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i just recently bought a car, a 2003 acura rsx type s, or a 2003 honda integra as some of you may know it.

The previous own had gotten in a minor accident with it and the front left wheel was hit a little. The owner said he had fixed everything but the steering wheel alignment. The wheel is way off, pointing at 2 o clock. The car seems to drive fine and true, just that the wheel bugs the crap out of me.

Does anyone know a simple solution to fixing this? or at least give me a good estimate on how much it would cost to fix it?

i'll try to get more details later.

It needs to be re-aligned on a rack. The front end may be aligned correctly, but it was done with the wheel turned slightly to the side, and the other side was matched to it. I had that on my old Talon when I garage aligned it after replacing half the front suspension, and noticed that the wheels would turn farther in one direction than the other, resulting in the tire rubbing the inner fender liner on one side and not on the other.

Effective cost is going to be that of a professional alignment, around $70.

Hold on that, are you going to be getting new tires any time soon? Any good tire place offers free alignment with the purchase of a set of tires. If you're in the market for new tires, you might be able to save some cash while you're at it.

I don't get how you "fix everything" but the steering wheel is still out of alignment. Whatever shop fixed his car should've done that too, so maybe the guy is full of crap.

You can take it to an alignment shop, and they can align the steering wheel with the wheels. It's usually just an adjustment that they do under the car.

When I replaced the steering rack on my van, I reconnected the steering shaft and performed a front-end alignment, but forgot to check the steering wheel so I have the same issue as your car, just not as severe. I would consider the steering wheel to be roughly "two minutes" off center.

Nothing taking the vehicle to an alignment shop cannot fix.

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I actually had it off the road for about a year and a half, it needed a few odds and ends but I didn't have any time to work on it.

I just got it running again, it's going on the road next week. I am probably going to make a new thread for it soon as I am going to be making a project out of it over the next year or two. I have a few things in mind...

Spaz, what are you smoking?

Theres no NEED to take it to a shop unless it seriously fubar. If you have any competency with a wrench, i suggest one of the two following things.

No matter which you do, start by driving the car straight to straighten the front wheels, then stop the car. Then depending on how big of an adjustment you need either A, remove the steering wheel and center it (you might need a steering wheel puller to do this- a puller can be rented via the loan a tool from a lot of places for free), or B disconnect the steering column coupler, center the wheel, and tighten it to spec. Problem solved.

The good stuff.

But the stuff you posted should be undertaken only if one knows what he's doing, since the steering wheel coming off mid drive is not a good thing.

Concur entirely! Point to take though is you need to have some competency with a wrench. In either case theres only one important nut to be worried about, if theres a fear use a torque wrench and sleep soundly

That's what I do, gets rid of the "did I tighten it enough?" worries.

thanks for the help guys!

I ended up not getting the rsx s because a slew of other problems with found. (i just said i bought it so i didnt have to tell a long story)

but seriously, i love this forum, you guys help A LOT!

I feel dirty and used now

Same, but I am used to it.

its okay! i bet someone else with the same probably is probably reading this thread right now!