If a steering wheel is not returning to center after a turn, which component may be the issue?

When a steering wheel fails to return to center after a turn, it can indicate that the vehicle's alignment settings are not within the manufacturer’s specifications. Proper alignment is crucial for ensuring that the wheels are oriented correctly and that the suspension and steering components are functioning together as intended.

If the camber, caster, or toe angles are out of spec due to wear or improper adjustments, this can lead to difficulty in steering wheel return. Specifically, insufficient positive caster can prevent the steering wheel from naturally wanting to return to the neutral position after the turn, as the angle of the wheels affects the self-centering characteristics of the steering system.

Other components like ball joints, strut assemblies, and the steering gear can play roles in the overall handling of the vehicle, but they are less likely to specifically impact the return-to-center function as directly as alignment settings do. Maintaining appropriate alignment is essential not just for performance, but also for tire wear and overall vehicle safety.