What could be a potential effect of having a bent pitman arm?

A bent pitman arm can significantly impact the steering system of a vehicle, leading to misalignment of the steering wheel. The pitman arm is a crucial component that connects the steering gear to the rest of the steering linkage. If it becomes bent, it can alter the geometry of the steering system, causing the wheels to be out of sync with the position of the steering wheel. This misalignment results in the steering wheel not being centered when the wheels are straight, which can create difficulties in maintaining proper control of the vehicle and may also lead to uneven tire wear.

In contrast, the effects suggested by the other options do not directly relate to the bent pitman arm. Increased vehicle speed, increased fuel efficiency, or hard braking response are not typically associated with the steering geometry issues caused by a bent pitman arm. They involve different aspects of vehicle dynamics that are not influenced by steering component deformation.