I recently took my truck in for its annual Virginia state safety inspection. The truck was driving just fine, alignment was good but I was told I needed a new tie rod end on the drivers side due to wear and tear.

I purchased the OEM tie rod end and had the mechanic install it and then do a 4 wheel alignment. I got the car back and the steering wheel is a little off center to the left (the same side that had the tie rod replaced). The attached pic shows it fairly well. I phoned the mechanic and mentioned the wheel was off center that maybe part of the alignment was off (maybe the toe in?). He said the alignment was good, truck was tracking nice and straight, they just needed to adjust the steering wheel back to center.

I have had several alignments done on this truck and never had this issue with the steering wheel. What gives? I'm confused

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1999 ML 430

steering wheel can be and should be centered during 4 wheel alignment. Something they can do. Take it back and have them fix it.

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98 ML320 (gone but not forgotten)

So basically they didn't center the steering wheel before/during the alignment or they just did a poor job of centering the steering wheel after they were done with the alignment?

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1999 ML 430

If it was dead center before and now it's off center, they didn't do a good job. But if it was off centered, you can always request the tech to center the steering wheel during an alignment. Most of the time, they don't pay much attention and just perform alignment and road test. My e39 and the ML both suffered this off center (slightly) phenomena and both were fixed after an alignment. But I have to mention it to the tech so that they know.

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98 ML320 (gone but not forgotten)

It was bang on dead centered before the tie rod went in and alignment done. I had just had a 4 wheel alignment done 20,000 miles previously so the steering wheel was perfect before they touched it.

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1999 ML 430