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

90 degrees is a lot. More then can be...or should be.. adjusted with the tie rods. It is known that the steering linkage is almost never tight on the U-joint. If those are loose enough it can jump the splines and set the wheel way off. Better check...now. All the way down to the rack. To reset you will have to at least remove the upper section, use something like the string process to get the front wheels straight, then slip the top section back on with the wheel as straight as possible. Then make any small adjustments with the tie rods while setting the toe. I found 2-4/32" total toe is a good spot for these Zs.
Of course if you hit something look for something bent...like a tie rod or the rack.

Is that 3/32" of toe-in or toe-out?

Carmen

in.

90 degrees is a lot. More then can be...or should be.. adjusted with the tie rods. It is known that the steering linkage is almost never tight on the U-joint. If those are loose enough it can jump the splines and set the wheel way off. Better check...now. All the way down to the rack. To reset you will have to at least remove the upper section, use something like the string process to get the front wheels straight, then slip the top section back on with the wheel as straight as possible. Then make any small adjustments with the tie rods while setting the toe. I found 2-4/32" total toe is a good spot for these Zs.
Of course if you hit something look for something bent...like a tie rod or the rack.

I wonder if this could be the case with my off center wheel I posted about a day or 2 ago.  Something else to check out anyway!