What is the most likely cause of toe-out-on-turns being out of specification?

Toe-out-on-turns, also known as steering angle or dynamic toe, refers to the difference in toe angle of the front wheels when the vehicle is turning. It is an important alignment specification that helps ensure optimal handling, tire wear, and stability during cornering. When toe-out-on-turns is out of specification, it can lead to excessive tire wear or poor handling characteristics.

A bent steering arm is the most likely cause of toe-out-on-turns being out of specification because it directly affects the angle at which the steering linkage connects to the wheels. If the steering arm is bent, it can alter the geometry of the steering system, causing the wheels to not align properly when turning. This misalignment would lead to one wheel pointing outward more than it should during turns, resulting in an incorrect toe-out-on-turns measurement.

In contrast, while other components like a bent spindle, bent strut, or bent shock can impact various aspects of vehicle handling and alignment, they do not have as direct an effect on the steering angle as the steering arm does. A bent spindle might affect the overall positioning or alignment of the wheel relative to the vehicle, while a bent strut or shock primarily influence the ride quality and suspension dynamics rather than the specific turning