Steering off center

[SVT_Power]

Our explorer's steering seems to be getting worse by the day. I don't know if this comes with age or not but I have to turn the steering wheel to the left maybe 10-20 degrees in order to go straight. I've seen this in one other car, a Sierra, and that one was alot worse (close to 40 degrees roughly). I know we're supposed to change the tires very soon but that can't be the reason can it?

[Eye of the Tiger]

That usually happens because you're driving in the right lane of crowned roads, or maybe you make a lot of left turns (NASCAR racer are we?). Either way, it will throw the alignment off over time.

Check the balljoints, tie rods, and get an alignment; that should straighten you out.

[SVT_Power]

I THINK not sure but we had an alignment done before and it didn't help anything

[S204STi]

When you go in for tires have the shop check your front suspension, including your tie rods pitman- and idler-arm, ball joints, and wheel bearings.  If those are solid have them perform a 4wheel alignment, as a purely front wheel alignment can result in a steering wheel that is off center even if your front camber, caster, and toe are in spec.  

If it isn't straight when you get it back, complain to the manager till they get it right, and don't accept excuses.

Hope this helps. :D  

[SVT_Power]

Now I would write all these down if the mechanics there understood english. My mom insists on going to a Korean shop to get the new tires and get servicing done instead of going to the Ford dealership where we bought the car. So even if I wrote these down and gave it to them, good chance they wont understand anyway  -_-

[Rupert]

Tires, alignment, suspension bits.

How does one communicate a problem to a mechanic if both people don't speak the same language?

[Raza]

Tires, alignment, suspension bits.

How does one communicate a problem to a mechanic if both people don't speak the same language?

A series of grunts and hand gestures.

[SVT_Power]

Tires, alignment, suspension bits.

How does one communicate a problem to a mechanic if both people don't speak the same language?

Well I speak korean so i can describe the problem but i have no idea what the parts are called in korean lol. Actually they might understand the english wordds for the parts. I was looking through my dad's old stuff when he used to work for car manufacturers in korea (engineer and worked at R&D for engines at two companies) and parts seem to have the same name :P  

[AutobahnSHO]

Tires, alignment, suspension bits.

How does one communicate a problem to a mechanic if both people don't speak the same language?

Well I speak korean so i can describe the problem but i have no idea what the parts are called in korean lol. Actually they might understand the english wordds for the parts. I was looking through my dad's old stuff when he used to work for car manufacturers in korea (engineer and worked at R&D for engines at two companies) and parts seem to have the same name :P

According to many Ford invented the Automobile....
Why WOULDN'T everything be in engrish??  B)  

[Raza]

Tires, alignment, suspension bits.

How does one communicate a problem to a mechanic if both people don't speak the same language?

Well I speak korean so i can describe the problem but i have no idea what the parts are called in korean lol. Actually they might understand the english wordds for the parts. I was looking through my dad's old stuff when he used to work for car manufacturers in korea (engineer and worked at R&D for engines at two companies) and parts seem to have the same name :P

According to many Ford invented the Automobile....
Why WOULDN'T everything be in engrish??  B)

You know who invented the good old American V8, don't you?
 

[SVT_Power]

Okay my mom is going today and I wrote down the stuff for her. Ill post later after the car comes back

[SVT_Power]

Okay we didn't go yesterday but we're going for sure tomorrow morning. How long do you guys its gonna take them to change the oil, look at suspension bits, and the alignment?