After setting toe to manufacturer specification, if the left front wheel is turned out 20 degrees and the right front wheel turns in 24 degrees, what does this indicate?

When the left front wheel is turned out at 20 degrees and the right front wheel is turned in at 24 degrees after setting the toe to manufacturer specifications, it indicates a problem with the steering geometry, specifically pointing to a potential issue with the steering arm. The significant difference in the angles suggests that the alignment has been compromised, which can happen if a structural component like the steering arm is bent.

A bent steering arm would cause asymmetric adjustment, leading to one wheel pointing out and the other pointing in, contrary to the intended alignment specifications. This discrepancy impacts the vehicle’s handling characteristics and can cause uneven tire wear because the wheels are not aligned correctly. Therefore, this scenario strongly suggests that the steering arm is damaged or bent, which affects the toe settings of the wheels.

In contrast, a normal operating steering system would not exhibit such divergent angles after proper alignment. A bent strut or worn ball joint might create other symptoms but are less likely to directly cause this specific misalignment issue between the two wheels.